Class E Podcast

Tech entrepreneur Ford Blakely '97 turned his natural ability to problem-solve into a $42 million venture. In this episode of the Class E Podcast, Blakely sits down with host Mary Sturgill and a live audience to discuss his company, Zingle, a hospitality-focused business software company. Blakely talks about overcoming obstacles, taking risks, and harnessing dreams, and shares his advice for Furma...

In this episode of our Everyday Entrepreneur segment in the Class E Podcast, we talk with Joey Loman, the founder of Synergy Mill.  Synergy Mill is a maker space in Greenville, SC that not only welcomes all crafters and hobbyists but is creating space for Innovators as an idea Incubator.  Joey shares his story in this segment.  Guest: Joey Loman Host: Mary Sturgill Producers: Eliza Polich and Emma...

Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, and Meghan Markle are only some of the celebrities Sali Christeson has dressed in her power suits! In a live event taping on Furman University campus, Argent founder Sali Christeson '07 shares how she built her 4 million dollar company, Argent, how the company is growing despite COVID, and how they are making waves in the fashion industry while changing the way wome...

In our new special segment of the Class E Podcast, Everyday Entrepreneur, we talk with Marni Peters, serial entrepreneur and inventor. Marni shares with us her latest innovative venture, LuMend Light Therapy. Hear about how the GVL Starts program helped her plan this new venture. GVL Starts is made possible through a partnership between The Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fur...

In this episode of the Class E Podcast, Furman Athletics Director, Jason Donnelly, and Furman Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Director of the Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Anthony Herrera, talk about their combined innovative efforts to bring Innovative programs and Furman Athletics to the Greenville community. Learn about upcoming programs and collaborations at one of...

In this episode of the Class E Podcast, Furman alum Kyle Young '02 discusses co-founding his award-winning marketing and production company, Tiny Horse. Kyle shares insight into the rapidly changing digital media space reflects on his "deeply rewarding and extremely challenging" entrepreneurial journey and offers advice to individuals launching their own start-ups. Guest: Kyle Young Host: Mary Stu...

He may be young, but media company owner, Nathaniel DeSantis '19 has a plan and he's working it.  During the pandemic, DeSantis grew his company, Amalfi Media tripling their output and their income.  He shares his story in this episode of the Class E Podcast.     Guest: Nathaniel DeSantis Host: Mary Sturgill Producer: Emma Kerr Website: https://amalfimedia.com/

Mezzo Creative was remote before remote was cool. In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we talk with founder Cynthia Krantz '07 about how her mentor pushed her out of the nest which lead to the growth of her remote company during the pandemic.  The balance of being an entrepreneur and a mom is not an easy one, so listen to this episode to hear her story and the great advice she has for other ent...

In the latest episode of the Class E Podcast, we talk with Furman Alum, Reed Brown. He is the Vice President of Brown Packing and shares the benefits of working in a family business, how Brown Packing survived and thrived during the pandemic, and the sustainable steps they take to ensure nothing goes to waste.  Guest: Reed Brown: Brown Packing  Host: Mary Sturgill Producer: Emma Kerr Website: http...

In this episode of the Class E Podcast, Neal Anderson, President and CEO of OnPay Solutions shares his journey in empowering companies through his mission and hi-tech accounting. He shares the story of how he began his company, OnPay Solutions, to help other business owners. Guest: Neal Anderson Host: Mary Sturgill Producers: LeNae Jones and Emma Kerr

In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we talk with Furman Alumnus, Amanda Quinton about her company Quinton Digital.  She shares how Quinton Digital develops and markets country music stars and the importance of supporting them in a way that grows them but doesn't break them. Learn how she went from being a waitress to now having two companies! Guest: Amanda Quinton Host: Mary Sturgill Producer:...

Recently appointed Furman Chief Innovation Officer, Anthony Herrera, shares the momentum that Furman Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is gaining. He talks with host, Mary Sturgill about the programs the Institute hosts as they grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem on Furman Campus, Greenville, and the Upstate.  Learn how you can get involved in this episode.  Guest/Host: Anthony Herrera...

