In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, hosted by Mark McNees and powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, we welcome back Junior Re from Road to Open. Junior shares exciting updates on his brand, recounting his first official merchandise drop and the creative marketing strategies he's employing, such as SMS lists, giveaways, and partnerships with tournament directors. He also discusses his content creation journey, from gaining followers on social media to planning lo...
May 28, 2025•49 min•Ep. 74
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, host Mark McNees sits down with ReNita Bowman, founder and CEO of 'We Maid It Tallahassee.' Renita shares her inspiring journey from working in state government to launching a successful janitorial company during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses her entrepreneurial influences, the challenges she faced, and the lessons she learned through the Jim Moran Institute's Small Business Executi...
May 16, 2025•30 min•Ep. 73
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, host Mark McNeese engages in a lively conversation with Daniel Underwood of Affiliate Edge. Daniel shares his journey of running a TikTok shop and delves into the ins and outs of successful product promotion on the platform. They discuss the intricacies of creating viral content, the importance of analytics, and the concept behind Affiliate Edge. Daniel also reveals how selling products on ...
Apr 28, 2025•31 min•Ep. 72
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, host Mark McNees sits down with social media influencer Ashton Herndon. Ashton shares his journey from a passionate yet introverted teenager to a confident content creator with millions of views on TikTok and YouTube. They delve into Ashton's college experience at Florida State University, the evolution of his content, and how he navigates the challenges of balancing personal life and onlin...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 71
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, host Mark McNees speaks with Dr. Ashlee Fontes, the founder and head coach of TLH Reckoning. Dr. Fontes shares her journey from a childhood filled with sports, including American football through her father’s coaching career, to becoming a college athlete at Florida State University. She discusses the challenges she faced, including transitioning from college sports to professional aspirations during a time when opportunities for women’s prof...
Apr 14, 2025•42 min•Ep. 70
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, hosted by Mark McNees and powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, we welcome Gerry Gonzalez, the founder and CEO of Coal Plunge Community. Gerry, a former student and president of the FSU Beach Volleyball Club, shares his journey into the world of cold plunging. He discusses the numerous physical and mental benefits, the social aspects of cold plunges, and how he turned it into a thriving business. Gerry delves into the challeng...
Mar 23, 2025•38 min•Ep. 69
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, host Mark McNees sits down with emerging hip-hop artist A$H. A$H shares his musical journey from theater and choir in his younger years to seriously pursuing his passion during high school. He talks about creating his first song during the COVID-19 pandemic and how constructive criticism shaped his authentic style. Ash discusses his process for creating music, including how he finds and sel...
Mar 02, 2025•37 min•Ep. 68
Welcome to another episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship! In this episode, we have Sherman William Jr., CEO and founder of Body Water, joining us remotely from Alabama. Sherman shares his incredible journey from serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom to discovering the vital role of hydration and eventually creating Body Aqua, a health beverage line designed to enhance cognitive and physical wellbeing. Hear Sherman’s challenges, including n...
Feb 25, 2025•30 min•Ep. 67
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, hosted by Mark McNees and powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, meet Ashton Colson, Gabriel Brewer, and Nathan Brewer - the co-founders of the streetwear brand New Wave Boys. Hailing from Tampa, Florida, they share their inspirational journey from high school friends to college entrepreneurs at Florida State University. Learn about their brand's focus on innovation and standing out, their unique approach to marketing, and the ...
Feb 16, 2025•30 min•Ep. 66
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, host Mark McNees sits down with Jack Carmignani, founder of Nextus Digital Solutions. Jack shares his journey from growing up in Philadelphia and moving to Florida, transitioning from a finance major at the University of Miami to starting his own digital branding and design firm. He discusses the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, his company’s focus on helping brands scale online, and the importance of networking. Jack also offers v...
Feb 12, 2025•37 min•Ep. 65
Join host Mark McNees in this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, as he sits down with Junior Reed, the founder and CEO of 'Road to Open.' Junior shares his journey from high school football injuries to becoming a passionate beach volleyball player and entrepreneur. Learn about the origins of his athletic brand aimed at inspiring athletes to love the progression process. Junior talks about his experiences, challenges, and goals with...
Feb 06, 2025•27 min•Ep. 64
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, hosted by Mark McNees and powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, Ashley Guy, CEO and founder of Tallulah, shares her inspiring journey from a teacher to a successful entrepreneur. Ashley discusses her move from Seattle to Tallahassee, her foray into the CBD industry, and the evolution of her business. Listeners will learn about the diverse range of products offered at Tallulah, including CBD, THC, kava, kratom, and the latest a...
Jan 13, 2025•41 min•Ep. 63
Welcome back to the InNOLEvation Mindset podcast, powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. In this episode, student host Alana Espenship sits down with KJ Forrestal, co-founder of the popular clothing rental app, RAID. KJ shares her journey from college student at FSU to successful entrepreneur, discussing how she got her start in women's fashion with a failed e-commerce venture which led to valuable lessons about manufacturing and sustainability. They delve into the creation and ex...
