Class E Podcast

Join us for an inspiring episode of the Class E Podcast , where host Mary Sturgill sits down with Andrew Sendejo, a former NFL safety turned successful entrepreneur. Andrew's journey from an undrafted All-American to a 12-season NFL veteran is only the beginning—after a career-ending injury, he transitioned into real estate, venture capital, and co-founding Braintree Nutrition , a company dedicate...

In this insightful episode of the Class E Podcast , host Mary Sturgill speaks with Alice Grey Harrison, a pioneering expert in strategic communication and change management. Alice shares her journey from liberal arts student to head of communications at a top ten accounting firm.   Now to entrepreneur, who helps firms nationwide with culture-building, public relations, and change management. She e...

Explore the inspiring journey of Dan Weidenbenner, founder of Mill Village Ministries, in this engaging podcast episode! Dan shares the story behind his innovative nonprofit fostering youth development, entrepreneurship, and community engagement in Greenville, South Carolina. From starting with a small community garden to expanding into multiple initiatives—Mill Village Farms, Village Engage, Vill...

On this episode of the Class E Podcast , host Mary Sturgill welcomes Roshanda Pratt, an accomplished entrepreneur and former TV news producer, for an inspiring conversation about the power of storytelling, innovation, and betting on yourself. Roshanda shares her journey from journalism to becoming a digital marketing pioneer, using live streaming and video to amplify her voice and help others do t...

Discover the inspiring journey of Kristan Hart, a multi-passionate entrepreneur and the founder of Hart, Mind, Body and Soul, and Envy Hart Creations. In the latest episode of the Class E Podcast, Kristan shares her path from overcoming personal struggles with mental health to building her own business. Learn how Kristan's focus on holistic wellness—connecting mind, body, and soul—has not only tra...

In this episode, Bill Sparling, the creator of Spar Solutions Unlimited, shares how they help businesses transform company culture and streamline complex operational processes. By providing essential resources and support, they enable significant and sustainable improvements. We explore how Sparling Solutions Unlimited employs technologies like vibration analysis and infrared thermography to proac...

Discover the transformative power of media with Whitney McDuff, whose journey from taking on a pivotal project to creating her own company showcases the immense potential of storytelling, public speaking, and PR. In our latest podcast episode, Whitney shares how authenticity in today's fast-paced world can drive visibility, credibility, and profitability. Tune in to hear how Whitney's dedication t...

In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we sat down with guest Martine Helou-Allen, CEO and founder of RIZE Prevention. Martine shares her personal journey and how it led her to create a groundbreaking program empowering teens to resist drugs and make healthy choices. Through RIZE, Martine is transforming communities by addressing the root causes of addiction and offering hope to young people. Joi...

In this special episode of the Class E Podcast, we're revisiting the most impactful insights from our incredible guests this season. From the wisdom of Jennifer Jones on turning pain into power, to Chad Price's reminder that in entrepreneurship, you set the rules of the game, and Fred Cary's inspiring mantra to be comfortable with the discomfort of chasing your dreams. And don't miss Jason Richard...

Join us in this episode of the Class E Podcast as we dive into the extraordinary journey of Callie Goodwin, the mastermind behind a thriving greeting card company born out of the challenges of the pandemic. From a humble start during quarantine to becoming a household name on TikTok, Callie shares her inspirational story of turning isolation into innovation. With her background in education and so...

Step into the world of artistic entrepreneurship with Caroline Owen and Robert Cushing in this dynamic episode of the Class E Podcast. As accomplished musicians, they share their transformative experiences studying music abroad and crafting original musical compositions. This conversation takes you on a journey from the foundations of classical music to the entrepreneurial challenges faced when bu...

 Join us on the latest episode of the Class E Podcast, where we had an engaging conversation with Candace Morris, the founder of The Launch Ready Method. Candace takes us on a journey through her diverse experiences in social work, education, and entrepreneurship. From her days as a student life coordinator at a charter high school to pioneering an internship program, Candace reveals the gaps she...

