In Episode 5 of " This is Small Business: Next Generation ," hosts Andrea Marquez and Mitch Gilbert take you through the first day of the Rice Business Plan Competition along with the four competitors. Andrea and Mitch take you behind the scenes and share the nerves, worries, and excitement that each team faces as they enter and leave the first practice round of pitching with a TON of feedback (that you get to hear) from the judges. The competitors also go through another competition where they ...
Jul 18, 2023•33 min•Ep. 5
In Episode 4 of " This is Small Business Next Generation ," hosts Andrea Marquez and Mitch Gilbert offer a glimpse into the days leading up to the Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC). With just a few days left before the big event, the pressure is mounting, and the teams are feeling the intensity, especially after receiving some anonymous feedback from the judges. These dedicated entrepreneurs face the challenge of balancing the demands of running their businesses while perfecting their pitche...
Jul 11, 2023•32 min•Ep. 4
In Episode 3 of " This is Small Business Next Generation ," hosts Andrea Marquez and Mitch Gilbert uncover the dos and, more importantly, the don'ts of pitch presentations by speaking directly with RBPC judges. They provide insights into the key differences between various pitch formats, offering advice on how to adapt and make a significant impact within the given time constraints, while also emphasizing the importance of demonstrating your business's investability. Andrea and Mitch also introd...
Jul 04, 2023•29 min•Ep. 3
In Episode 2 of " This is Small Business Next Generation ," hosts Andrea Marquez and Mitch Gilbert break down the various stages of the Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC) and explain how the competition will unfold over three days. They talk about the mentorship and extensive feedback the RBPC offers their competitors (talk about a major advantage!) and give you a little insight into what the judges are looking for in a winning pitch. Mitch and Andrea also introduce you to two of the four tea...
Jun 27, 2023•28 min•Ep. 2
On Episode 1 of “ This is Small Business Next Generation ”, host Andrea Marquez gets you acquainted with her new co-host Mitch Gilbert, founder of OYA Femtech Apparel , a past winner of the Rice University Business Plan Competition and one of the first 200 Black women to raise over $1M in venture capital. Mitch and Andrea get you up to speed with the RBPC by talking to some of the organizers and judges and they also introduce the four diverse teams that we’ll be following throughout the competit...
Jun 20, 2023•37 min•Ep. 1
Are you ready to witness the ultimate battle of wits and innovation as entrepreneurs compete for up to $3M in prizes in one of the largest and richest intercollegiate startup competitions? Look no further than " This is Small Business Next Generation " - a podcast miniseries brought to you by Amazon that follows the Rice University Business Plan Competition (RBPC) . Join Andrea Marquez, a future small business owner, and her co-host Mitchella Gilbert (or Mitch), founder of OYA Femtech Apparel an...
Jun 13, 2023•3 min•Ep. 1
In this special bonus episode of This is Small Business , Andrea Marquez travels all the way to Las Vegas for Movement Evolutions where she hosts a panel of inspiring and diverse voices in podcasting. Andrea engages in insightful conversations with Mike Sargent, co-host of Brown & Black Podcast , Kulap Vilaysack, co-host of Add To Cart , Lee Adams, Audio Producer of The Midnight Miracle , and Lori Lizarraga, host of Code Switch . Together, they explore the importance of diverse storytelling ...
Jun 06, 2023•27 min
In this special bonus episode of This is Small Business , host Andrea Marquez goes to the Veteran Edge conference by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, an event dedicated to Veterans and military spouses who are small business owners, to sit down in a live interview with Matt Butler, the founder of Rollers and co-founder of Tally Tumbler . Matt shares his story as a veteran-turned-entrepreneur or as he likes to say Vetrepreneur, and talks about all the transferable skills he learn...
May 30, 2023•30 min
On Episode 28 and the season finale of the second season of This is Small Business , Andrea explores what it means to be a Latinx entrepreneur by talking to a Latino business owner that she admires: Miguel Leal, the Co-Founder and CEO of SOMOS Foods . Miguel shares all of the learnings he picked up along his entrepreneurial journey and talks about the importance of representation, sharing your brand’s story, and how to leverage your community. Join Andrea as she wraps up this season and fills he...
May 23, 2023•25 min•Season 2Ep. 28
On Episode 27 of This is Small Business , Andrea looks into what could be the future of your business, that is, if you eventually want to merge your small business with another business. Andrea talks to a familiar guest from season one, Danyel Surrency Jones, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of POWERHANDZ Inc. , about her own journey merging POWERHANDZ inc. with another business as well as Danyel's newest role as Director of Amazon's Black Business Accelerator . Danyel talks about how ...
