The Shades of Entrepreneurship™

How do you start a small business and create a welcoming space in your community? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Joël Flores, Co-Owner of Wallflower Coffee Co, to explore the journey of a first-time entrepreneur launching a coffee shop in Southeast Portland’s Richmond neighborhood. Joël shares the challenges, surprises, and strategies he enco...

How do entrepreneurs collaborate to create meaningful social impact while growing their businesses? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Iwa Hooe, CEO of Sock-it-to-Me, and Kara Frazier, Founder of Fighting Pretty, to explore a unique collaboration aimed at raising awareness for breast cancer. Iwa and Kara discuss how their partnership originated f...

How do you take a product and make it better while creating a thriving business? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Kevin Fallon and David Dombrow, Co-Creators of Speedland, to discuss their journey of designing extreme footwear for extreme conditions. Kevin and David share insights from over 20 years of experience in the footwear industry, highl...

How do you turn a business idea into a thriving company with the right guidance and resources? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Rick Turoczy, General Manager and Co-Founder of PIE, to explore how early-stage entrepreneurs can receive support, mentorship, and access to resources needed to build successful businesses. Rick shares his experience w...

How do you build a strong brand in the digital age while navigating the complexities of marketing, social media, and SEO? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Ryan Negrini and Cassidy Campbell, Co-Founders of Modern Ally, to explore how entrepreneurs can leverage digital tools to create impactful brands. Ryan and Cassidy share their journey of buil...

How do you turn a personal passion into a thriving franchise business? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Adam Havens, Owner of Beaverton & Lake Oswego Stretch Lab Studios, to explore his journey from family business experience to franchise ownership. Adam shares insights on turning a love for fitness and marathon running into a profitable bu...

How do you balance risk, reward, and social responsibility while running a business? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Brian Grades, Owner of The Pharmacy, to explore his journey from union employee to bar owner and entrepreneur. Brian shares how he leveraged professional guidance to calculate risks, make strategic decisions, and build a busines...

How do you turn a personal challenge into an innovative business solution? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Lindsey Murphy, Founder & COO of Murphy Media, to discuss how she transformed her experience as a nanny into a virtual educational platform that supports families and engages children. Lindsey shares her journey from hands-on childcar...

How do you transition from athletic success to entrepreneurial innovation while building a creative brand? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Steven Christian, Creator and Founder of Iltopia Studios, to explore his journey from high school football standout to college scholarship athlete, and now to founder of a creative business pushing the boun...

How do you turn a passion for wellness and self-care into a thriving business? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Chelsea Power, Owner of Luxe Massage and Spa, to discuss creating a business centered on wellness, self-care, and entrepreneurial innovation. Chelsea shares her journey from a family of Oregon entrepreneurs to building a spa that prov...

How do you cultivate thriving startup ecosystems while supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Paige Hendrix Buckner, COO of Founder Gym, to explore her work in tech startup mentorship, grassroots education, and community-building. Paige shares her experience helping entrepreneurs build skills, access r...

How do you turn thrifting and creative resourcefulness into a thriving business? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Ariana Tobe and Morgan Wissel, Founders of Pink Cloud, to explore how they transformed secondhand items into fashionable treasures and a successful resale business. Ariana and Morgan share their journey from childhood friendship to...

How do you turn a home-based idea into a thriving business with a unique brand identity? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Genevieve Brazelton, Founder and CMO of The Bitter Housewife, to explore building a business from home while creating products that celebrate inclusivity and creativity. Genevieve shares her journey of developing craft bitte...

How do you transform personal challenges into a mission-driven business that improves healthcare for all? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Darius “Bubs” Monsef, Founder & CEO of Brave Care and serial entrepreneur/angel investor, to discuss his journey from couch surfing to building a healthcare startup with a crowdsourced foundation. Darius...

How do you turn creativity, gaming, and artistic vision into a thriving entrepreneurial venture? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Xtonyx Steven Wallace, Founder of @xkawaiiwestx, to explore how imagination and creativity can become the foundation of a successful business. Xtonyx shares his journey from childhood interests in video games and art...

How do you create entrepreneurship that drives both personal success and community impact? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Juan Barraza, Co-Founder of Latino Founders, founder of a digital health startup, and lead organizer of Portland Startup Weekend Latino, to explore how entrepreneurship innovation can empower communities. Juan shares his e...

How do you turn a personal passion into a successful entrepreneurial career? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Mike Forsey, Co-Founder of Payntr Golf, to discuss the journey of transforming a love for footwear into a career and business built on innovation. Mike shares his insights on designing products that resonate with customers, navigating t...

How do you turn a mission to eliminate negativity and empower others into a purpose-driven business? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Dawne Hanks, Founder of Eliminate Girl Hate, to discuss the impact of unconscious bias, corporate culture, and social entrepreneurship. Dawne shares her journey from corporate America to founding a brand dedicate...

How do you build a business from the ground up with limited resources while staying adaptable and creative? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Jennifer Pahl, Owner of Twist Yoga, to discuss the realities of bootstrapping a small business, managing growth, and pivoting strategically to meet customer needs. Jennifer shares her journey of using pers...

What does it take to lead a small business while balancing mentorship, community, and personal growth? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Desmond Boots, Founder and Owner of Outlaw Auto Detail, to explore the realities of small business ownership during challenging times, including a different kind of pandemic. Desmond shares insights on leadersh...

What does it take to build a marketing brand into an industry leader? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Scott Ericson, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of WheelHouse 20/20, to discuss the strategies behind full-service marketing, business development, and delivering value to clients. Scott shares his journey from a rural community to executive leadership...

How do you turn a personal story into a thriving fashion brand with a purpose? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Jennifer Ferguson, Founder and CEO of Handful, to explore how she transformed an adolescent nickname into a fashion brand focused on fashion, function, feel, fun, and fighting breast cancer. Jennifer shares her journey from start-up t...

How do you successfully pivot when one chapter ends and a new entrepreneurial journey begins? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Kati Reardon, Co-Founder of The Nightwood Society and Chief Operating Officer of Burgerville, to explore the art of navigating business transitions, product development, and strategic growth. Kati shares her experiences...

How do you overcome personal and business debt while building long-term wealth? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Devon Horace, Product Owner, Author, and Founder of Horace Consulting, to discuss practical strategies for financial literacy, debt management, and wealth creation. Devon shares his personal journey of paying off $50,000 in debt in u...

How do you transform a simple passion into a thriving brand while leveraging creative marketing strategies? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Giovanni Fillari, Creator of Coffee Feed and former Nike North American Brand and Marketing leader, to explore the intersection of creativity, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Giovanni shares how he took a...