Big Ideas Welcome

Alex Lavidge is a Sales Manager at Sunrun, the largest residential solar installer in US, the CEO of Startup Champs, a prelaunch growth consultancy helping startups get sales and preorders, and the Former Director at CO.LAB of startup accelerator programs.   In this episode, Chris and Alex discuss: -why Alex believes we should be redefining entrepeurnship -what it means to build wealth outside a p...

“Ambiguity is the enemy of remote work. That is not the remote worker’s problem; it’s management’s problem.” This week's 100Knoxville episode features a conversation with the founder of Omega Digital Solutions , Marcus Blair.  In this episode, Jalynn and Marcus discuss: -how Marcus has learned to step out of his own way as a leader -Marcus’ two rules when hiring people -why Marcus focuses on...

Mark Schaefer is the first guest of 2023 on the Big Ideas Welcome podcast! Mark is a best-selling author whose 10th book, Belonging to the Brand, has just hit shelves. Beyond writing, Mark is a globally recognized keynote speaker, educator, and business consultant,  who has taken the stage at some of the largest industry and corporate conferences, including SXSW, Dell World, the American Bar Assoc...

This week on the pod, we share a recording from a #MadeforKnoxville LIVE! This #MadeforKnoxville storytelling event, hosted by KEC’s Chris McAdoo,  is an exclusive evening of conversation with  Knoxville’s finest entrepreneurs, who speak about their biggest “big pivot moments” that led them to start their own thing – or led them to make a big change as an entrepreneur, artist, and founder. Featuri...

As we wrap up the podcast for 2022, Chris and Jaylnn Baker sit down to talk about the last 28 episodes, some lessons learned, things to come in 2023, and to share a few thoughts from their own entrepreneurship journies.    We hope you have a great holiday season and start to 2023 and will be back with a brand new episode on Tuesday, January 10th! In This Episode: Chris McAdoo: Instagram | LinkedIn...

 “What am I doing with what I’m getting? Am I using it to store up for myself or am I being a conduit to give to other people?” This week's 100Knoxville episode features a conversation with Reico Hopewell. "Reico has built his life and career on healing trauma from the ground up. But he doesn’t just preach it. He lived it. After battling addiction and experiencing homelessness, Reico hit...

Samantha Lane joins the conversation this week on Big Ideas Welcome. Samantha is the Creator of Origami Day , a keynote speaker, a time management consultant, and a work-life balance advocate. In this episode, Chris and Samantha   discuss: -July 2, 2014 -what it means to be a workaholic -planning and the power of habits -scale and the understanding of knowing your  scalability -the importance of v...

This week's 100Knoxville episode features a conversation with 100Knoxville mentor Dr. Angelique Adams . Angelique is a coach, author, entrepreneur, and mother whose experiences in her career have led her to help others. Be sure to stay tuned after Jalynn's discussion with Angelique to hear a clip from #MadeforKnoxville LIVE! where Angelique shares her big pivot moment.  In this episode,...

"Community is the glue that makes it better." Alex Abell joins the conversation this week on Big Ideas Welcome. Alex is a serial entrepreneur, a relationship builder, and the self-proclaimed "Chief Lunch Break Enforcer." In this episode, Chris and Alex discuss: -Alex's journey to Knoxville -how Alex has always had a sense for building community -Alex's favorite spot t...

“It doesn’t matter if I just come up. My mission is to bring my community up.” This week's 100Knoxville conversation features Kryshonna Wilson , the owner of Urz Professional. Kryshonna is a mother, an entrepreneur, an aesthetician, and a believer in bringing up her community and others around her. In this episode, Kryshonna and Jalynn discuss:   -her lifelong passion for helping others -the...

“Rather than wishing, let’s put ourselves in the position by doing something . . . starting that cognitive development process is an intentional move to put you in a position where you become, in essence, the expert of whatever you’re in.” This week's 100Knoxville episode features a conversation with Douglas Mapp. Doug is the President and Founder of ThinkUp and is a certified cognitive profe...

Matt Ryerson is the President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Knoxville.  He joins the Big Ideas Welcome podcast for a conversation about the intersection of nonprofits and entrepreneurship.  In this episode, Chris and Matt discuss:  -the difference between philanthropy and charity  -some of the lessons that you can only learn through failing, and why failing forward is a good thing  -how Mat...