May 16, 2023•34 min•Season 2Ep. 27
On Episode 26 of This is Small Business and the seventh of our This is Small Business Minisodes series, Andrea continues her discussion on product iteration but this time we dig deep into how you can work on different versions of your products without breaking the bank. Founder of Princeton Popcorn Company , Robert Ralph aka Farmer Bob, talks about how you can iterate without needing to create an entirely new product and how to mitigate any financial losses that might pop up from failed experime...
May 09, 2023•11 min•Season 2Ep. 26
On Episode 25 of This is Small Business , Andrea discusses product iteration – more specifically how do you find out when it’s time to offer additional products? First up, President of Hot Taco Inc. Leslie Pierson (who’s running this business for her son who created a card game called Taco vs Burrito when he was 7 years old) walks us through the process of creating a second product and why they decided to launch a second game. Next, CXO and Dean of Rocket Club Academy Aicha Sharif explains how p...
May 02, 2023•36 min•Season 2Ep. 25
On Episode 24 of This is Small Business and the sixth of our This is Small Business Minisodes series, Andrea talks about how you can ensure diversity within your business. Jennifer Kim, Founder and CEO of Workflow, talks about how you can create a workplace culture that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion and how to implement diversity into your hiring process in a way that’ll ensure you’re hiring the best employees possible. Join Andrea in this informative conversation that’s filling up a...
Apr 25, 2023•12 min•Season 2Ep. 24
On Episode 23 of This is Small Business , Andrea talks to two inspiring entrepreneurs who have successfully integrated social impact into their business model to find out how you can make a positive impact in your community while growing your business. First up, Founder & CEO of Iya Foods Toyin Kolawole walks us through her journey of giving back through her business and how that helped her stay afloat and even supply her competitors during the pandemic. She also talks about how giving back ...
Apr 18, 2023•34 min•Season 2Ep. 23
On Episode 22 of This is Small Business and the fifth of our This is Small Business: Minisodes series, Andrea discusses all the pros and cons of a business partnership and whether you should consider getting one with sisters and co-founders of Easy Peasie Dorielle Price and Jamelah Tucker. And because business partnerships aren’t always so easy peasie, Andrea also talks about how to approach conflict resolution like finding a mediator or a third-party, and how to protect yourself legally – even ...
Apr 11, 2023•12 min•Season 2Ep. 22
On Episode 21 of This is Small Business , Andrea takes on a topic that not a lot of people like to talk about – parting ways with a business partner. First up, Founder and CEO of SwiftPaws Meghan Wolfgram talks about her own experience parting ways with her business partner, the many conversations that took place, and how she kept the business running during that process. Next, Naveen Thomas, Director of the Business Transactions Clinic at the NYU School of Law and a previous guest that shows up...
Apr 04, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 21
On Episode 20 of This is Small Business and the fourth of our This is Small Business: Minisodes series, we continue our conversation on shipping and fulfillment with a twist – what if you want to start manufacturing your own product? Epic Water Filter ’s Co-founder Ash Heather gives us the inside information on when you should consider manufacturing your own product, how to protect your business when you start to do so, and all the pros and cons that come with that decision. Join Andrea as she p...
Mar 28, 2023•11 min•Season 2Ep. 20
On Episode 19 of This is Small Business , Andrea talks about sourcing your products with Chevalo & Monique Wilsondebriano, co-founders of Charleston Gourmet Burger . More specifically they dive into shipping and fulfillment considerations you should make when you aren’t manufacturing your own product. Chevalo & Monique discuss where to find suppliers when you’re first starting out, questions to ask while vetting them, and how to keep your customer’s trust through a solid relationship wit...
Mar 21, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 19
On Episode 18 of This is Small Business and the third of our This is Small Business: Minisodes series, Andrea dives into why it's so hard for us to take time off, even when we know we need it. She speaks with Professor of Psychology and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, Art Markman about why vacations are a crucial part of your business and how to set up your business in a way that allows you to take some much needed time off. Did you know that we have a voi...
Mar 14, 2023•13 min•Season 2Ep. 18
On Episode 17 of This is Small Business , Andrea talks about setting goals and mechanisms for your business in a way that lead to success with Renee Manzari, founder and CEO of Livity Yoga . With big goals like diverting a million yoga mats from landfills by 2026, Renee breaks down all the planning and mechanisms that go on behind-the-scenes in order to make big goals like that less daunting and achievable. Next, serial entrepreneur and senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, Christina Walla...
