Shows
UNHIREDYour Business Will Evolve, And So Will You (with Jenn Schimmelpfennig)In this episode, we’re joined by Jenn Schimmelpfennig, President and Founder of Pivot Brands, for a conversation about growth, space, and what it means to keep evolving after nearly two decades in business. Jenn recently moved her team out of their longtime office in Fletcher Place—where they’d been based for many years—and into CoHatch Polk Stables, a coworking space that’s brought renewed energy and momentum. We talk about the symbolism of that move, what’s shifted in her leadership, and how she’s continuing to scale the business with focus and clarity. Jenn’s story is a real...2025-05-0535 minUNHIREDReconnecting with Yourself So You Can Lead Others (with Kendra Stoll)Kendra Stoll, a designer and leadership wellness guide, joins us for a powerful conversation about connection, healing, and the unseen toll of how we work. In this episode, we dig into her transition from running a design business to focusing on leadership wellness—helping leaders reconnect with themselves so they can lead others more effectively. Kendra shares what she’s learned from launching wellness offerings inside corporate spaces, why our gut health is more important than we think, and how small shifts in self-awareness can transform leadership from the inside out. It’s an honest, refreshing, and timely look at...2025-04-1448 minUNHIREDWhat VCs Look for When Making an Investment (with Michael Kelly)Michael Kelly, co-founder and CEO of Developertown, joins us for a deep dive into his 15+ year journey building businesses in Indianapolis. From consulting solo at age 13 to managing a portfolio of over 60 companies, Mike shares how he’s navigated the highs, lows, and chaotic middle of entrepreneurship. We talk about everything from why equity-for-services is a trap (don't do it), to how venture studios actually work, to what he looks for in early-stage founders when investing through Start Something Ventures. If you’re thinking about raising capital or building a portfolio of your own, this one’s packed with perspe...2025-03-3144 minUNHIREDMaking it Up as We Grow (Featuring Daniel Herndon)In this episode of Unhired, I sit down with Daniel Herndon to talk about the realities of entrepreneurship, the unexpected twists of building a business, and the lessons learned along the way. From navigating challenges to finding clarity in the chaos, Daniel shares insights that every founder can relate to. We also dive into how he approaches problem-solving, what fuels his drive, and why sometimes the best business moves come from the most unexpected places. If you’ve ever felt like you’re making it up as you go (spoiler: we all are), this episode is for you.2025-03-1753 minUNHIREDWhat Comes After the Exit? (Featuring John Harden)In this episode of Unhired, we chat with John Harden about the intersection of business, non-profits, and acquisitions. John shares insights from his experience building Saaslio and how the acquisition has affected his career trajectory in joining the acquiring company, Auvik. We also discuss leveraging community organizations like CompTIA to grow a network of like-minded peers, and what it takes to navigate major industry shifts. If you're curious about what happens after the acquisition, this one’s for you. 2025-03-0340 minUNHIREDAvoiding Your Books Won't Save You (Featuring Matt Tait)In this episode of Unhired, we sit down with Matt Tait, CEO and founder of Decimal, a company that provides bookkeeping and tax services for small businesses. Matt shares his journey as a serial entrepreneur, discussing the ups and downs of running multiple businesses (including his background as a recovering lawyer). He opens up about lessons learned, the realities of business finances, and why bookkeeping isn't just a necessary evil—it’s a crucial piece of building a sustainable business. We also dive into what it takes to grow a company, why founders often struggle with financial mana...2025-02-1729 minUNHIREDBuilding Human-Centric Brands (Featuring Lindsay Tjepkema)In this episode, I sit down with Lindsay Tjepkema, a three-time founder and career marketer who now runs Human Brands Win, a company dedicated to helping businesses grow through brand storytelling and authentic communication. Lindsay shares her journey from Indianapolis to Boston, her insights on why brand authenticity is non-negotiable, and the lessons she’s learned from building companies. We discuss the evolution of marketing, the struggles of entrepreneurship, and how brands can genuinely connect with their audiences in a noisy digital world. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your brand more human (and why that matters), this...2025-02-0327 minUNHIREDEpisode 21: Reinventing Apartment Marketing (Featuring Andrea Michele Taylor )In this episode, I sit down with Andrea Michele Taylor, founder and CEO of Livsee, a PropTech startup revolutionizing the way apartment owners market to renters. Andrea shares her journey from corporate innovation to entrepreneurship, her challenges navigating a male-dominated industry, and the lessons she learned along the way. She discusses Livsee's unique approach to blending market validation with product development and their commitment to enhancing renter experiences through data-driven solutions. Andrea also reflects on her experiences in private equity, the importance of quitting when something no longer serves you, and her vision of creating meaningful change for renters...2025-01-2134 minUNHIREDEpisode 20: The Future of Regenerative Farming (Featuring Jessi Roesch)In this episode, Allison chats with Jessi Roesch, founder and CEO of Downland, a company focused on connecting land stewards with private land to foster climate-smart farming. Jessi shares her entrepreneurial journey, how Downland came about, and the challenges of building a two-sided marketplace for farmers and landowners. She talks about the importance of regenerative agriculture, her insights on fundraising in today’s landscape, and her experience navigating investor conversations. The discussion touches on mental resilience, the significance of surrounding yourself with supportive people, and the value of Radical Candor in business relationships.2024-12-1639 minUNHIREDEpisode 19: Stories From Behind the Camera (Featuring Andy Mork)This episode, Andy Mork joins the podcast. Founder of Mork Productions and BrandSlap, Andy discusses the challenges of managing high-demand projects and juggling multiple video shoots across different states. Andy dives into the logistics of running a business that deals with rapid project turnover, the stress of frequent travel, and the importance of having a strong, reliable team. He shares insights on scaling operations, handling customer relationships, and growing a second company.2024-12-0247 minUNHIREDEpisode 18: Navigating Identity and Growth (with Nida Ansari)In this episode, Allison talks with Nida Ansari, founder of Karmic Partners. Nida shares her journey from corporate to entrepreneurship, discussing the evolution of her career, including her work in corporate ventures and her passion for innovation. She highlights the challenges of launching Karmic Partners, which focuses on helping startups and nonprofits unlock growth through strategic partnerships and hands-on collaboration. Nida also dives into the emotional aspects of identity, home, and belonging, touching on her experiences as an immigrant and how travel and cultural diversity have shaped her worldview. Throughout the conversation, both Allison and Nida reflect on the...2024-11-1854 minUNHIREDEpisode 17: From Telehealth to Tabletop RPGs (Featuring Michael Hawryluk)In this episode of *Unhired*, Allison chats with Michael Hawryluk, a seasoned tech professional and entrepreneur who shares his journey from working in tech startups to founding a telehealth company with his brother during the pandemic. Michael discusses his work across technology roles, including development, project management, and as a CTO, as well as his side passion for game design through his company Accidental Cyclops. They dive into his entrepreneurial ventures, the challenges of developing a telehealth platform, navigating marketing in a competitive space, and how partnerships with physicians have been key to growth. Michael also gives insights into...2024-11-0434 minUNHIREDBuilding A Creative Community (Featuring Rebecca and Aaron Zettler)In this episode, Aaron and Rebecca Zettler, co-owners of Draft Creative Space and Open Frame, discuss their transition from corporate life at Lilly to becoming entrepreneurs. They dive into the challenges of leaving their stable engineering careers, how they met and quickly started collaborating on renovation projects, and the birth of their businesses. The Zettlers share insights on balancing personal life, work, and their passion for design and community building. They touch on work-life balance, the evolution of their spaces, and the importance of community in their business ventures. The couple also reflects on future goals, including growing their...2024-10-2133 min
UNHIREDWhere The Entrepreneurial Road Ends (Featuring Ellie Symes)In this episode, Allison interviews Ellie Symes, former founder of The Bee Corp, an ag-tech company focused on solving the honeybee health crisis. After leading the company for a decade, Ellie opens up about the emotional process of selling her business, sharing the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. They dive into the mental toll of running a company, the importance of therapy, and how Ellie has transitioned into her new role at the McKinney Family Foundation, where she’s now working on funding climate solutions in Indiana. It's an honest discussion about mental health, burnout, and the sometimes harsh re...2024-10-0741 min