David Harman is a creative, artist,  community leader, the founder of Native Maps , and is very thoughtful.  In this episode, David and Chris discuss: -why David started Native Maps -why creatives have learned to ask better questions -the stereotype of artists not being good at business -how David has kept his creative spirit nourished while growing and scaling a business -the power of providing y...

Next up from our 100Knoxville conversations, Jalynn Baker sits down with long-time 100Knoxville mentors, Harry Boston (owner of Boston Government Services) and Rob Cochran (serial entrepreneur).  Jalynn and Harry discuss: -Harry’s advice for budding entrepreneurs -How leading with an inclusive, people-first approach has led to success -Where Harry gets his best ideas and his values -The significan...

Amelia Bartlett is an entrepreneur, writer, and consultant based in Knoxville, TN. She is currently serving as the Rural Outreach Coordinator for the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center , the Operations Lead for Sheltowee Angel Network, and is a staff writer for Blank Newspaper. In her spare time, Amelia is an indie filmmaker, aspiring AI artist, and collector of vintage denim. In this episode, Amelia a...

Next up in from our 100Knoxville conversations, Jalynn Baker sits down with April Hardin, owner of Dream Institute Salon+Academy, to disucss:  -April's career evolution -How April never gave up on what she wanted to achieve with her education -Why April believes in giving and receiving respect -Finding balance as a mother, building a business while supporting others -What April does to stay i...

Have you heard of Sue Malone? She has invested in almost 50,000 businesses and people across the United States. Sue does the work to invest in people, as she believes in "people supporting people."   In this episode Sue and Chris discuss:  -why Sue thinks it is so important to believe in yourself and to know what your worth is -the power that comes with being adaptive to change  -why Sue...

We are excited to release the first episode of our 100Knoxville conversations! Jalynn Baker hosts this very special bonus pod! Jalynn is the Coordinator of Storytelling Initiatives for Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, a photographer, and an active community member who uses art and storytelling as a tool for advocacy. In this episode, Jalynn sits down with Pee Jay Alexander, the owner of Purple Mouse...

This week on Big Ideas Welcome, Chris shares his thoughts on "the power of yes, and..." He starts by sharing his opening remarks from the 3686 Festival about what it means to say "yes, and." Chris also talks about: -how to begin a new "adventure" as an entrepreneur -knowing the value in listening to your market and those around you who are -the culture of constructive...

Jasmine Newton joins host Chris McAdoo this week on the Big Ideas Welcome Podcast.  Jasmine is an artist, photographer, and community leader who brings an incredible energy, infectious creativity, and joyful focus to her life and business.  She recently was chair of the 2022 Maker City Summit and helped to craft the most successful and inclusive summit to date! In this episode, Chris and Jasmine d...

Travis Howerton joins host Chris McAdoo this week on the Big Ideas Welcome Podcast!  Travis is the Co-Founder and CTO at RegScale .  In this episode, Travis and Chris discuss:  -how Travis and his company have disrupted the compliance space to create a more joyful and efficient experience -how and why RegScale experimented to discover where they were needed in the market   -"getting comfortab...

Heath Wilson joins host Chris McAdoo this week on the Big Ideas Welcome Podcast!  Heath is the Co-Founder of Aro . “Aro makes it easy and fun to put down your phone so you can engage in real life.” In this episode, Heath and Chris discuss:  -knowing your superpowers  -why leaders have to recognize what they are good at and what they aren’t good at  -the importance of reading a lot and asking a lot...

John Phillips is in the hot seat this week on Big Ideas Welcome! John is the founder of Phillips Forged and Primeaux in Knoxville, TN. John is an artist, a bladesmith, and one of the best custom knife makers in the world. He is also the most recent winner of the Innov865 Alliance Start-Up Day, and if that isn't enough, he is also the “ Forged in Fire Champion” (from History Channel season 6 e...

"Breaking Down Silos" and building up community. That is the message on this week's episode of Big Ideas Welcome featuring Cortney Piper.  Cortney is the founder of Piper Communications,  a strategic, results-driven communications firm specializing in clean energy and technology, located in Knoxville, TN.   In this episode,  Chris and Cortney discuss: -Start-Up Day 2022 and its hist...

This week on the pod, host Chris McAdoo is joined by producer Anthony Palmer for a conversation on creativity. As a lover of creativity and believer in the power of allowing one's self to be creative, Chris wanted to riff on the topic for this episode. In this episode, Chris and Anthony discuss: -“Creative practice” -why you have to practice creativity to increase your ability to be creative...