The Innovators Podcast

On this episode of The Innovators Podcast, we interviewed former ISURP intern, Abigail Miller. Abigail graduated from Iowa State University in May, 2020 with a Bachelor's degree in marketing. She is currently working at Ag Certain Industries as business analyst and talent coordinator and at OEI as a community coordinator.   In this episode, we talked about Abigail's past internships along with her...

In this episode, we talked with Katherine Richardson Bruna. Katherine is a professor at Iowa State University in the School of Education. She has a background in educational anthropology. Katherines newest project is a comic book teaching about the unknowns of mosquitoes, titled "Mosquitos Suck". Every day, Katherine has the opportunity to use understandings gained through her training as a social...

In our final Cystarter Students episode, we were joined by Eric Diaz and Abraham Polonia-Suarez, the creators of City City Bang Bang, as well as Jacob Schmieder, the creator of Varsity Instrument Lights. City City Bang Bang is a company whose goal is to act as a middle man between the government and citizens. Varsity Instrument Lights is a company that creates lights that activate based on the sou...

In this episode, we will wrap up our Cystarters series podcasts! We sat down with incoming sophomore at Iowa State University, Kendra Boone. She is the creator of STGMA, a personal care company bringing awareness to the mental health issues that college students and young adults face. Her products promote self-care and create an informative and supportive online community that will help end the st...

On this episode, we interviewed Sara Wollner. Sara is the Regional Team Leader and Global Planner at Syngenta Seeds here at the Iowa State University Research Park. Syngenta is an agriculture company that sells plant seeds to farmers. Sara talks about her road to get where she is today and dives into her experience as a woman in a male-driven field. She is a mother and during the episode she talks...

This episode continues our Cystarters Students series. We sat down with Gabe Huinker and Isaac Bradford. Gabe is the founder of RecHelper, a website that supports gyms and personal trainers in their planning, financial, or organizational structures. RecHelper.com has recently launched and Gabe is excited to build his clientele starting with Iowa State University. Isaac has created the website Filt...

On episode 20 of The Innovators Podcast, we sat down with the Regional Director of the Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Lisa Shimkat. She has worked with SBDC for over seven years and is very experienced in the innovative areas of small business success in Iowa. In this podcast, Lisa and I discuss her career, advice for students, and her experience with mentorship. To learn more abou...

In this episode, we sat down with Jo Allen and Mason Weh. They are both a part of this year's Cystarters Program. Jo is the founder of her business, Jovisuals, a photography company that aims to uplift and empower BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals. Through her photography, she can offer an inclusive and creative experience for all clients. Mason is the founder of Mentoring for Change. His mission is to...

On episode 19, we met with Ethan Pitt. Ethan is a Technology and Innovation Start-up Advisor for America's SBDC Iowa. He is a very experienced individual with an excitement for innovation in the technology space. Listen to hear more about what SBDC does and what role Ethan plays as an advisor.   To learn more about SBDC: https://iowasbdc.org/

On this episode, we interviewed four members of this years Cystarters Program: Cole Schumacher, Isaac Meyerholz, Carissa Moyna, and Andrew Frank. Cole and Isaac are the founders of Renew Bamboo. They sell hand-crafted bamboo straws made by women in India. They are working to empower workers and have a focus on sustainability. Carissa and Andrew have founded Core Living Compost, a compost pickup an...

On this episode, we interviewed Max Mussell, a 2017 graduate of Iowa State University. Currently, Max is in the process of launching an app for at-home-grooming services called, Updo. Listen to hear more about the future of the beauty industry and about how Max developed this product. Also, be sure to follow Updo on social media: @updo and on Spotify/Apple as "The Updo Podcast"

On this episode, we interview senior ISURP interns, Carter Mumm, Matt Stenzel, Tori Novotny, and Tavin Hays. They share some of their favorite memories of working at The Research Park as well as advice to others and plans after graduation. Each intern was able to mention a few mentors that they have had during their time as an intern and a student at Iowa State University. Hear their stories and l...

