Columbus Entrepreneurs' Podcast

On today’s episode, Steve Cox joins Kevin to talk about his business venture: i9 Sports. Steve talks about his experience moving from a corporate job to the entrepreneurial world, and some of the struggles and triumphs of starting the business. As the business is growing, Steve talks about the evolution and what sorts of things they are hoping to achieve in the next few years. As a new member to EO, he talks about his experience so far, and what he’s hoping to get out of being involved in the organization. Key Takeaways: [:27] Steve shares his lifeline so far: He grew up on a farm in southern Indiana, and from there started his professional career working as a service technician for Impact Printers. Growing up, he always wanted to own his own business. His entrepreneurial bend started when he ran an auto racing school for a couple of years. Through this, he got to interact with a lot of different successful people, and decided this avenue would allow him to do something good. He and his wife felt there was a

Danielle Walton, Co-Founder and Lead Strategist of Adept Marketing, joins Kevin on this episode of the Columbus Entrepreneurs’ Podcast. In this episode, she shares the road to starting her business, some of the philosophies their company is built on, and where they see themselves in a few years’ time. Key Takeaways: [:32] Danielle shares a bit of her background: She grew up in Canton, OH, and went to Miami University for college. Upon graduating in 2001, she took a full time position with Deloitte Consulting (where she had previously done an internship), where she travelled between North Carolina, Michigan, Louisiana, and Ohio. [6:00] After about four years with Deloitte, she started looking at marketing opportunities, and she took a position at Lifestyle Communities. At Lifestyle, she met her current business partner, and together they essentially ran the marketing agency. In 2006, they pitched their business plan to a franchise company, and opened PR Store in Columbus in 2007. When they realized it wasn’t g

In this episode, founder and CEO of Two Caterers, joins Kevin to talk about her current ventures. After a successful start-up, she is now working to expand her company to a multi-unit venture. She shares her story of how she got started, some of the current struggles she’s facing with an established business and a start-up, and how EO has benefitted her along the way.   Key Takeaways: [0:30] Angela begins the episode by sharing her history and her lifeline. Growing up in Akron, education was not necessarily an important part of her family’s background. When she was 19, she travelled to Germany, worked in a hotel, and travelled and saved $5000. When she moved back to the states, she studied at Ohio State. On graduation, after a few small jobs, she and a friend started their catering company, Two Caterers. [6:38] Highs & Lows: They started their sandwich shop/catering business in a bar, and then ended up in a new location that had fallen through for some other friends. This is where the business really star

In today’s episode, Sandy joins Kevin to talk about her story and her work to make companies more functional by determining their personalities. She talks about her personal and business ventures, as well as her current company, and the events that led to its creation.   Key Takeaways: [:45] Sandy shares her lifeline: Growing up in the West, Sandy left to find new opportunity at an internship in Columbus. She worked writing resumes for a search firm under the condition that once it was profitable, she could hire in someone to run it, and be a marketing consultant. Her work ethic developed during childhood, from taking care of her family. She joined EO about ten years ago. [5:53] How did her business evolve from its first conception? She started in corporate marketing, working for an executive search firm, and wanted to do it on her own, and be able to branch out into some different areas. [7:27] When did she realize that this was something she could make a career out of? A few years into the business, she was

In this episode, Kevin meets with Kristen Harris, co-founder of Portfolio Creative. They talk about how the business got started, working with a compatible business partner, as well as where they hope to grow in the future. Kristen talks about some key aspects of EO that have contributed to the evolution of their business, as well as some ways members of EO can get involved in more of what the organization has to offer.   Key Takeaways: [0:38] Kristin shares her lifeline: her parents were very entrepreneurial as Kristin was growing up, and she didn’t feel like that was what she wanted to do. She went to school for retail advertising, and worked for Limited brands for several years in the marketing departments. Events aligned to create the best time for her and her co-founder Catherine to start their business, Portfolio Creative. [4:44] She and her business partner had worked together previously, but they knew each other as coworkers. Because they are opposites, they are very complementary of each other as bus

Kevin has two guests join the show today. Jeff and Mark are in the same forum group at EO, and they come on the show to talk about their different entrepreneurial ventures. Both Mark and Jeff have their own companies, and they share the twists and turns of how they got started, what their goals moving forward are, as well the ways in which EO has influenced and inspired them. Tune in for a fun show!   Key Takeaways: [:52] Jeff shares his lifeline — after going to school and studying photography, he moved to California to either be an actor or figure something else out. From ending up at the wrong place for an interview, to landing a job with that company, and eventually deciding to pursue photography, Jeff now owns his own company (built from the ground up), EclipseCorp. [6:39] Although Jeff and his wife met in California, they moved back to Columbus to buy a house and start a family. Turned about to be a good decision, as the market in Columbus had a lot of potential. Look where they are now! [8:25] Mark sha

