Fervent Four

Charlie O'Brien, founder of EfficienzAI, shares how his company is making AI accessible for small businesses and government agencies with tools like BuildAITeams and Hedgemon. As Chair of the Hampton Roads Gen-Z Commission and Operations Manager at 757 Collab, Charlie is focused on addressing challenges faced by Gen Z in the region, from talent retention to creating opportunities. In this episode,...

Mayona Smith is the founder of Great Victory Music, a Norfolk-based music education studio offering private voice lessons, songwriting workshops, and live performance opportunities. She helps singers of all backgrounds, from complete beginners to advanced performers, develop their skills and confidence. Stage fright is a common challenge for many singers, but Mayona's approach combines vocal techn...

Ayanna J. Smalls  is the founder of  Smalz Cloud Consulting , helping small businesses seamlessly integrate cloud technology to boost efficiency, security, and growth. With expertise in AWS, Azure, AI, and e-commerce, she delivers tailored cloud solutions for challenges like app migrations, compliance, scaling e-commerce platforms, and more. Ayanna also founded  Stemlighten , empowering the next g...

Join Elijah Mackey, a 12-year-old author from Hampton, as he reveals how his passion for turtles led to writing a children's book that nurtures curiosity and respect for nature. Discover how youth-driven creativity can educate and inspire, proving that anyone—regardless of age—can make a meaningful difference. Don't miss this uplifting conversation on harnessing passion to spark change! Chapters:...

Destini Harrell, founder of The Blessed Rogue, helps turn bold ideas into meaningful action. In this episode, she dives into the power of investing in Hampton Roads' talent and why it's time to move from potential to real opportunity. Destini also shares how supporting local organizations can spark change and what we can do to prepare for the shifts shaping the future. Join us for a conversation a...

Jalaya Allen shares how Campus Connex connects college students with paid projects, helping them build valuable skills and gain real-world experience while pursuing their education. As a senior at Norfolk State University, a student-athlete, and the oldest of seven siblings, Jalaya reflects on how her experiences shaped her mission to create opportunities for others. She also discusses the challen...

Dr. Eiesha Williamson joins the Fervent Four Show to share her multifaceted journey, from her background in cheerleading for two NFL teams and running a dance studio to her current role at the YMCA. She offers insights into fundraising, traveling with dance teams, and the intricacies of homeschooling gifted children. The discussion touches on the nature vs. nurture debate, emotional vs. intellectu...

  Stew Fortier, co-founder of  Type.ai , joins us to discuss the new possibilities large language models bring to entrepreneurs and how Type adds value through its focused design. We talk about how Stew and his team have rethought the writing process for today 's needs, creating a tool that blends familiar editing features with integrated AI to make writing and editing more efficient. Along the wa...

In this episode, we talk with Josh Miner, the founder of Archetype Braces, about his mission to change the way knee support works. Josh was inspired by his mom's journey to stay active after a knee injury, despite trying surgery, therapy, and various traditional braces. Determined to create something that could truly help, he spent months testing and refining his design, gathering feedback to buil...

Santh Sathya joins the Fervent Four to explore the future of transportation, focusing on flying cars and VTOL vehicles. The conversation delves into FAA regulations and potential applications like air ambulances and autonomous traffic control. Santh shares his expertise in hydrogen technology and discusses how Tesla's innovations impact the transportation-energy sector. The episode also covers Luf...

Collin Smith, founder of ReachSuite, joins The Fervent Four Show to discuss his journey from launching the platform to its recent acquisition. ReachSuite helps software companies stay engaged in the buyer's journey, even when they're not in the room.   Collin discusses how ReachSuite delivers real value with interactive demos and guided sandboxes, driving better results for software sales teams.  ...

Join Jeana Feely, President of ALN Technology, as she discusses how ReplyAI is transforming the semiconductor industry by capturing lost revenue and optimizing customer support. Learn about AI's practical applications in business, efficient sales strategies, and how companies can reduce costs while increasing revenue. Don't miss this insightful conversation! Chapters: (0:00) Opening remarks and in...

IV failures from infiltration and extravasation can cause serious complications, including drug delivery errors and even life-threatening situations. In this episode, Gary Warren, CEO of ivWatch, explains how their cutting-edge technology is changing the game for IV therapy. With nearly 70 patents and FDA clearance, ivWatch uses near-infrared light and advanced algorithms to catch IV leaks early....

