En este episodio de Querido Emprendedor, conversamos con Paola Lopez, una líder con más de 13 años de experiencia en educación superior, destacada por impulsar Latinx. Paola comparte cómo ha fomentado la colaboración entre estudiantes y desarrollado sus habilidades en gestión de crisis. Además, nos ofrece consejos para emprendedores sobre la importancia de construir conexiones comunitarias y superar desafíos en el camino al éxito. ¡No te pierdas esta charla inspiradora!
Host:
Ignacio Balderrama
Guest(s) Name and Company:
Paola Lopez | Serve2Perform and LatinXNA
Guest & Company Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paolaclopez/
https://www.serve2perform.com/
Show Notes
(00:05) Welcome & introduction.
(00:43) Paola’s story.
(03:18) Two languages.
(06:01) Big project.
(07:10) Finding your voice.
(11:17) Hispanic nuances.
(15:34) Big challenge.
(17:56) The big leap.
(21:36) Community impact.
(25:15) Advice from the past.
Quotes
“Siempre mi mamá era ‘eres puertorriqueña’ - Con eso siempre lleve la cultura a mis clases, a las diferentes ferias... Cada verano desde kínder hasta casi terminando mi escuela superior los pase en Puerto Rico.” -Paola Lopez (01:25)
“Aprendí inglés watching Sesame Street y Garfield, así aprendí inglés... La educación de los 90’s.” -Paola Lopez (01:52)
“El proyecto que fue un logro fue ese desarrollo y ese trabajo en la Universidad de Oklahoma por que fue teniendo la visión siendo una profesional bien joven, teniendo esa visión de decir ‘vamos a hacer lo que necesitamos que hacer no importa las barreras, las puertas que casi abren o casi están cerradas’ y persistiendo.” -Paola Lopez (06:01)
“Para un profesional joven es difícil encontrar tu voz y usar tu voz.” -Paola Lopez (07:10)
“Mi estudio son en servicios humanos, una combinación de psicología y psicología industrial y organizaciones.” -Paola Lopez (08:14)
“La belleza de ser latino es el matizado de ser latino.” -Paola Lopez (11:16)
“De brincar de educación alta hasta emprendedor y un startup, una comunidad diferente, he aprendido mucho en los últimos dos años.” -Paola Lopez (17:56)
“Usa tus librerías públicas, conéctate con la comunidad, yo sé que es difícil y que hay mucho miedo, pero hay gente que te quieren ayudar y te quieren apoyar, y específicamente en Northwest Arkansas, yo nunca he vivido en un área que tiene tanto y tantos resources para la comunidad y para seguir adelanta… No pierdas la visión, no pierdas la confianza, sigue adelante.” -Paola Lopez (22:01)
“Para la comunidad latina, como mi mamá dijo ‘eres puertorriqueña’, vallas a la escuela con ese orgullo, sea latino, tenga ese orgullo, no importa si sabes el lenguaje o no, eres latino, nadie te puede robar de eso y aquí estas por un propósito.” -Paola Lopez (24:37)
Summary
In this episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Matthew Ward and Victoria welcome Katie Linder-Jesse, the innovative mind behind Small Bay Solutions. Small Bay Solutions supports tenant businesses and aims to drastically reduce the failure rates of small enterprises. Situated in Northwest Arkansas, the facility comprises 33,000 square feet of climate-controlled, new construction units designed to be customizable for various types of businesses.
Katie elaborates on how Small Bay Solutions distinguishes itself by regularly surveying its tenants to pinpoint their struggles—be it marketing, logistics, or accounting. Once identified, the facility brings in relevant resources to address these challenges. This hands-on approach helps businesses not just survive but thrive. Small Bay Solutions also engages through active promotion, paid advertising, and networking events, thereby creating a robust support community.
Katie advises newcomers to actively engage with this welcoming community in Northwest Arkansas, as genuine connections can pave the way for business growth and success. They also dive into tenant experiences, showcasing success stories from businesses like In Bloom Floral and Mountainside Properties.
