Shows
Entrepreneurial InsightsA Panel Presentation On Protecting Your BrandThe Society of Entrepreneurs and Epicenter Memphis recently presented “Protecting Your Brand”, a panel on harnessing your skills to bring the best product to your customer while also knowing when to say no to protect the integrity of your brand. This panel features Susan Stephenson of Independent Bank, Shannon Briggs of Campfire Collective, Lisa Toro of City & State, Bartholomew Jones of Cxffeeblack, and our moderator Mike Bruns, retired Founder of Comtrak Logistics. We hope that you will enjoy this podcast featuring this very informative presentation. Susan Stephenson is a passionate Memphian, proud mom of four and grandmother of 1...2023-07-2841 min
MIX AT MIDNIGHTTrance Forever 18**TRACKLIST**
* Craig Connelly, HALIENE - Other Side of the World
* Ralphie B - Artemis
* Rusty Spica - Lotta
* John O'Callaghan, Bryan Kearney - Exactly (Ralphie B Extended Remix)
* Metta & Glyde - Mirrored Soul (Original Mix)
* Mike Koglin - The Silence (AstroFegs Remix)
* Sneijder - Dawn
* Alex M.O.R.P.H., A.R.D.I - Guadalupe
* Inoblivion - Silver Was The Sky (Original Mix)
* Talla 2xlc - The Door
* BT - Godspeed (Maria Healy Extended Remix)
* Beyond The Storm - Etheria (Original Mix)
* James Black...2023-07-181h 28
Entrepreneurial InsightsChris BirdFrom his earliest recollections Chris Bird was always interested in business, commerce and sales-from operating drink stands by the neighborhood tennis court to advertising his lawn mowing business on white match book cases with a rubber stamp with his contact information. In college, Chris even started 1520 Enterprises Unlimited to loan money to friends who were short on funds pending payday or mom and dad’s deposit. Although unincorporated and unlicensed that business was very similar to today’s payday and title loan businesses. After college, at this grandfather’s urging, Chris studied for and passed the life insura...2023-07-1441 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsFrank Cianciola (S4E6)Frank J. Cianciola serves as Founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Banc3 Holdings, Inc. He began his financial services career at Union Planters in 1973 and from 1984-1992 he held a variety of executive positions with Commerce Union Bank (C&S Sovran). From 1992-1995, Cianciola served as CFO of The Memphis Group, Inc., a $60 million aerospace company. In 1995, he became CEO of Victory Bank and Trust, followed by his role as Founder, CEO and Chairman of Renasant Bank. Frank served on the publicly held Renasant (RNST) Bank’s Board from 2004 – 2009. Most recently, he served as Chairman and...2023-06-3038 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsPhil CoopPhillip G. Coop is the co-founder and Chairman of Memphis, Tennessee based EnSafe Inc., one of the nation’s largest environmental and safety consulting firms. The original founders, Phil Coop, Wendell Knight, and James Speakman were motivated by their strong desire to pursue careers (then unavailable in the commercial sector) that intersected business, science and public policy related to environmental protection and safety. EnSafe manages environmental and safety risk issues for companies throughout the United States from 15 offices nationwide. The Company also performs projects worldwide. EnSafe was founded in 1980 in Memphis, grew rapidly, and by 1994 was listed by INC Ma...2023-06-1641 minEntrepreneurial InsightsDenise Higdon, James Kelley, Dr. Mary McDonaldThis podcast is a little different than our others because we noticed a theme in many of our interviews on the importance of mentoring. We invited Denise Higdon, CEO of Work Site Consultants and James Kelley, Partner-Operations and Business Development at the KGR Group to join us and mentor Extraordinaire, Dr. Mary McDonald to share their thoughts on mentoring. Both Denise and James participate in the Society of Entrepreneurs mentoring group, the Insights group. We hope that you will enjoy hearing about this program and what it means to the participants. Links to items mentioned in the int...2023-05-2648 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsDoug Marchant (S4EP3)Doug Marchant is a serial entrepreneur that was honored as the 2023 Master Entrepreneur by The Society of Entrepreneurs and Junior Achievement for his impact as an entrepreneur and in the community. Doug Marchant is the President/CEO of Unified Health Services (www.uhsweb.com). In 1997, he was one of the original founders of Unified Health Services. Under his leadership UHS has become a leading provider of worker’s compensation claim processing services nationally, handling over 400,000 patient visits annually for hospitals and medical groups in 26 states. After graduating from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Sci...2023-05-1235 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsJay Myers (S4E2)Jay B. Myers is founder and CEO of Interactive Solutions Inc. (ISI), a Memphis-based firm that specializes in video conferencing, distance learning, telemedicine, and audio-visual sales and support. Jay started ISI in 1996 and has built it into a $25-million company with 55 employees & offices in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, as well as Oxford, MS, & Little Rock, AR. ISI has received numerous corporate awards and recognition in the past several years. The company was named to INC. magazine’s list of the fastest growing private companies in the United States seven times in the past 11 years. ISI also wa...2023-04-2838 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsGoing to Market (S4E1)The Entrepreneurial Insights podcast kicked off season 4 with a live taping of a presentation on “Going to Market”. The podcast features Kiamesha Wilson (Kaye's Pints & Scoops), Randy Stepherson (Superlo Foods - Stepherson's) and Art Seessel, formerly of Seessel’s Supermarket. These veteran entrepreneurs shared some excellent insight on the ins and outs of "going to market" with products successfully. We hope that you enjoy the show. Links