Today’s guest, a Columbus Student Entrepreneur Award winner, is involved in the student entrepreneur program of EO. Currently pursuing his undergraduate degree at Ohio State, David Butcher is also running a business called FlyBy BBQ. In this episode, David talks about the start of his current business, what inspired him to become an entrepreneur, the various business plan competitions he’s been involved in, and he shares some advice for young people who want to become entrepreneurs.   Key Takeaways: [:47] David shares how he got to where he is now: His entrepreneurial ambitions stemmed from his family, watching his dad turn his normal job into a business that not only supported his family, but also gave opportunity to other community members. The past few years have been David trying to figure out exactly what it is he wanted to do. This culminated into his current project: FlyBy BBQ. [3:56] While he was working on a different idea for a business plan competition at Ohio State, his meetings led to many observ

Michelle Merkel’s entrepreneurial spirit was nurtured from a very young age. She would sell her crafts at schools, and eventually, stores. Her father taught her to chart stocks and invest in the market. By the time Michelle’s childhood finances reached $10K, she funded her own backpacking trip through Europe. She now pays it forward by instilling her children with a mindset for success, and supports them in their business ventures. Michelle joined EO to gain valuable insights from other business owners, to share with other like-minded entrepreneurs, and learn how to hire and maintain good employees.   Key Takeaways: [:42] Michelle shares her “lifeline” — She learned the value of a dollar and how to chart stocks from her entrepreneurial kin. She attended DePaul University to prepare herself for her future financial planning business. She has three children with her husband Greg, who is also an entrepreneur. [4:50] Michelle joined EO to find a like-minded, entrepreneurial community. [6:19] Michelle encouraged h

Today’s guest is Bill Troy, who will be the incoming EO Education Chair, and the President Elect for 2018-2019 year. In this episode, Kevin and Bill talk about Bill’s start in entrepreneurship, starting his own business and writing a book, and how EO has helped him navigate some of the twists and turns he has experienced in his career. Key Takeaways: [1:04] Bill shares his “lifeline” — after meeting his wife in college, he left college and went to broadcasting school, and after broadcasting school he got into the radio business for about ten years. When they switched gears to follow his wife’s career, they ended up in Columbus, and he started his own internet-based market research company, Troy Research. [5:15] What did Troy recognize in himself that he had the entrepreneur mentality? For him, the missing piece was sales. After he did that for his work with a market research company, he had the knowledge and the confidence to start his own business. [6:19] Getting integrated into the Columbus community: comin

Joelle Brock owns an IT consulting firm called Leading Edje and also serves as the current Education Chair and will become President of EO. In today’s episode, Kevin and Joelle talk about the start up of Leading Edje, her involvement in EO, and what her professional and personal goals are, moving forward.   Key Takeaways: [1:03] Joelle shares her “lifeline” — growing up she wanted to be a sportscaster, got a degree in journalism, and through her experiences post-college, she got into IT services and now is the owner of an IT consulting firm. In addition to her business lifeline, she also shares some of her personal lifeline. [7:25] Joelle talks about what things were like when she was starting her company. Her childhood influenced her financial management as well as her conservative approach. Shortly after the last firm she was with sold, despite other plans, she begin to get her business started. [10:50] Joelle has been part of EO for about six years. She attributes a lot of her company’s growth to experienc

Neal is involved in the advertising world as well as a new business venture, but also served as Kevin’s navigator as he joined EO. Join us for today’s episode to see how Neal got started in the entrepreneurial world, how he got involved with EO, some of the triumphs and struggles of his journey, and how he has solidified his identity as an entrepreneur with his new business venture.   Key Takeaways: [1:02] Neal shares his “lifeline” story. Although an advertising venture brought him to EO, back in 2004, he is currently pursuing a new venture called Maamo’s Kitchen. He shares about his life growing up and pursuing studies, and how his parents’ careers inspired him to become an entrepreneur. [5:56] What was Neal’s first introduction into any type of entrepreneurial activity? Building off the knowledge from his first advertising job, he was hired by another company — ZeroBase — to start their media department. [10:58] What prompted Neal to join EO? The revenue he made with his company, White Rock Media, qualifie

Ilya Bodner, a start-up enthusiast, joins host Kevin Stoller to discuss his different business ventures. Today he has a number of different startups — some local — and he shares his learning experience from his first ventures. In this episode you’ll also learn more about how the EO works, and hear some examples of things they talk about in their groups.   Key Takeaways: [1:28] Ilya shares his “lifeline” story — moving to Columbus after he immigrated from Russia, he started his own business at the age of 19. Furthering this experience, he had several startup ventures, and learned from the successes and failures of each. [4:44] What things surprised Ilya when he arrived in the U.S.? In this business world, he is surprised by the wide range of knowledge people have about where he comes from, and how his background affects his interactions with his projects and business ventures. [8:09] What were the major turning points in Ilya’s ventures early on? His first business partner really showed him how important it is