For those interested in joining this thriving community, Small Bay Solutions offers simplified and transparent contracts, ensuring all commitments and services are clear. To explore more about what Small Bay Solutions has to offer, you can visit their Springdale location or reach out via their website.
Show Notes
(0:00) Introduction
(01:16) Katie’s Origin Story
(05:04) Why Small Bay Solutions was started in NW
(09:16) Tenants of Small Bay Solutions
(14:57) Ideal Tenant
(19:50) NWA Culture
(23:18) Process to get Connected
(28:46) Advice to Younger Self
(30:25) Closing Question
Links
Katie Linder-Jesse | CEO of Small Bay Solutions
Connect with Us!
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Summary
In this special episode of Startup Junkies, we’re recording live from Startup Crawl 2024 where we sat down with a variety of guest entrepreneurs and their innovative ventures.
Louis Lee, CMO of Wonderful Platform, discussed its pioneering work in senior care technology. Wonderful Platform’s companion robot, Avadin, addresses elderly loneliness and depression through personalized AI-driven interactions.
Jangwon J Lee’s company, DeepSales, tackles the unique sales challenges in Asia. By building a comprehensive business database and employing AI, it streamlines lead generation and pre-qualification for SMEs.
Sarah No, a champion for early childhood education, shared insights on Playtag. This game-changing platform leverages AI and computer vision to analyze child behavior, enhancing teacher-parent communication and improving learning outcomes. With a ninety percent satisfaction rate in Korea, Sarah aims to refine Playtag's offerings for the U.S. market through valuable customer feedback.
Kris Adams enlightened us on Startup Junkie’s robust event calendar, boasting over two hundred free events to support local entrepreneurs. He introduced the ARse program focusing on tech and tech-enabled startups in Arkansas. In a short time, ARise has already connected one hundred and nine startups with thirty subject matter experts, offering free coaching, access to capital, and valuable industry connections.
Stephen Park of DOWHAT, a hospitality venture, enhances operational efficiency in hotels via mobile app integrations, already serving fifty-five hotels in Korea. Stephen's positive experience in Northwest Arkansas and ambitious goals for market expansion encapsulate the collaborative spirit of the region.
Overall, this episode reflects on the warm, family-like community among entrepreneurs, epitomized by the growing success of the Startup Crawl event, making it clear that the commitment to collaboration and consistent effort forms the backbone of NWA’s thriving startup ecosystem.
Show Notes
(0:00) Introduction
(0:54) Louis Lee’s Origin Story
(2:23) The Solution Wonderful Platform is Offering
(4:12) Closing Question
(5:04) Introduction to Jangwon J Lee
(5:20) Jangwon’s Background
(6:50) DeepSales’ Ideal Customer
(7:45) DeepSales’ Pre Qualification Process
(8:38) Customers’ Responses to DeepSales
(9:24) DeepSales’ Sourcing Solutions
(10:32) Jangwon’s Origin Story
(12:04) Jangwon’s Impression of Northwest Arkansas
(12:32) Closing Question
(13:11) Introduction to Sarah No
(13:28) About Playtag
(15:00) Sarah’s Background
(15:54) Sarah’s Goal with the Accelerator
(16:48) Closing Question
(17:37) Introduction to Kris Adams
(17:47) About the ARise Program
(20:03) ARise’s 2024 Milestones
(24:49) ARise’s Outreach Initiatives in Arkansas
(26:09) About Kate Loughridge’s Role as Marketing Manager of ARise
(27:57) About Steven Park
(29:59) About DOWHAT
(31:28) Steven’s Anticipation of Joining the Accelerator
(33:55) Introduction from Calvin Smith
(34:14) About Startup Crawl 2024
(36:13) The Growth of Startup Crawl
(38:41) Caleb Talley’s Experience with Startup Crawl and its Ecosystem
(40:51) What’s Next for Startup Junkie
Links
Summary
In this episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Caleb Talley, Daniel Koonce, and Jeff Amerine sit down with Lane Patterson, founder of HIGHWAY Ventures, a startup studio that incubates and launches mobility companies in Northwest Arkansas. Unlike conventional venture studios that build minimum viable products, HIGHWAY Ventures focuses on leveraging federally funded technologies from various research labs to solve existing problems and create market-ready companies.
