Class E Podcast

When no one gives you a chance what do you do?   You create your own.   And that's exactly what Imani Grace King '19 did when she created Jig Productions.   In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we sat down with the Furman alum as she shares her entrepreneurial journey through the creation of her film company. King talks about the catalyst for starting the company in the middle of a pandemic and...

In this episode of the Class E Podcast, Dr. Leigh Holcomb shares her passion for helping other people achieve high success in their careers. She is the founder and CEO of Career Catalyst Edge. Dr. Holcomb talks about what prevents us from taking that next step and how to overcome what holds us back. Plus, she shares how she coaches and connects great job candidates to the right companies who need...

In honor of Women's History Month, we talked with Kamber Parker '17, about how she started her own company, The YoYoPro Know, to help businesses inspire young professionals as they enter and navigate their way through the workforce. Tune in to understand the importance of finding the factors that influence individuals to stay or leave a company. This episode will help all level managers understand...

To Mochinut franchisees, Chantae Wardlaw and Anthony Maboko, entrepreneurship looks like a cross between a Japanese rice cake and a classic American donut. In this segment of Everyday Entrepreneurs, Chantae and Anthony share the exciting, challenging, and delicious process of bringing Mochinut to the Upstate. They discuss their journey of franchising, the obstacles of launching a venture during th...

In this episode of the Class E Podcast, Dan Cockerell, a former Disney executive with 26 years of experience, shares how to bring the magic to your own leadership style and unlock the personal passion and potential in your employees.  After leaving Disney, Dan and his wife Valerie started their own consulting firm teaching the Method to the Magic workshops aimed at helping leaders create the cultu...

Podcast host, book author, keynote speaker, startup advisor, editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur magazine, and self-described nonstop optimism machine Jason Feifer discusses the power of entrepreneurial thinking on this episode of the Class E Podcast. The  Build for Tomorrow  author shares the revelations that have shaped his success, the merits of developing a vertical mindset, and the importance of...

In this episode of the Class E Podcast, David Tann returns to dive further into the triumphs and challenges of entrepreneurship with host Mary Sturgill. The founder and CEO of creative consulting and branding agency Tantrum, Tann shares the values, struggles, and philosophies that have guided his journey to success including emotional story of loosing his brother and the impact that had on his lif...

With a pioneering vision and a network of community connections, the Hill Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Furman University is innovating education. In the episode of the Class E Podcast, Executive Director Bryan Davis discusses reaching milestones, launching new programs, and cultivating a culture of innovation. Davis reflects on creating momentum, surpassing goals, and forming co...

To celebrate National Entrepreneurship Day (Nov. 15, 2022), Erin Mehagan, joins us on this Episode of the Class E Podcast. After years of frustration, and altering bras to fit her changing breasts, Erin decided to do something about it. She created her company, Livi Lou Laine which works to help women feel comfortable in their bodies by creating customizable bras and inserts that empowers them to...

Heidi Blossom of Blossom Digital Consulting has applied her passion for entrepreneurship to address a critical issue in our digitalized world—cybersecurity. In this Everyday Entrepreneurs segment of the Class E Podcast, the GVL Starts alum discusses the importance of cyber safety, the challenges of launching a company, and the meaningful mission behind her latest work. Blossom also shares how list...

October is National Women's Small Business Month and we're celebrating the creative entrepreneurs who took the plunge to start a small business despite gender barriers. Hannah Robinson '13 started Go Banana Social in 2020. In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we talked with Furman Alum Hannah Robinson from Go Banana Social, where she discusses how she improves companies' brands on social media....

We're celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in this episode of the Class E Podcast. Olivia Esquivel channeled her passion for entrepreneurial thinking, collaboration, and healthy living to launch multiple ventures and become one of the leading female entrepreneurs in the Upstate.  In this episode of the Class E Podcast, the founder of Southern Pressed Juicery shares the philosophies and failures beh...

Through her non-profit organization THYME and Play, Eva Vega strives to remove barriers facing atypical families—but in order to find success, she first had to overcome entrepreneurial obstacles of her own.  In this episode of the Class E Podcast, Vega discusses the value of the GVL Starts Program, the power of perseverance, and how her roles as a mother and veteran have shaped her non-profit. Abo...