Dive into the latest episode of the Class E Podcast with Andrew Predmore, the executive director of Furman University's Shi Institute, as he shares insights into their innovative initiatives. From on-campus climate action planning to a closed-loop food system, the episode delves into sustainability challenges and solutions. Join the conversation as they discuss composting, student engagement, and...

Embark on an enlightening conversation with Heather Mckenzie Patterson and Katherine Sandoval Taylor, co-founders of On Stage Collective, as they recount their journey from college vocal performance majors to pioneers in the immersive performance program landscape. From adapting to major changes during their studies to overcoming setbacks caused by COVID-19, their unwavering dedication and problem...

In this episode of the Class E Podcast, Dr. Kasie Whitener and Host, Mary Sturgill explore the fascinating intersection of Taylor Swift's career, entrepreneurship, and the power of love.  From the impact of Taylor's re-recording on the music industry to her savvy business decisions in negotiating streaming rights, the conversation delves into the entrepreneurial lessons embedded in Taylor Swift's...

Join us in this inspiring episode of the Class E Podcast as we dive into the transformative journey of J ennifer Jones, the founder of Beauty Marks for Girls , a nonprofit mentoring program for girls whose mothers are incarcerated. Jennifer shares her personal story, the origins of Beauty Marks for Girls, and the profound impact it has on the lives of young girls facing similar challenges. From vu...

Our well-being is important to maintain in our lives, and different companies can help us with that. In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we talked with Chad Price, an international business consultant and entrepreneur with several successful wellness ventures. Price shares the knowledge he's acquired throughout his entrepreneurial journey from his exercise equipment company, Kettlebell Kings,...

Capturing the perfect picture can be tricky, but it can also help companies brand and tell their stories. In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we sat down with photographer Jatoya Rector and discussed how she helps companies' brand with her business, Jatoya Lanisha Photography. Additionally, she shares what she learned from the Greenville Starts program, and emphasizes the power of networking a...

Finding that secret sauce can lead to success, but it's not always easy to find. In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we talked with Chris Sexton, founder of the barbecue catering company, Sexton's Smoke-N-Grill. From learning countless lessons in the Greenville Starts program to dealing with personal health concerns, Sexton discusses the future of his company, how he has become more appreciati...

With dessert comes happiness, and happiness can breed employee morale get your company noticed. In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we sat down with Stufona Latta, founder and CEO of the desert consulting company, Bake Your Mark. In our conversation, Stufona discusses the need for companies to maintain employee morale and innovative ways to share the company brand. We discuss how her company,...

It's natural to not like competition, but having it is key for successful entrepreneurs. In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we talked with Fred Cary, a serial entrepreneur and thought leader who has over thirty years of experience. Cary discusses the various successful companies he has taken to the next level and shares how his current company, Idea Pros, provides anyone a path into the entre...

There are important questions we must all ask ourselves. One major question is, "How do I want to spend my day?" In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we talked to Jason Richards '01, the Global Business Director and shareholder of the commercial real estate property management firm, NAI Earle Furman. Richards discusses how his involvement with non-profits led to him to where he is today.   He s...

Analyzing data can be a daunting task, but what if there was a more usable program to do so? In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we sat down with Spencer Tate '24 to discuss his and co-founder, Nemath Ahmed's, data analytics platform, dotflo. Reminiscing on his win at the 2023 Paladin Pitch Competition, Tate shares what he's learned on his entrepreneurial journey and the reality of having oppo...

Our environment is important, which is why being more sustainable is key. In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we talked to Alexa Valdovinos '25 about her sustainable instrument reed company, Monte Valle LLC. From winning the 2022 Paladin Pitch competition to now, Valdovinos shares her entrepreneurial journey and plans for her company and discusses how she balances her life as both a student an...

Change can be scary, but it can also be good. In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we talked to Nathaniel Desantis '19 about how his entrepreneurial path has evolved from the multimedia company, Amalfi Media, to now Podcast Studio X. Desantis shares how the growth of his personal podcast company is now helping others tell their stories. We discuss how failure can be rewarding, and how it's impo...