Columbus Entrepreneurs' Podcast

Claire Coder was a competitor in 2015 GSEA Competition, and also the founder of Aunt Flow. In today’s episode, she shares the stories of her business ventures, and she started her business and grew it to where it is today. On a mission to change the world one cycle at a time, Claire talks about the importance of investing in your business and nurturing your entrepreneurial inclinations from a young age.   Key Takeaways:   [:45] Claire started her first company — There’s A Badge for That — when she was only 16 years old. In a matter of two years, she grew the company, and this company got her excited and engaged in entrepreneurship. [2:50] When she was school at the Ohio State University, she got the idea for her second business: insert name. The company is growing rapidly, and the products have been well-received across 47 states. [5:45] What has been most surprising so far is the difference in reception that they’ve received from men and women when they’re selling business-to-business. They get the most crit

Jim has a unique entrepreneurial experience moving from one family business to another. After growing up in one family business, he left and started on a new venture that would eventually turn into a first generation family business. In this episode, Jim talks about his work with Advance Sign Group, working with his immediate family, and how EO helped to shape some of his business decisions as he was getting his new company on track.   Key Takeaways: [1:15] Jim shares his lifeline: Growing up, Jim had a good understanding of work ethic, and seeing how transformative the food service industry business was. After college, he went into the manufacturing side of the family business and was involved in several departments. [5:07] He had worked in the business for about 20 years when he realized that he really had an entrepreneurial spirit that he needed to explore (outside of the food service industry). While dabbling in other ventures, he secured Advanced Sign Group in April of 2001, which was a little more in hi

Lisa M. Cini has spent many years developing her business and curating important technology for senior living. Her background in interior design led to the development of Mosaic Design Studio and Best Living Tech. In this episode, she talks about her lifeline and the impact EO has on not only her own life, but her family’s as well. She shares some stories about some rough patches in her life, and how she overcame them and continued to grow her business.   Key Takeaways:   [1:24] Looking back on her lifeline, Lisa’s greatest realization is how much her perspective has changed. She talks about some different big moments in her life that led to where is now — starting with a leadership camp in middle school. She attended a variety of school programs in college, finding the one that was going to give her the degree that would allow her to do what she wanted with interior design. The birth of her children and their early childhood was also a defining moment. [3:30] In 1998 she started her company and made $1 milli

On today’s episode, Michael Erath joins Kevin to talk about his story. Michael shares the ups and downs of his entrepreneurial ventures in the family business, and how he took ownership of his time and business to find entrepreneurial freedom. He now works actively as an EOS implementer, and is releasing his book Rise, on August 29th.   Key Takeaways: [:47] Michael grew up as second generation in a family manufacturing business, where they manufactured hardwood veneers. His dad was on the sales side of the business, and after he graduated college, Michael moved to Roanoke and became the manager of operations. Michael talks about the ups and downs during his time, particularly how they were affected by the recession, and moving all the ownership from his mom’s estate to his name. [5:17] Michael had to work with lenders and banks to orderly liquidate the business. They avoided bankruptcy and Michael kept his credit in tact. At the same time this was going on with the family business, he found out that his busin

Randy Gerber is an original EO member of the Columbus chapter. On today’s episode, he shares his story of breaking off the traditional path and discovering what he really wanted to do. He talks about starting Gerber LLC, and some of the challenges and triumphs they faced as they rebranded to support first-generation entrepreneurs with financial planning.   Key Takeaways: [:35] Randy grew up in sort of a “traditional” background, thinking he would get an engineering degree and then get a job in the work force, because that is what he was already surrounded by. He went to Ohio State for engineering, and joined a fraternity and learned two things: 1. Many of his friends’ parents owned businesses and 2. He had some natural raw leadership skills. [4:42] During his sophomore year, he realized that he didn’t want to be an engineer. He got a job as an intern at a financial planning company, and decided that was the path he was going to pursue. [6:50] He started his business in late 1990, and watching the stock market

We’re back with a brand new episode! On today’s episode, Matt Cellura joins Kevin to talk about his entrepreneurial ventures with Good Nature Organic Lawn Care. Matt shares his story of how he got started in the business, as well as what their future plans for the company are. He talks about some of the challenges of expanding a small business, as well as the unique components of their company that set them apart from others.   Key Takeaways: [:32] Matt shares his lifeline. He grew up in Northeast Ohio, and received his Finance degree from Ohio University. He took his first job out of college working for Enterprise Rent-A-Car as part of their management training program. Though he left that job because it wasn’t what he really wanted to do, he gained experiences that have benefitted him even to today. [2:15] As he started to think about what he really wanted to do, he realized he wanted to do something that would make an impact, or be part of something that was growing. This is where he got his entrepreneuria