In this episode of the Class E Podcast, Todd Malo of Mavin Construction joins us to discuss the importance of laying strong foundations, embracing innovative ideas, and balancing ambition and reality.  The Furman alum shares the advice that le d him to launch his own construction company after working with a commercial construction company for 17 years.   Guest: Todd Malo Website: https://mavincon...

In this episode of the Class E Podcast, Preston Spratt tells us how his passion for teaching motivated him to approach education in a new way. He shares the story of how his venture, Strattronics Learning Lab, and how they create hands-on learning experiences to enhance children's education and inspire them in the pursuit of knowledge.   Guest: Preston Spratt Website: https://sprattronics.com/ Hos...

In this episode, we talked with young entrepreneur Jess Teruel who is a Greenville native that has started her own YouTube show and is the Founder of Ladies Brunch Greenville. In this episode, we discover how Jess discovered her passion and made a business out of doing what she loves. Guest: Jess Teruel Contact: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_pHorT3io8bVpIRQpI456w/featured Host: Mary Sturgill...

With Alex Armstrong's knowledge of the music production process and Christian Taylor's marketing expertise , they make a dynamic duo helping independent musicians.  In the episode of the Class E Podcast, Christian and Alex share the story of their joint ventures, Project Conduit and Christian Praize .  Combining Armstrong's knowledge of music production and Taylor's marketing expertise, the joint...

In this episode of the Class E Podcast, Furman professor Dr. Suresh Muthukrishnan shares how he uses drones in Earth, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences. He explains how drone innovation can assess the damage caused by natural disasters and help relief programs reach those affected. Muthukrishnan has implemented his research in this innovative use of drone technology within his classroom a...

If you've seen the iconic campaigns of Abercrombie & Fitch, fallen victim to the lure of Bath & Body Works, or watched the Atlanta Hawks NBA basketball team, you've likely experienced the work of David Tann, founder, and CEO of creative consulting and branding agency, Tantrum.  In this episode of the Class E Podcast, Tann discusses the merits of mistakes, the importance of brand identity, and the...

In this conversation with Dionne Sandiford, a member of the first class of the GVL Starts program shares her story of creating Cozy Covers. In this conversation, we discuss how GVL starts helped propel her to the next level as well as some serendipitous events that took place that enabled her to launch her company in April. Guest: Dionne Sandiford Website: https://mycozycovers.com/ Host: Mary Stur...

Check out the latest episode of the Class E Podcast in front of a live studio audience featuring Doug Lineberry. In this episode, he delivers special insight into the entrepreneurial world from a legal perspective on things such as copyright, trademark, and patents on your product, service, and even your name! Tune in to hear and learn more about Intellectual Property laws from Attorney, Doug Line...

In this episode, we chat with Zachery  Stephens and Chandler Long about their new Sustain APP.  The future is data-driven and Sustain APP, helps its clients use it to better serve their constituents. Guests: Zachery Stephens and Chandler Long  Host: Mary Sturgill Producers: Emma Kerr and Eliza Polich

In this episode of the Class E Podcast, founder and CEO of Hill Entertainment Group, Greg Hill '91, discusses breaking into the music industry, enduring principles of entrepreneurship, and the importance of giving back. Hill shares how his experiences as a pilot and musician have taught him to maximize opportunity and be authentic, tenets that have shaped his entrepreneurial journey.

In his Episode of the Class E Podcast, guest Tom Swain shares how he grew his company, Findley, and how he decided it was time to sell. He explains the process and how the merger was a step into "Intentional Entrepreneurship" for both companies. Guest: Tom Swain Host: Mary Sturgill Producer: Emma Kerr '22

In this episode, we talk with Eric Cooperman of Bottle Titan. Eric was a member of the first GVL Starts cohort and as the winner of the pitch competition, won $5,000 and office space for a year. He is well on his way to launching Bottle Titan and in this conversation, he shares his journey and what he's learned through the process. Host: Mary Sturgill Producers: Emma Kerr '22  & Eliza Polich '23