In this last episode in the Class E Podcast special series Pathfinders in Purple, we talk with Furman Music Dept. Professor, Omar Carmenates. He shares how endorsement partnerships he's created in the music industry, have elevated Furman Percussion to the international stage despite a world pandemic. We talk about how music is inherently innovative and his vision to take his students to the next l...

In this episode of the Class E Podcast, special series, Pathfinders in Purple, we speak with Dr. Cynthia King. During the day, she is a Communication Studies Department professor, teaching or inspiring her students in the classroom. But after hours, she presents workshops for companies and business leaders via her company, Encourage Communication. She helps individuals to know their value, learn t...

This episode launches season four of the Class E Podcast, where we speak with Bryan Davis, Managing Director of Furman Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, about the opportunities they are providing to Furman and the Greenville community. Learn all about Greenville Starts and other programs Furman Innovation has in the works to grow the upstate entrepreneurial ecosystem. Entrepreneurs, t...

In this episode of our special series of the Class E Podcast, Pathfinders in Purple, we speak with Lorie and Brent Nelson, and David Porras. All of whom are co-owners of the Oak Hill Café and Farm. They each share their experiences in beginning this great venture and maintaining a local restaurant, especially during a pandemic. From Lorie's chemistry expertise to David's chef expertise, we learn a...

In this episode of our Class E Podcast special series, Pathfinders in Purple, we speak with JJ Fowler. During the day, he is a Furman staff member working in the ITS department, but after hours, he owns his own business, Vanzeppelin Aerial. Fowler shares his experience in using drones to show different perspectives, revealing images of his masterpieces through his words. However, it has not always...

In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we talk to Melissa Packman '92. She shares her knowledge on how to adapt to fill a need, and how overcoming struggles can make your company that much stronger. She talks about her philosophy of managing people and creating entrepreneurial opportunities with her two companies, Add 1 Marketing, a marketing services agency and Level 14 Marketing, a boutique mar...

In this episode of the Class E podcast, we talk with Furman alum Mark Kaiser '79 about his varied career. Kaiser is an expert in deploying M&A, innovation, and corporate venturing to drive meaningful growth. He has been involved in the acquisition of over 100 companies and designed and supported over 40 Fortune 500 corporate venture capital funds, innovation centers, and incubators including the $...

In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we talk with The SC Business Leader of the Year and Nephron Pharmaceuticals CEO, Lou Kennedy. She talks about "pivotability," a word she and her crew made up during the pandemic. She explains how her company and the industry had to be flexible when the pandemic hit and how that flexibility helps every entrepreneur in their endeavors.  Host: Mary Sturgill Pro...

This episode of the Class E Podcast is from our special Paladin Pivots series. Entrepreneurs are constantly facing the unknown, now more than ever. This episode brings attention to key skills essential to managing unprecedented change, especially in your business.  Guest: Zach Johnson '03 is president and partner of Metropolitan Properties LLC   Hosts: Mary Sturgill and Anthony Herrera Producer: H...

In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we address how intersectional identities such as race, class, and gender impact entrepreneurs as they begin their project and as they grow their venture. Are there systemic differences that they must overcome? We will also discuss how diversity is essential to fostering innovation and key factors to success in entrepreneurship. Our guests are three entrepren...

Kemmons Wilson Companies (KWC) is one of the nation's premier family-run investment trusts. Established in 1948, the Memphis-based organization was founded by Charles Kemmons Wilson, Jr., and is perhaps best known for building one of the world's largest and most successful hotel chains: Holiday Inn. Now run by the third generation of Wilson family members, KWC is dedicated to honoring its founder'...

In this episode of the Class E Podcast, we talk to brother-sister team Libby '11 and Andrew Phillips '14 on the value found in impact investing. Join us as we sit down with the owners of Big Al Mowing and the mission-oriented Phillips Family Office to learn how quality investments have both considerable profit potential and strong community impact. Host: Mary Sturgill Producer: Rachel Page

In this episode of The Class E Podcast, we begin our Paladin Pivots series.  Guests from the Chick-Fil-A family, Franchise Operators, Rodney Johnson '03, and Steven Bryant '92, and Clayton Dyson '05- Sr. Director at Chick-fil-A corporate. Chick-fil-A's ability to maintain its hallmark efficiency has not gone unnoticed during the pandemic. This episode focuses on how adaptive leadership at Chick-fi...