Jan 06, 2025•23 min•Ep. 62
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset, with Student Host, Meadow Manfredini and powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, we dive deep into the story of the Innovation Hub at Florida State University (FSU) with Ken Balduff, its founding director. Ken shares his journey from music theory to computer science and eventually to establishing the Innovation Hub. He discusses how the Hub provides students access to emerging technologies such as 3D printers and virtual reality headset...
Jan 05, 2025•28 min•Ep. 61
In this episode of InNOLEvation(r) Mindset powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, student host Menno Manfredini interviews FSU students Hugo Davies and Ryan, who share their entrepreneurial journey and current project, Bebop. Hugo, a STEM entrepreneurship major, and Ryan, a computer science major, discuss their backgrounds, how they met, and the innovative idea behind Bebop—an app aimed at enhancing music discovery by integrating AI and social connections. They delve into their go...
Jan 05, 2025•28 min•Ep. 60
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, Student Marina Herrera hosts Professor Melissa Rauer from the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at FSU. They discuss her background, journey to FSU, and work with veteran entrepreneurship programs. Professor Rauer shares insights into the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans' Families and the Accelerate program, providing invaluable support for veteran business owners. They also delve into the various opportunities and resources availab...
Jan 03, 2025•22 min•Ep. 59
Join us for an insightful episode of the InNOLEvation(r) Mindset, powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. Student Host Jules Johannemann sits down with Mr. Bob Garner, a seasoned professor and FSU alumnus, to explore his extensive career journey from the logistics industry to franchising, and eventually teaching. Bob shares his experiences in scaling businesses, the dynamics of franchising, and valuable lessons in leadership. Discover the significance of cultivating a supportive wo...
Dec 03, 2024•18 min•Ep. 58
In this captivating episode of the InNOLEvation(r) Mindset Podcast, host Mark McNees interviews Calonda Henry from Broad Horizons Speech Therapy. Calonda shares her journey from growing up in Jacksonville, obtaining her degrees, and starting her own speech therapy practice. She discusses the intricacies of speech and language pathology, her experiences working with children, and tackling speech issues like stuttering. Calendar also reveals what led her to entrepreneurship and details her experie...
Nov 18, 2024•35 min•Ep. 57
In this engaging episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset, host Mark McNees welcomes podcasting students Marina and Jules from the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. They discuss their interests in podcasting, their favorite podcasts, and the impact of podcasting on political communication. The conversation also covers their experiences as first-time voters, the evolution of media trust, and their thoughts on the future of political information dissemination. Tune in to hear their insights and l...
Nov 02, 2024•40 min•Ep. 56
In this engaging episode of The InNOLEvation® Mindset, student host Jules Johannemann and her father Scott Johannemann, a FSU alumni, discuss their journey from academics to entrepreneurship. They reflect on Scott's transition from a teaching career to co-owning Forever Fierce, and share insights on maintaining balance between family and business. Topics include the importance of relationships, sustainable business growth, managing anxiety, and leveraging international talent. This episode is pa...
Oct 27, 2024•46 min•Ep. 55
In this compelling episode of InNOLEvation® Mindset, powered by The Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, we explore the remarkable journey of another Jim Moran Institute graduate, David "Sexy May" Muir, the co-founder of Island Syndicate. Discover David's evolution from a hobbyist photographer in Jamaica to a media mogul, participating content creator of the nationally acclaimed Caribbean cooking show 'Taste the Islands.' Dive into the origins of Island Syndicate's diverse ventures, including ...
Oct 19, 2024•44 min•Ep. 54
In this episode of the Innovation Mindset, host Mark McNees interviews Dr. Jenny Quartano, a dual board-certified physical therapist and the founder of All Together Wellness Doctors. Dr. Quartano shares her journey from growing up in Wisconsin to establishing her practice in Jacksonville, Florida. Her mission is to help patients and families thrive outside traditional healthcare constraints, focusing on holistic approaches. Discover her insights on bridging gaps in healthcare, mentorship's impac...
Oct 11, 2024•26 min•Ep. 53
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, host Mark McNees speaks with Bennett Napier of Partners and Association Management. Bennett shares insights into the niche industry of association management, which involves managing day-to-day operations for non-profit organizations. The conversation touches on Bennett's educational journey at Florida State University (FSU), involvement with the Jim Moran Institute, and his role in the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. Napier discusses the ad...
Oct 07, 2024•27 min•Ep. 52
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. Sh...
Sep 30, 2024•25 min•Ep. 51
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 a...
Sep 23, 2024•37 min•Ep. 50
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'...
Sep 16, 2024•26 min•Ep. 49
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 Mora...
Sep 09, 2024•21 min•Ep. 48
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...
Sep 02, 2024•36 min•Ep. 47
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 ...
Aug 19, 2024•34 min•Ep. 46
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 selli...
Aug 12, 2024•19 min•Ep. 45
