Conquering Columbus Podcast

Summary: Nancy Kramer, Founder & Chairman of Resource/Ammirati, which was recently acquired by IBM, takes us through the journey of creating one of the largest independently owned digital marketing agencies in the country. We cover everything from Nancy’s childhood and family, to landing Apple as her first customer and what her life is like today …

Summary: Director of Operations for some of Columbus’ hottest spots, including Forno, Standard Hall, and Pint house, Reed Woogerd, sits down with us. Reed takes us through his earlier days, his life under an entrepreneurial father, his wildcard trip to New Zealand, and his path to meeting Chris Corso & helping create and grow Corso …

Summary: Joe DeLoss, Founder & Head Fryer at Hot Chicken Takeover, sits down with us to talk about his background, business successes/failures leading up to Hot Chicken Takeover, the “why” behind creating Hot Chicken Takeover, what his hiring process is like and how he separates those to bring on the team vs those to not, …

Summary: In honor of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and in celebration of The Black Lens recently winning the Grand Prize at the Self Published eBook Awards, we welcome Columbus-based author, Christopher Stollar. Christopher has an extensive background in journalism, which he has leveraged over the last 5-years to write an award winning …

Summary: Wil is a serial entrepreneur who started his first company at the ripe age of 19 years old. Since then he’s had numerous successful exits, most with very strong returns, and runs one of the world’s largest startup platforms, startups.co. On this episode we cover a bit of his life story, his take on …

Summary: Co-Founder of TrashCab LLC, a valet recycling service for businesses, apartments, and condominiums sits down with us to discuss his journey from studying accounting at Notre Dame to starting his own business. We cover everything from how studying accounting & Brennan’s first job out of college played a crucial in his ability to start …

Summary: A Harvard graduate & an all around-brilliant individual, Greg Ubert takes us through the creation of Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea from ideation to present day. Greg’s idea started fairly simple with a go-to-market approach of wholesale distribution, but has since evolved to a somewhat “specialty coffee shop consultant” of sorts, by still focusing …

Summary: On this episode we sit down with another wrestling alum and Co-Founder of FloSports, Martin Floreani. Martin takes us through his first few business attempts in college, where some failed and some dissipated on behalf of an unclear vision, up through the founding and creation of the multi-million dollar (and growing) sports media company, …

Summary: We sit down with UFC Welterweight and MusclePharm sponsored athlete, Matt Brown, to talk about his transition from training and living in Columbus, to training and living in Colorado, his battle with drug addiction growing up and how he survived a near-death heroin overdose experience, his fighting career up until now with MMA and …

Summary: On this episode we were fortunate enough to sit down with Definitive Homecare Solutions (DHS) Founder, Stuart Crane. With the help of his partner, Stuart bootstrapped their company to a $43 million exit, and split the cash right down the middle. There’s something special and inspiring about the story of their successful company, maybe …

Summary: Unfortunately, Mike had to miss out on this episode due to unforeseen circumstances, but Josh was fortunate enough to sit down with Jungle Jack Hanna and capture a great look inside the life and mind of the Columbus Zookeeper and TV Personality. Jack is one of the most authentic people you’ll ever meet, and …

Summary: On this episode we sit down with Ryan Frederick: Principal at AWH, Director at Startup Grind (Columbus), Advisor at Rev1 Ventures, Advocate at i.c.stars, Principal at Stepside Co. LLC, and an all-around household name in the Columbus startup community! We cover everything from Ryan’s background (up to where he is today), his current role …

Summary: On this episode we sit down with Nichole Dunn, CEO of The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio. Nichole Dunn talks about how she got to where she is today, what The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio stands for, the initiatives that they’re involved in, some of the things we as a community in Columbus can …

Summary: On this episode we were fortunate enough to catch up with Pelotonia’s CEO, Doug Ulman – Doug is a 3x cancer survivor, former collegiate athlete, graduate of Brown University, creator of a very successful non-profit (The Ulman Cancer Fund), former CEO/President of Livestrong, and the current CEO of Pelotonia; not to mention, Doug (which …

Summary: On this episode we sit down with Serial Social Entrepreneur, CEO of CleanTurn, and candidate for OH State Representative, Mr. John Rush. John is an extremely intelligent individual that is well versed in a variety of fields – During our time together we cover how to create a successful social enterprise (from raising money, …

Summary: In this episode, we interview former Division 1 NCAA Wrestling Champion and openly gay male, Mike Pucillo. Mike is one of the most accomplished wrestlers to ever set foot on an Ohio State Wrestling mat. In high school, he was a 4 time OHSAA state placer, 3 time finalist, and a 189 lbs State …

Summary: On today’s episode we’re fortunate enough to sit down with Jeni Britton Bauer, founder of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Some of the key areas we cover are Jeni’s childhood, how crucial her sense of smell has been in her life, how she made it into Ohio State with a hand-written letter (in pencil), how …

Summary: We sit down with Vegan, Health Blogger, and our Webmaster’s (Joe) WIFE, Sara Grandominico, to talk about the benefits of a plant-based diet, growing a successful blog and social media following built around your passion, and the keys to living a healthy lifestyle and maintaining that lifestyle with a busy schedule. Timeline: 00:00 Intro …

Summary: “What problems do you want to solve? What do you love doing? Who do you want to be around?”… This week we’re fortunate enough to sit down with Talent Partner at Drive Capital, Robert Hatta – Robert holds experiences from some of the most successful startups (or at least what once were) in the …

Summary: You’re sitting in the space shuttle for the first time ever and it begins to countdown from 10, what’s going through your mind? We received the amazing privilege to sit down with veteran, U.S. Astronaut, and all-around extraordinary individual, Captain Dominic Gorie. In this episode, we cover everything from the thoughts that went through …

Summary: Water, Hunger, and Human-Trafficking – Nobody should die of preventable water-borne diseases, nobody should starve to death, and nobody should lack freedom. We sit down with Kenny Sipes, the Founder of The Roosevelt Coffeehouse here in Columbus, Ohio to talk about his (faith-based) leap from a trusted & sustainable career into entrepreneurship, all inspired …

Summary: From Princeton grad & military helicopter pilot, to running 7 marathons in the Sahara desert and recovering from losing over a billion dollars in the 2008 crisis, Mr. Mike Novogratz takes us through his life journey. We also cover how athletics, primarily the sport of wrestling, helped shape him into the man he is …

Summary: On probably one of the most fun episodes we’ve had to date we sit down with good friends, Alex and Lacey Picazo, to talk about their unique paths to entrepreneurship, what it took to create several successful and sustainable businesses, focusing on providing value in all aspects of your life to open up opportunities, …

Summary: How to break ties with business partners that you care about, start a company from the ground up, and turn a company into something sustainable are just a few of the topics that we cover with Blake Compton, founder of Compton Construction, on this episode. Compton Construction has evolved itself into one of the …

Summary: We sit down with Mike Sorboro, Founder and CEO of Mikey’s Late Night Slice, to talk about his path to Columbus, the story of his restaurant, and what the future looks like for him and Late Night Slice. Show Mile Markers: 00:00 – Patreon support & Conquering Columbus intro 02:30 – Typical day in …