UNHIREDProduct Feedback and Validation (Featuring Sean Gigremosa)In this episode, I had the opportunity to chat with Sean Gigremosa, founder of Claritiv, a conversation intelligence tool designed to transform business conversations into actionable insights. Sean’s journey began in the tech world as a developer for major players like AOL and Warner Brothers, eventually moving into product management at Rolls-Royce and Premiere Digital Services. His experience revealed a gap in how companies manage and remember key conversations, leading him to create Claritiv to solve that problem. We discussed how Claritiv helps teams synthesize key details from meetings, pulling out pain points, action items, and mor...2024-09-2326 min
UNHIREDEpisode 13: Good Humans in Sales (Featuring Ian Illig)Ian Illig recounts his career path and how he transitioned from being the first salesperson at Bluebridge to starting his own company, Stompbox. He shares his experiences in the tech industry and the challenges of finding product-market fit. Ian also talks about his passion for music and being a songwriter in his band, GREGØRIAN. Allison and Ian's conversation flows from navigating work-life balance to finding product-market fit, and focusing on being a good human along the way.2024-09-0937 min
UNHIREDEpisode 12: Finding Growth Capital in 2024 (Featuring Steve Iskander)Steve Iskander, founder and CEO of Intrepid Finance, discusses the challenges faced by early-stage and scaling companies to access capital. He highlights the importance of non-dilutive growth capital as an alternative to traditional funding sources like venture capital. Steve shares his background in operations and finance, as well as his own experience as a founder. He emphasizes the need for education around debt financing and the different options available to founders. Steve also talks about the growth of Intrepid Finance, the role of technology in their business, and the challenges they have faced along the way.2024-08-2633 minUNHIREDEpisode 11: Asset Management is a Long Game (Featuring Austin Crites)In this conversation, Allison interviews Austin Crites, Chief Investment Officer at Aurora Asset Management and professor at Marion University about his career journey. They discuss the importance of long-term investing, managing emotions in investment decisions, and the need for self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Austin shares his approach to building investment portfolios and emphasizes the importance of minimizing error and focusing on misaligned incentives and competitive advantages. He also highlights the need to enjoy the journey and live in the present moment.2024-08-1238 minUNHIREDEpisode 10: Riches Are in The Niches (Featuring Rick McGlinchey) Rick McGlinchey, CEO and co-founder of Pure Insights, shares his journey from in-house work to independent consulting to starting Pure Insights. He emphasizes the importance of going all-in on solving a specific problem for a specific audience and the benefits of bootstrapping. Rick discusses the challenges of being a founder, including the need for effective communication and the importance of hiring experienced talent. He also highlights the value of building a strong team and the joy of being able to act and give back to the community. Rick shares insights on the growth strategy of Pure Insights, focusing on...2024-07-2946 minUNHIREDEpisode 9: MSPs, YouTube, and Hot Sauce (Featuring Tom Lawrence)Tom Lawrence shares his journey in the MSP space, his passion for finding unique solutions, and the importance of documentation and validation in the tech industry. We also talk about his YouTube channel, where he provides behind-the-scenes insights and unbiased reviews of enterprise IT products. Tom also shares his experience with growing his YouTube channel and provides advice for those considering creating content. He highlights the importance of focusing on creating value for the audience and teaching them something valuable. Tom also discusses his recent merger and how it has allowed him to focus more on his passion for...2024-07-1543 minUNHIREDEpisode 8: Floristry isn't all Flowers (Featuring Tera Stover) Tera Stover, a florist based in Phoenix, AZ, shares her journey of starting her own floral design business and the challenges she faces as a solopreneur. She discusses the misconceptions about being a florist and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating beautiful floral arrangements. Tera also talks about the importance of building relationships with clients and the joy she finds in creating meaningful experiences through her work. In