Freshmen Founders

Channing and Makenzie revisit the concept of validating your idea before starting a business.  Getting feedback from potential customers,  determining your market size, and estimating potential costs and expenses are all important before launching. They share tools for first time founders and give insight on how a business is constantly changing.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message

Channing and Makenzie recently took the rest of the EVA team on a company retreat. They talk about what they worked on during that time and how important it is to get face time with their team. The team looks a lot different than it did at their first retreat so they reminisce on how they've grown and what their goals are now. Company culture is something they touch on and how they make it a priority even as a small team.   --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message

Channing and Makenzie return for season 4! They discuss Makenzie's move to Austin and how it impacts their business, the growth of their team, and how they are managing in 2021. The founders also discuss the importance of timing, and that even the best ideas can sometimes be too early.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message

We are THRILLED that 2020 is coming to an end. While it was extremely difficult at times we do believe we came out of this better both personally and professionally. The theme of EVA's 2020 was accelerated iteration. We had to change our model fast when the pandemic hit and it was not something we could have done without our team. In this episode we discuss how our company culture has improved, hiring/firing, and What 2021 holds for us.   --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message

Now it's Makenzie's turn to be in the hot seat. Channing gets Makenzie to open up about who she is and what makes her tick. She discusses her strengths and weaknesses, her influences and interests, and how many bones she's broken. We love feedback! founders@freshmenfounders.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message

In this episode Makenzie takes on the challenge of getting Channing to talk about herself. We thought it would be interesting to interview one another and see what questions we didn't already know the answers to. We learn a little more about Channing's way of thinking in personal and professional life. You can ask us questions, provide feedback, or just say hey at founders@freshmenfounders.com  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message

Warner Carpenter, our software developer, joins us on the podcast. We talk about how he pitched himself for a full time position when we weren't even hiring (and got it), and what it's like working for a startup. He discusses the similarities between music and code and how he transitioned into programming. You can reach us at founders@freshmenfounders.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message

Running a company is hard enough without a pandemic, but when one hits things get tougher for every business. We've talked about our pivot and some challenges we've faced in the company but on this episode we get more personal. We talk about how we stay motivated, how we get out of a funk, and how important communication is within a team. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message

We discuss some of our most embarrassing moments as first time founders. We record in a new studio with a few new fun tools that add to the awkward moments. In this episode we are very candid and open up how we've grown.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message

We check back in with Gordon and how his business is doing during the pandemic. Last time we talked we discussed him potentially partnering with another company, so he gives us an update on what happened there. We also discuss how the live music industry may look in the future.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message

You know those days when everything feels like it's falling into place? We were grateful to have one, especially in these continued wild times, so we went more off script than ever. This episode is all about what our pandemic pivot has been like for our company and we also reflect on previous pivots made. It's been unnerving to build a business during this time, but there have been lessons learned and experiences made that we wanted to share with you! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message

The better the brand, the better the business...right? While a beautiful brand isn't the only thing that makes a business, it is a very important piece. A well thought out brand gives your customers confidence that you can do what you say you can, and our brand...was not cutting it. In this episode we discuss what exercises helped us prepare for the rebrand, the creative journey itself, and tips and tricks we learned from a top notch branding agency. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message

Our roles have changed a lot while building our company. Sometimes it was forced due to our business’s evolution, and at other times it was decided as we found a better path forward. We wanted to be open and honest about all of it. On this episode, we talk about becoming Co-CEOs together this year, and why we insist that our team members act as leaders alongside us as well. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message

Season 3 is here! We had to get creative and record this without our typical production resources due to the pandemic. It definitely makes this episode that much more candid on what we are all experiencing in the world today. In this episode, we talk about what it's like to have a pandemic hit your business from all sides (aka ours), how we have grown our business since last season, and how we are now repositioning for the future of events. You know what they say, when the going gets tough...add COVID-19! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message

And that's a wrap, season 2! In this final episode we answered questions that were submitted throughout the season via founders@freshmenfounders.com. As always, please reach out if you have any further thoughts/questions or want to talk through pain points when growing a business. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message

We have found that one of the most exciting yet difficult parts of growing a business is determining what kind of partnerships actually make sense for your company. And how do you know if they are strategic and will complement your company? This episode is part 1 of Partnerships with Gordon Droitcour and how he began to think through this process for his business, Cour Design.More on Cour Design: "Put simply, we are dreamers and creatives with the technical and logistical backgrounds to pull off the impossible. We design for the big and small. We work with management teams to scale emerging artists to the big time and with in house infrastructure to handle design for the largest tours out there. Concert creative direction, lighting design, content, and music videos." --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message

There is truly a method to the madness when it comes to executing sales goals and building a sales team. Not only are there metrics to base your goals off of, but also intrinsic motivators that are unique to each individual that's a part of your team. Chris Becker is an expert on these topics and we are excited for you to hear from him on this episode of Freshmen Founders. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message

Attention all creators: if you're wondering how to take the next steps in making your passion/creative outlet/hobby a full time business, this is the episode for you. Nathan Brown is an incredible artist that took all of his knowledge from previous career experiences and implemented these lessons into his full time business as a public artist. Nathan is commissioned and travels all over the world to share his mind opening murals and unique designs.To learn more about Nathan Brown, check out: www.19ss.net --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message

In this episode we discuss all things digital strategy (and what that actually even means) and how to effectively market your business as a brand.Michael has an impressive background in digital strategy for all different types of businesses, especially in the music industry which we love. He started in project management, moved to interactive marketing, did a lot of cool stuff in between, and is now overseeing his own company, Streaming Promotions - a music placement and streaming company. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message

This is the third episode on fundraising for your startup (part 1 and part 2 are in season 1). We dive into traditional capital options like utilizing a line of credit or a loan to grow your business, and why this might be more beneficial than initially working with investors.Brad Peterson is the Vice President of Music & Entertainment at Regions Bank and is a huge advocate for artists and entrepreneurs. Brad has changed the game for us in our business and we wanted you to hear directly from the source. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-blend-with-kenz--chan0/message