On this episode we interview Chris James, founder of True 360, a company that creates virtual reality experiences for zoos and aquariums. Chris has been active in various Iowa State University entrepreneurship programs like CyStarters, pitch competitions, and the ISU Startup Factory. It was awesome to hear Chris's story.

On episode 13, we get to sit down with Shane Rothlisberger. Shane is a full-time pastor, full-time father (he will soon have 9 kids!), and part-time athlete. He started his company, Versalifts, after seeing a need in the functional fitness world. Versalifts' product is a raised-heel insert that can go in virtually any shoe to improve range of motion in squat movements.   Check out their website, v...

On this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Diana Wright, Program Coordinator for the ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship. Diana's real world startup experience helps her create meaningful programs for students at ISU through the Pappajohn Center. We talk about a number of the programs offered at ISU and how students can get more involved! Enjoy!

On this episode, we chat with Ray Schmidt, founder of Farm Story Meats . Farm Story Meats delivers fresh animal protein directly to customers' doors. Ray was inspired by his father's agricultural career. We get to talk about some of Ray's other adventures throughout his career, including Patches O Pumpkins .   We hope you enjoy this episode, thanks for listening!

Priyankaa Krishnan is a user experience designer, learning experience designer, and educator. She has a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry and as an accidental entrepreneur. She is the founder of Cards For Women, Misfit Noodle and her newest venture How To Educator. She is skilled in Curriculum Development, Design Thinking, User Experience, Graphic Design, Teaching Pe...

On episode 9, we get to chat with Tom Swartwood, Associate Professor of Practice of Entrepreneurship in the Ivy College of Business and Inaugural Entrepreneurship Fellow for the Pappajohn Center. Tom held positions in law and investment banking before making the move to Iowa and starting his teaching career. We learn all about Tom's background and some of the exciting programs he works with now.  ...

On episode 8, we chat with Jeff Gillis, Kierste Miller, and Greg Boruff. They are the team at Stockguard, a startup that is changing the way the livestock industry thinks about insurance. Jeff and Kierste started the company early last year and recently brought Greg onto the team. Each brings a unique perspective to the business- Jeff worked on the Google Analytics team, Kierste is an epidemiologi...

On episode 7 of The Innovators Podcast, we get to know student body President Morgan Fritz and Vice President Jacob Schrader. Morgan and Jacob are coming up on the end of their Presidential terms this spring, so we wanted to hear what they had to say about their time in student government, learn about some of their hobbies, and pick their brains about innovation on campus.   Morgan is a junior stu...

On episode 6, we host Kenny Kyle, General Manger of the TMC Student Training Center located right here in the Research Park. The TMC Student Training Center hosts around 20 interns every year during the summer, fall, and spring semesters. This episode will really appeal to students who might be interested in an internship or career with TMC!   TMC is recognized as an industry leader in flatbed tra...

Episode 5 of The Innovators Podcast features Rick Sanders, President and Director of the Iowa State University Research Park. Rick began his time at the Park in May of 2019 after stints in county government and athletics administration. Rick gave us some insight into his background in leadership that sets the stage for his work with the ISURP, including his mantra of "finding wins for as many peop...

Episode 4 features Judi Eyles, Director of the ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship. Judi has led the Center since its inception and also directs ISU's CyBiz Lab, a student consulting group. Some main topics from the podcast include CyStarters (a summer-long incubator for students), CyBiz Lab, and some exciting news from the Startup Factory, ISU's 52-week incubator program. To learn more abou...

On episode 3 of The Innovators Podcast, we chat with Clayton Mooney, co-founder of Nebullam. Nebullam is an indoor farming company located right here in the Research Park.   After spending time at Iowa State and in Europe playing professional poker, Clayton returned to Ames and started his first company, KinoSol. KinoSol manufactures solar food dehydrators for farmer in developing countries. After...

For episode 2 of The Innovators Podcast, we host Jim Fay, ISU alum, inventor of the Diaper Genie, and serial entrepreneur. Jim was the father of Huggies Pullups and Huggies Baby Wipes while working at Kimberly-Clark and later founded the company that invented the Diaper Genie (the #1 non-disposable baby product in the U.S.).   Jim has returned to Iowa State to teach classes in the Engineering and...