Today’s guest joins Kevin from Salt Lake City, Utah. Jeff experienced great entrepreneurial success in the business world. Jeff talks about creating (and selling in one case) two companies: Health Benefits America in eyeQ. In this episode, Jeff focuses on the attitudes and preparations he took to ensure that he was successful in his ventures.   Key Takeaways:   [:45] Jeff shares his lifeline. He switched his major several times during college, but graduated with a business degree and went into financial planning with his father and brothers. Right from the get-go, Jeff found a lot of success with financial planning. But after several years, he began to observe and seek out a new way to use his expertise. [2:24] Jeff talks about what was going on with health care in the government, and how this served as an impetus for his business. He also talks about other instances where businesses were able to do something better, faster, and cheaper — a great opportunity to get on the map. [4:57] In 1986, Jeff and his par

In this episode, Michelle Galligan joins Kevin to talk about her experience with entering into a joint venture. She shares her lifeline, and how she went from working in a firm to starting her company, and the steps taken to get to where she is today. She shares some advice on working with investment bankers, as well as the rationale behind her decision to maintain and grow the value of her company.   Key Takeaways: [:30] Michelle was born in Springboro, Ohio, while it was still a small town. She originally went to school to be a chemical engineer, and then switched to the business school. While she was still in school, she worked for Ernst & Young, and discovered her knack for data. [2:55] Due to family circumstances, Michelle had to take a leave of absence from her position with Ernst & Young. This ended being up a great opportunity to explore working in business development. Following this, Michelle talks about her journey through corporate America and how she ended up starting her own business. [6

Today’s guest is actually member of the Boston Chapter of EO, and is also the host of the official EO global podcast. In today’s episode, Dave talks about how he got started with his business, and growing the culture of his employees. Culture has been a very important aspect of his entrepreneurial ventures, and today he shares how this focus has helped to develop his current business, Prop Fuel. Key Takeaways: [3:11] Dave shares his lifeline. He was born into a great family and had a really good childhood/upbringing. His father was someone he really admired growing up. [7:13] Up until about age thirty, he was living a typical trajectory with getting his education and starting his family. On the last day of his internship, he got advice that would shape the way he dealt with his business ventures in the future. [13:21] When he really began to follow the mantra he learned, he found that he could excel when he is able to completely behave like himself. Starting his own business allowed him to do this. [16:34] Da

On today’s episode, our host becomes the guest! Bill Troy turns the table to have Kevin share his lifeline. Kevin talks about how he got started with his current business, Kay-Twelve. Not only does he share his business journey, but he shares some personal stories from his life, and talks about the business’s future as well as his family’s. This is an episode you won’t want to miss! Key Takeaways: [:38] Kevin shares his lifeline: He grew up in Chicago with three brothers, and had a fairly idyllic childhood. He started working when he was about 14, and since then he’s always had a job, and always knew he wanted to do/start his own thing. He attended Miami University in Oxford and majored in Mass Communications. [4:01] His first entrepreneurial experience was at Miami University with a scholarship program that would allow students to do whatever project they wanted, would pay money, and give credit. Kevin made a documentary called “The Commercialization of Michael Jordan,” which introduced him to many different

Today’s guest is a newer member of EO. Alberto Scirocco joins Kevin to talk about moving here from Italy, and how his freelance design turned into a business. Since starting the company, he discusses the change in the demand and the field, and how they as a company have had to change and evolve to keep producing the best product. Tune in today to hear about some of their specific projects at Left Channel, and what Alberto hopes for the city of Columbus, when it comes to creative engagements. Key Takeaways: [:29] Alberto is a newer member of EO, and is here to share his lifeline. He is originally from Milan, Italy, and he moved to Columbus when he was 20, and attended the Columbus College of Art and Design. Coming here allowed him a lot of different artistic learning opportunities, and after he finished school he working doing design in motion for a production house. [2:35] He fell in love with the profession and advanced very quickly, and then began freelancing. His freelance venture grew to include more empl

Kevin Stoller is joined by Jason Carpenter of the Columbus, Ohio chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) to discuss Jason’s Lifeline (1:09), after high school (4:54), starting his business (9:00), revitalization of the company (15:16), Karen becoming involved (20:24), turning the business around with new software (25:00), residential and apartment complexes (29:48), lightbulb moments (31:00), joining EO (31:50), what's your “why” (34:35), mentorship (35:11), working with his wife (37:38), “Flight of the Buffalo”(39:10), forum experience (45:35), and his family in the business (47:45).   Mentioned in this episode: Columbus Chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organization Environmental Pest Management Flight of the Buffalo, by James A. Belasco

In today’s episode, Dr. Carol Clinton shares her inspiring story of persistence and perseverance as she worked to open her own business. She talks about her personal struggles with cancer, and how she worked through that time with the support of her family and friends to grow her skin care and body sculpting business. Nearly twelve years after the start of her business, they have expanded to multiple facilities, and are looking to grow additional aspects. Key Takeaways: [:48] Carol shares a snapshot of her lifeline: She was born into a very large, very close family. After an experience with an avian-borne illness as a child, she was inspired by her pediatrician, and decided that’s who she wanted to be when she grew up. She ended up going into nursing, and then on to medical school. [5:45] She thought for a while she was going to do dermatology, but she began working in the ER, and did that for fifteen years. Due to the time demands, she later moved in a new direction, and trained herself to do botox injection