HIGHWAY Ventures’ unique model includes licensing technology solutions, assembling executive teams, and facilitating innovation within specific fields. This year alone there is a projected two-hundred billion in funding for federal research and development going directly towards new technology innovation. However, the resources required to bolster that tech out of the lab and commercialized in the private sector are vastly underfunded. That’s where HIGHWAY Ventures comes in as the bridge over the valley of death that exists where technology is running out of funding and dying in the lab.
Throughout the episode, the conversation highlights Lane’s dynamic journey from his origins at Kansas State University to gaining significant experience in the entrepreneurial landscape. Lane shares anecdotes from his early career in the telecommunications sector and his evolution into the startup world, emphasizing the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurial ventures and the importance of resilience and strategic planning.
Additionally, Caleb, Daniel, Jeff, and Lane dive into the complexities of commercializing federal research, addressing challenges such as navigating outdated patents and ensuring the applicability of technologies across different sectors. Lane also touches on the motivations and dynamics of founding teams and the importance of aligning incentives to drive success. Listen now!
Show Notes
(0:00) Introduction
(0:47) Lane’s Origin Story
(4:25) Why HIGHWAY Ventures Was Established in NW
(6:02) About HIGHWAY Ventures
(9:33) Utilizing Technology to Start a Company
(12:51) The Startup Studio Cycle and Impact
(17:07) The Importance of an Exit Plan
(21:19) Advice to Younger Self
(22:47) Closing Question
Links
Summary
En este episodio de Querido Emprendedor, conversamos con Brittany Yvonne Johnson, fundadora de Ambivert Books, un emprendimiento dedicado a los libros, enfocado en la comunidad hispanohablante. Durante la charla, Brittany nos comparte su experiencia como emprendedora, los retos de lanzar un negocio, y su historia personal. Además, hablamos de cómo su pasión por la literatura y la conexión comunitaria han impulsado sus proyectos, y de qué manera ha logrado crear espacios para que personas de diferentes orígenes se conecten.
Show Notes
(00:06) Welcome & introduction.
(00:29) New name.
(00:55) Brittany’s story.
(01:58) NWA adventure.
(04:11) Love of art.
(06:22) International program.
(13:38) How it started.
(18:06) A shared problem.
(19:27) Mom knows best.
(21:48) Where to find you.
(22:25) Advice from the past.
Links
Summary
In this episode of Startup Junkies, the focus is on navigating banking challenges using technology, featuring Joe Ehrhardt, CEO of Teslar Software. Host Caleb Talley, alongside co-hosts Daniel Koonce and Jeff Amerine, delves into the significance of ethical business practices and the integral role of technology in modernizing community banks.
Teslar Software is a forward-thinking technology company out of Springdale, Arkansas with a focus on software solutions for financial institutions. Created to help the FDIC post-2008 financial crisis, Teslar has pivoted to assisting community banks in modernizing their services, especially in consumer lending. Joe explains the necessity for community banks to invest in technology to remain competitive, noting the decline in traditional networking and the rising demand for online services, particularly among younger consumers.
Throughout the episode, Joe emphasizes the importance of trust, initiative, and long-term impact in Teslar’s operational philosophy, aiming to empower community banks and promote sustainable tech ecosystems. Additionally, Joe highlights the importance of building a company culture that prioritizes long-term relationships with customers and ethical decision-making, even if it doesn't yield immediate returns. The discussion highlights the supportive ecosystem of Northwest Arkansas, known for its community-driven values. Tune in today!
Show Notes
(0:00) Introduction
(1:04) Joe’s Origin Story
(7:16) About Teslar Software
(9:30) How Teslar Has Integrated Into Community Banks
(19:53) The Solutions Teslar Software Provides
(22:43) Community Banks’ Investment in Technology
(23:31) The Current Health Status of Community Banks
(26:22) Teslar’s New Space in Springdale
(28:29) Building a Strong Company Culture
(31:15) Advice to Younger Self
(34:29) Closing Question
Links