to items mentioned in the interview: Kaye’s Pints and Scoops Superlo / Stepherson’s Grocery Stores Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South...2023-04-1436 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsJohn Wilcox (S3BONUS)On his ninth birthday, John Wilcox was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. These days, he’s looking to help others with the same health condition. Wilcox is the CEO and cofounder of Diatech Diabetes, a local medical device startup that’s developing a software platform to help people with diabetes obtain proper amounts of insulin. There are about 600,000 diabetes patients who use insulin pumps in the U.S. They regularly inject insulin into their body, ideally ensuring that they receive the correct amount of insulin. The margin for error is high, though, and malfunctions happen frequently. Diat...2022-07-1341 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsRon ColemanRon Coleman is the President of Competition Cams, a world leader in valve train technology, and under his management the company has acquired several other businesses, including TCI Automotive, LLC and Quarter Master Industries. Coleman founded the National Muscle Car Association, which is recognized as the largest national sanctioning group dedicated to street-legal vehicles. He is also the Founder, President and Chairman of Xceleration Media, LLC, which was acquired by Power Automedia. Coleman was elected to the White House Conference on Small Business twice. He served on the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Advisory Council, was...2022-06-2248 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsAndy Ticer and Michael Hudman (S3E9)Natives of Memphis, Andy and Michael began cooking as children. Their extended Italian families would gather for jovial Sunday suppers, where everyone would help make homemade meatballs and ravioli. When Andy and Michael met at Christian Brothers High School, they immediately connected over their similar ancestral backstories. After graduating from the University of Mississippi and Auburn University, respectively, Andy and Michael attended Johnson and Wales University in Charleston, SC and the Italian Institute for Advanced Culinary Studies in Calabria, Italy. Both Andy’s and MIchael's first formative kitchen experience was working under Chef Jose Gutierrez at Chez Philippe in Me...2022-06-0841 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsHarry SmithHarry Smith's years in public accounting prepared him for his life-changing career move to the Schilling Companies, Inc. as he assumed the role of Chairman and CEO of the 1,000-person company. This is the holding company for the real estate and automotive divisions. He also owned, in partnership with Boyle Investment Company, Schilling Farms, a 448-acre planned business development in Collierville, TN. Over the past 35 years, Smith has been involved in a number of businesses which include automotive parts, industrial engines, heating and cooling distribution and over ten different automobile dealerships of all makes and models. He has served...2022-05-2539 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsGary DodsonWhen Tommy Earl and Gary Dodson purchased four of Barloworld Truck Center’s dealerships in the summer of 2007, they say their $25 million bought the best Barloworld had to offer in the Freightliner business in terms of employees and customers. The service center and dealership locations are in Jackson, Tennessee; Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Tupelo, Mississippi; with headquarters in Memphis. With the purchases, Earl and Dodson formed TAG (an acronym for Tommy and Gary) Truck Enterprises LLC. Perhaps this intrinsic link between themselves and their business explains TAG’s commitment to customer service and satisfaction and their personal touch with the day...2022-05-1157 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsDenise StewartIn 1988, Denise Burnett Stewart, RN, BSN joined her friend Carol Paterson, who had an idea to start a specialized nurse staffing company. During the first year, they worked to build their client base and nurse base, but were taken off course when Carol was diagnosed with cancer. In 1990, Carol passed away and Denise became president and owner. Known today as OR Nurses Nationwide/Travel Nurses, Inc., the company has expanded to staffing all nurse specialties and allied professionals nationwide. It has added two additional offices – now with a presence in Memphis, TN; Fort Lauderdale, FL; and Dallas, TX – with the...2022-04-2737 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsKaren Blockman CarrierFrom art student to artist, designer to chef to restaurateur, Karen Blockman Carrier has been creating in different mediums for more than 25 years. Her first love was painting and glasswork and that, in a roundabout way, is where she got her start in the culinary world. Apprenticing and studying under the brilliant artist, Dorothy Sturm, Carrier spent her early years at The Memphis Academy of Art gaining as much knowledge as Ms. Sturm would bestow. After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Memphis Academy of Art and receiving a scholarship to Hunter College for...2022-04-1345 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsFred JonesGrowing up in the Cleaborne Homes housing community in the Memphis area, Fred Jones worked during the day and went to school at night to earn his BBA degree from then Memphis State University in 1971. He recognized that the support of his family and friends was vital to that achievement, and he wanted others to have that same support and opportunity. Having discovered a knack for putting together entertainers with large audiences in the most attractive venues, he blended that talent with his love for education and for helping the community to which he himself was grateful. From that...2022-03-3033 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsJohn MalmoA founding member of the Society of Entrepreneurs, John Malmo has