Big Ideas Welcome

“If I can help someone else succeed in this craft or another craft, it helps the craft as an entirety” - Wes Breitenbach “I don't know anybody who's like: I hope they fail. Nobody's like that, and if they are, they're not running in any of our circles.” - Jesica Breitenbach Wes & Jes  Breitenbach join host Chris McAdoo on the last episode of 2023! They’ve got strong, well-e...

“Once I read up on it and did my own research, I was like ‘Woah. I need to change some of my shopping patterns’.”- Khasia Abdu On this week's episode, guest host Jalynn Baker is joined by Khasia Abdu, founder of Donde. You'll hear about Khasia's transition from overconsumption to sustainability, honoring her heritage, tips for shopping sustainably, and building community around her...

On this week's episode, guest host Jalynn Baker is joined by the founder of Hairston's Naturals, Tonya Hairston. Jalynn and Tonya dig into her background in dermatology and herbalism, her family’s impact on her creative process, building community with small businesses, and lessons learned from the 100Knoxville business accelerator from Knoxville Entrepreneur Center. Learn more about Ton...

“Knoxville is growing to a point where innovation and big ideas are happening right now today. Ahieros is going to grow with that.” On this week's episode, Jalynn is joined by the founder of Aherios IT, John Jordan. Ahieros's mission is to provide information technology solutions today to make the best tomorrow. Jalynn and John discuss how John found a new focus through 100Knox mentorshi...

“I’m learning to take the craziness with the steadiness. . . . Taking a step back and just letting Oglewood run as she is, without trying to ‘keep up with the Joneses’ of my mind.” On this week's episode, Jalynn is joined by the owner of Oglewood Avenue , Jade Adams. Oglewood Avenue is a modern houseplant boutique dedicated to building customer confidence in plant care. Their vision is to mak...

This week on Big Ideas Welcome we bring you an episode originally shared in  March of 2023. In celebration of the release of his new podcast, Shoulda. Woulda. Coulda. we are releasing  a conversation between host Chris McAdoo and Michael Galyean otherwise known as "The Dancing Blue Shirt Guy." Be sure to check out Micahel's new show wherever you listen to this podcast, and while you...

“It doesn’t matter what the medium is. I’m just applying my mindset, figuring something out, and hoping to find success.” On this week's episode, Jalynn is joined by Olympian and owner of Printing Image, Tavis Bailey. Printing Image is a family-owned business founded in 1981. Their mission is to consistently deliver the finest quality printing with exceptional value on time, every time. Learn...

This week on Big Ideas Welcome we bring you an episode originally shared in  November of 2022. On this Producer's Pick we are highlighting a solo episode with host Chris McAdoo sharing his big idea, "the power of yes, and." Listen to all episodes of the Big Ideas Welcome podcast, available now on your favorite streaming platforms and at bigideaswelcome.com . This Big Ideas Welcome p...

Big Ideas Welcome guest host Jalynn Baker returns to the mic with a series of special #100Knoxville season two episodes!  On this week’s episode, guest host Jalynn is joined by founder of Canvas Can Do Miracles, Jackie Holloway. Canvas Can Do Miracles is a nonprofit organization offering free art classes to children and adult artists, as well as to the under-served community and also individuals w...

Eller Kelliher is the incoming Chief Investment Office of Launch Tennessee leading capital programs and investments in early-stage companies and venture funds.  Eller is a native Tennessean and has been based in Nashville since 2015. Eller spent almost seven years with Nashville-based early-stage healthcare fund, Jumpstart Health Investors. She served as Managing Director of Jumpstart Foundry from...

Big Ideas Welcome guest host Jalynn Baker returns to the mic with the first of our special #100Knoxville season two episodes! Every Thursday you’ll get an ALL NEW episode featuring members and mentors from Knoxville Entrepreneur Center’s 100Knoxville business accelerator.  “It’s not a ‘you problem,’ it’s an ‘us problem’.” - Hannah Humphrey On this week's episode, Jalynn is joined by founder o...

Big Ideas Welcome host Chris McAdoo is joined by our favorite guest host, Jalynn Baker, to talk about the power of creating space for all kinds of people, making work that matters, and of course, her powerful conversations with #100Knoxville entrepreneurs.  Jalynn Baker is the Coordinator of Storytelling Initiatives for Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, the Inclusion & Community Outreach Coordina...