this conversation, Tera discusses the challenges of DIY wedding planning and the importance of hiring professional vendors. We also talk about ghosting and the negative impact it has on vendors...2024-07-0138 minUNHIREDEpisode 7: Hard Tech is, well... Hard! (Featuring Dan Champoux) Dan Champoux shares the journey of GEKOT Robotics and how what started as an idea from the kids' robotics team he coached turned into multiple patents, a partnership with Razor, and the development of a solution for light electric vehicle safety. We talk about the challenges of fundraising and the importance of finding a path to revenue, and Dan reflects on the mistakes and lessons learned along the way (including the value of attracting smart people and finding free resources). Dan emphasizes the combination of hard work and luck in building a successful company and discusses his motivation to...2024-06-1737 min
UNHIREDEpisode 6: Self-Care, Boundary Setting, and The Future of Recruiting (Featuring Amy Oviedo) In this conversation, Amy Oviedo joins the podcast to discuss her journey in the recruiting industry and the challenges she's faced in starting her own business, Recruiting Experiences. We also talk about the current state of the job market and the indicators of an upswing. Amy shares her experiences with imposter syndrome, explosive growth followed by a downturn, and the importance of taking care of oneself. We also touch on the struggle of business development and the need to find new channels for leads. Amy shares her journey as a recruiter and entrepreneur and discusses the importance of self-care...2024-06-0339 min
UNHIREDEpisode 5: Mental Health, Fundraising, and Embracing the Entrepreneurial Mindset (Featuring Brian Schroeder) In this episode, Brian Schroeder shares his journey as the founder of Preventia and the challenges he's faced along the way. He emphasizes the importance of having a support network and surrounding yourself with people who can inspire hope. We discuss the importance of focusing on the core value of a business and the need to drive towards providing value to the end user and buyer, as well as the challenges and considerations of fundraising for startups, including the need to qualify if raising money is even necessary and understanding the different types of investors and funding...2024-05-2040 min
UNHIREDEpisode 4: Soft Skills, Obnoxious Generosity, and $100k Mistakes (Featuring Laura Hayes)Laura Hayes shares her background and journey to becoming a leadership coach for the manufacturing and logistics industry. She emphasizes the importance of teaching management skills and helping leaders develop soft skills. Laura discusses the right time for someone to bring in a leadership consultant and the impact it can have on a team's productivity. She also talks about her approach to coaching and the importance of accountability. Laura explains why she chose to focus on the manufacturing industry and the impact she can make in that space. She shares her commitment to obnoxious generosity and giving back to...2024-05-0636 minUNHIREDEpisode 3: Ego Death, Asking for Help, and Navigating Male-Dominated Spaces (Featuring Tina Liu)In this episode, Tina Liu, owner of TSL Partners, a full-service accounting and bookkeeping agency, discusses navigating male-dominated spaces, ego death, and knowing when to ask for help. Tina emphasizes the importance of persistence and tenacity in entrepreneurship and the need to constantly learn, adapt, and evolve. She also discusses the challenges of being a woman and a minority in a male-dominated industry and the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-worth. Takeaways: Entrepreneurship requires a combination of humility and resilience. It's important to be honest about your abilities, learn from failures, and constantly adapt and evolve. Understanding your numbers a...2024-04-1541 min
UNHIREDEpisode 2: Loneliness, Cash Flow, and Individual Growth (Featuring Alex Sventeckis)Joining us for today’s episode is Alex Sventeckis. Alex owns Sventeckis content consulting where he trains PR agencies to write better content that converts. In this episode, we dive into founder loneliness, managing cash flow, and the continued pursuit of individual growth. Where to find Alex Website: https://sventeckis.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-sventeckis Schedule a free 30-minute content consulting session with Alex: https://tidycal.com/mndp003/content-consult202311150344012024-04-0142 min
UNHIREDEpisode 1: Travel, Burnout, and Refusing to work with A**holes (featuring Bo Turner)Our first episode features Bo Turner, co-owner of BoCo Collective and founder of The Truckstop. We cover the intersection of work and travel, strategies for managing burnout, and the importance of choosing clients wisely.2024-02-2832 min