Mar 07, 2023•35 min•Season 2Ep. 17
On Episode 16 of This is Small Business and the second of our This is Small Business: Minisodes series, Andrea continues her conversation on money with Allen Lau, co-founder and former CEO of Wattpad, and Executive director of WEBTOON, to talk about raising venture capital and angel investments and when you should start considering them. Join Andrea for this short but informative deep dive that’s definitely going into her small business playbook. Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If yo...
Feb 28, 2023•11 min•Season 2Ep. 16
On Episode 15 of This is Small Business , Andrea Marquez tries to demystify the fear around all things money by talking about some ways to approach funding your small business. First up, Detara Williams, co-founder of Darlyng & Co. , talks about her personal relationship with money and some really helpful tips on bootstrapping, loans, and her personal favorite and current funding method: pitching for grants. Next, Kerry Hannon, senior columnist and on-air expert at Yahoo Finance who’s writte...
Feb 21, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 15
On Episode 14 of This is Small Business and the first of our This is Small Business: Minisodes series, Andrea talks to Christina Wallace, senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, about the top three mistakes Christina sees early-stage entrepreneurs make. Join Andrea for this Harvard-level crash course filled with helpful takeaways that are going into her small business playbook. Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If you have questions – or maybe a small business story you’d like to s...
Feb 14, 2023•13 min•Season 2Ep. 14
On Episode 13 of This is Small Business , Andrea talks to Justin Forsett, former NFL player and founder of the company Hustle Clean , about getting your small business off the ground (especially if it’s your first venture into the world of business). Justin talks about establishing your “why,” creating a “huddle” for your business, and the essential points that are often overlooked when starting a business. Next, business strategist Serwaa Adjei-Pellé shares why entrepreneurs struggle to get sta...
Feb 07, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Amazon’s This is Small Business is back for a second season with weekly episodes that dig deep into the pivotal moments that small business owners face and conquer on their journey to success. Andrea Marquez, a curious millennial and possibly a future small business owner, continues to investigate what makes a successful small business boom by talking to industry experts and small business owners from all over about how to start, build, and grow a business. We’re also introducing This is Small B...
Jan 31, 2023•2 min
On the Season Finale of This is Small Business , Andrea sits down with Danyel Surrency Jones, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of POWERHANDZ Inc. , as they listen to highlights from previous episodes. Danyel Surrency Jones shares her valuable insights as a CEO/entrepreneur on how to start, build, and grow a company and discusses how each of these moments resonates with her and relates to her own journey with her company. Join Andrea as she goes over some of her favorite lessons and rev...
Nov 01, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 12
On Episode 11 of This is Small Business , Andrea tackles getting ready for the holidays with Fort Boards Founder, August Graube, and Edward Anderson, a Professor for Management of Innovative Technology. The holidays are coming – busy sidewalks and shoppers walking home with their “treasures” – are you ready for them? This is a question that all small businesses need to consider as they prep for a big consumer season such as the winter holidays. What is the checklist to prepare for and leverage a...
Oct 18, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 11
On Episode 10 of This is Small Business , Andrea learns a few tricks for hiring a super team when she speaks with Kyle Goguen, Owner and Founder of Pawstruck , and hiring expert Dr. Brad Smart, Author of ‘Topgrading.’ Hiring is one of the trickiest – but most important – aspects of running a small business. Assembling the right team of people at the right time can mean the difference between growth and stagnation. But how do you find the right people to join your team, and avoid hiring the wrong...
Oct 04, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 10
On Episode 9 of This is Small Business , Andrea dives deep into going from “brick and mortar” to the world of online sales with handmade small business owner Ruby Hong of Beets & Apples , and online sales specialist Nicole Leinbach of RetailMinded.com. Going online can feel intimidating at first, but it’s a must and increasingly important in order to stay competitive and scale up. As you make this switch, how do you plan for increased sales and keep up with distribution challenges? And where...
Sep 20, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 9
On Episode 8 of This is Small Business , Andrea talks about the unboxing experience with Daniel Singer, Founder & CEO of Filthy Foods , and design specialist Kaila Piepkow, Creative Director and Owner of Dox Design. They say don’t judge a book by its cover… but let’s face it, a lot of people do. When it comes to the moment a customer unboxes your product, it matters. But how much? And how do you ensure that your packaging fits your product and suits your customers? Join Andrea as she learns ...
Sep 06, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 8