Join Ayush Garg, founder of AnswerThis.io, as he shares his journey from building tools at 14 to scaling businesses in Singapore and presenting to the president. Now a student at the University of Richmond, Ayush is focused on transforming the research process with AnswerThis—a platform that uses AI to help users quickly extract insights from research papers. In this episode, he introduces AnswerT...

Join us as we explore Katrina Young's career at NASA Langley and delve into the Technology Transfer Program, which licenses NASA's cutting-edge technologies.  Discover NASA Langley's historical contributions to supersonic travel, drag-reducing innovations, and sensor applications.  The episode also highlights upcoming NASA webinars, the Down to Earth, Ready for Launch event, and offers a glimpse i...

Join us as Scott Janney, co-founder and CEO of Magazine Jukebox Inc., returns to the Fervent Four Show to share his exciting news! Scott discusses the latest on Magazine Jukebox, his venture into NYC for the Venture Summit, and the highs and lows of being a Series A entrepreneur. Scott also dives into lessons learned from startup competitions and the significance of Google reviews for business gro...

Josh King joins the Fervent Four Show and shares his journey from attending Virginia Commonwealth University to founding a gaming company that has crafted a controller that attaches to your phone magnetically. Josh delves into the development of his innovative controller and the growth of his YouTube channel, highlighting the loyalty of his fanbase and crucial parental support. The conversation to...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Julie M. Stark, Co-Director of the NavalX Mid-Atlantic Tech Bridge. Dive into how Tech Bridge is growing the local entrepreneurial ecosystem by connecting transitioning military personnel with non-traditional industry partners, fostering a vibrant network that supports innovation and the Naval Research Enterprise in Hampton Roads. Join us to explore the future of mi...

Jay Grant joins us to explore how Hampton Roads can become the best place to live, work, and play, starting with bold ideas on affordable housing and the power of walkable communities. He challenges the status quo, tackling hot topics like the impact of short-term rentals and overcoming the region's toughest job market hurdles. Don't miss the final takeaways on innovative housing solutions, behind...

Tim Ryan and Zack Miller dive into details about the Startup World Cup Virginia regional event and its partnerships. They discuss the venue, application process, and the significance of startup participation. The episode covers tech innovations and startups like Complify and M-Con Innovations, explores advancements by Psionic and Agrecision, discusses Virginia's growing tech scene, autonomous dron...

Terrel Majette joins the Fervent Four podcast to share his journey from aspiring actor to CEO of Jett Production Company. They explore the impact of entertainment industry strikes and Terrel's victory in the Franklin startup business competition. Terrel shares his journey, military experience, and the origin of the Jett Production Company and touches on emotional milestones. Chapters: (0:00) Intro...

Amber Hamilton and Sara Brown join us for a lively discussion covering various topics from Baltimore's culture to Sara's Virginia Beach roots.  They address biases and their impact on female entrepreneurs and discuss the media's role in shaping societal views. The episode also touches on authenticity, well-being, marketing pitfalls, and setting realistic revenue goals.  Chapters:  (0:00) Introduct...

Peter Grimm and Kris Cravey from Fahrenheit Advisors join the podcast to discuss the Hampton Roads workforce study, and delve into the study's key findings, methodology, and surprising revelations. The conversation addresses economic development, cost of living, wages, and the impact of remote work on talent acquisition. They also explore regional identity, local culture, and encouraging regional...

Tune in to hear Neal Frazier discuss his journey, from a unique fruitarian lifestyle to knocking out the same tooth multiple times. Discover how Neal Frazier Tech offers comprehensive web solutions and learn the importance of purpose in everyday life and business. Chapters:  (0:00) Introduction and greetings; Book tour and event; Parking garage confusion (4:12) Neal Frazier introduction and backgr...

Alasha Bennett joins to discuss the impact and origins of the Bennett Center, emphasizing the entrepreneurial mindset and the importance of networking. The conversation covers Virginia Beach's economic development, youth success stories, and the role of books and AI in business. They delve into educating kids on pricing, thoughts on the educational system, and challenges like funding and policies....