Serial entrepreneur Brian Elrod joins Big Ideas Welcome host Chris McAdoo on this episode of the Big Ideas Welcome podcast to talk about the “little things”. Brian is all about developing the small, everyday habits that lead to consistent success - for himself, his business, and his employees.  A lifelong East Tennessean, Brian Elrod is co-founder and CEO at Text Request, a bootstrapped business t...

Patrick Hunt has a big idea: SHOW UP!  Patrick Hunt joins Big Ideas Welcome host Chris McAdoo to dig into what it means for technology-focused founders to “show up” in their entrepreneurial ecosystem, and the incredible impact they can have on their companies, their people, and their communities.  Patrick Hunt just can’t help but show up. A successful entrepreneur with over 30 years’ experience as...

Tanika joins Big Ideas Welcome host Chris McAdoo to talk about what matters most to her as an entrepreneur and community leader. Born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Tanika Harper has always been driven by a spirit of innovation and a desire to make a positive impact.  As a serial entrepreneur, she has successfully launched and managed four small businesses, each one a testament to her unwaver...

Ed Rottmann has a big idea: Entrepreneurs should be empowering their teams to accomplish their work without them.  "Your job is to empower your team to be the best it can be." ...Ed Rottmann Rottmann is the founder and CEO of Chroma Energy Group. Prior to forming Chroma, Ed served as the COO for Stowers Machinery Corporation, East Tennessee’s only Caterpillar Distributor. He has a bachel...

Paris Woodhull shares her incredible journey in her #madeforknoxville talk, entitled "No Turning Back", where she literally takes the keys to her future in her hands. Odds are you’ll recognize Paris Woodhull’s artwork – it’s featured all over Knoxville! Paris was born to create, and to share that creativity with others, backed by a fierce determination to reject the “starving artist” mod...

“There’s so much we could design if we honestly just asked each other what we wanted.” - Jaleria Rivera Jaleria founded the soon-to-be artists studio co-op, SpaceCraft, because like herself, artists need space to practice, play, and connect without the worries of perfection or production. Above all, Jaleria has an infectious energy, and a desire to bring people together to accomplish…big ideas. Sh...

Hannah Lee has a BIG IDEA: “The four-day workweek will change the way we work.”  Hannah is the CEO and Co-founder of Second Mile, an award-winning revenue operations agency focused on helping its clients scale smarter and improve the workweek. She believes very strongly in the power of time, and making the most of it, - so it was important to her and her Second Mile team to tackle the possibilitie...

Jonathan “Courageous” Clark is this week’s Big Ideas Welcome podcast guest. Jonathan’s Big Idea: Art and Science can answer the world's toughest questions.  Multidisciplinary Artist, Activist and CEO/Founder of ART.Official Intelligence, Jonathan Clark, also known as “Courageous,” currently serves as a member of the Knoxville Mayor’s Maker City Council, a board member of the Network of Ensemb...

Can good design set the stage for human interaction and community? That's Josh and Jessica Wright's big idea. The visionary pair behind Machinations joined host Chris McAdoo to discuss their vision for creating vertical neighborhoods through architecture that fosters community and social interaction. Discover how their vision extends beyond the interior structure, as they explore incorpo...

Brian Gabriel Canever is a storyteller, author, and journalist who believes in the power of committing to your passions. His big idea is to "show your work." An Argentine-New Jerseyan, Brian now lives and works in Knoxville, Tennessee. In this episode, he inspires folks to rediscover their creative passions and hobbies, irrespective of their day jobs. Brian unveils the importance of embr...

This episode features Erika Biddix, the founder of Aught, a coworking space and community for female entrepreneurs. Erika shares how she started Aught after hearing a keynote speech that inspired her to open a coworking space for women. She discusses how Aught has grown beyond just a physical space into a larger community that provides support, coaching, and connections to help women entrepreneurs...

Charlotte Tolley's Big Idea is someone has to say "yes" and do the work to make a difference. She talks about how she helped start the Market Square Farmers Market in Knoxville 20 years ago and now runs Nourish Knoxville, a nonprofit that supports local farmers and connects them with the community. She discusses the challenges of running a nonprofit but emphasizes the importance of...

This week's episode of The Big Ideas Welcome podcast features Kenneth Herring, the Managing Director at River and Rail Theatre and Old City Performing Arts Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Kenneth discusses his big idea that all artists should get paid their value and worth for their work. He also shares why he encourages artists to ask uncomfortable questions about finances to get the inform...