spent more than 60 years in advertising and marketing. He founded John Malmo Advertising in 1967 and built it into the largest agency in the Mid-South. He sold the agency to Ward Archer & Associates in 1991 and became a full-time marketing consultant in 1994. He currently serves as chairman emeritus of Archer Malmo, Inc. Malmo is a past president of the Memphis Advertising Federation, recipient of the American Advertising Federation Silver Medal Award and a former director of the American Association of Advertising Agencies. He has spoken and written columns...2022-03-1648 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsArt GilliamIn 1977, he launched Gilliam Communications, Inc. and bought the WLOK radio station. In doing so, WLOK became the first African American-owned Memphis radio station and the city's first locally owned station. As president and CEO of Gilliam Communications, Inc., Gilliam has also operated radio stations in New Orleans, Louisiana, Jacksonville, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia. He also sponsors the annual WLOK Stone Soul Picnic, which draws thousands of attendees. Gilliam’s WLOK has earned the title of #1 Gospel Station in the nation by Religion & Media Quarterly for several consecutive years; and, in 1997, was recognized by the Tennessee Historical Co...2022-03-0246 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsDaphne LargeDaphne Large, founding CEO of Data Facts got her start in the Consumer Reporting industry at the young age of 16 at Equifax Services while still attending Briarcrest High School. She stayed with Equifax while attending the University of Memphis and rose to the position of Assistant Regional Manager. She recognized a competitive advantage and started Data Facts in 1989 at the age of 27. She saw an opportunity to start a company that was both employee and customer focused. Today, she serves as CEO and majority shareholder in Data Facts, which has grown from 4 employees to 125 with hundreds of additional independent...2022-02-0939 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsJay Martin Jay Martin graduated from the University of Georgia in 1968 and moved to Memphis in 1969. Jay founded National Safety Associates (Juice Plus Co.) with $500 and has served as President and CEO since its inception. Juice Plus+ has 75,000 independent distributors in all 50 states and 25 foreign countries, with system-wide sales of $425 million annually and has sales since inception of more than $12 billion. Juice Plus+ has 450 employees, primarily housed at corporate headquarters in Collierville, and a shipping facility in Memphis. The company hosts two conventions a year with an average attendance of 5,000. Links to items mentioned in the interview:2021-06-1536 minEntrepreneurial InsightsDavid AndrewsDavid Andrews is the Principal and Chief Executive Officer of City Enterprises, LLC. City Enterprises is the managing company of several businesses, many auto-related, including City Auto Sales, Chief Automotive Group, Pace Financial, City Auto Finance, and Dealers Auto Auction Group. Andrews launched City Auto Sales more than 35 years ago. Since then, he has grown the business to seven auction sites, multiple franchise and used car showrooms, eight City Auto Finance branches, and a nationwide forwarding company. City Enterprises, LLC managed companies employ more than 850 people. Andrews says his employees are like family and believes in rewarding...2021-06-0242 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsEllen RolfesThroughout an entrepreneurial career that has spanned trade publishing, lecturing, cause-related marketing, implementing fundraising programs and seminar training, Ellen Rolfes has helped organizations of all sizes and different purposes advance financially in order to foster societal change. She often begins by finding an obscure institutional story. It becomes their guiding story that evokes a new vision to create a sustainable model for the future. Now in semi-retirement, Ellen consults with non-profits as a philanthropy strategist. Links to items mentioned in the interview: Ellen Rolfes & Associates Society of Entrepreneurs Profile Ole...2021-05-1937 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsJack SodenWhile working as Executive Director of a money management firm, Jack Soden met a client, Priscilla Presley. Upon her request, he came to Memphis and helped develop a business plan for opening Graceland. Today, Jack is the CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., which now has more than four hundred employees. Graceland has become one of the nation's premier tourist attractions with annual visitors in excess of 600,000, bringing an estimated $200 million per year to the Memphis economy. The company also controls The Guest House at Graceland, a 4-star, 450-room resort hotel. Links to items mentioned in the...2021-05-0452 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsDon HutsonA founding member of the Society of Entrepreneurs, Don Hutson has made a name for himself in the speaking, management and sales arenas. Chairman and CEO of U.S. Learning in Memphis, Don has enjoyed many honors stemming from his ability to motivate others and to teach the secrets of success. U.S. Learning is a firm that specializes in providing innovative, high-impact sales, leadership and strategic solutions to business clients. His client list includes over one-half of the Fortune 500, and he is the author or co-author of 14 books, including Selling Value and his two Wall Street Journal and New...2021-04-2142 minEntrepreneurial InsightsHilliard CrewsHilliard Crews founded Memphis Glove Company in 1974 as an importer of industrial gloves. After several years of success, he co-founded with his brothers Crews Safety Glasses and River City Rainwear. In 1984, he formed Shelby Specialty Gloves for the fire-fighting industry. Presently, all four companies – leaders in PPE, operate under the holding company Shelby Group Intl. Inc., which now operates factories in Arkansas, Mexico and China and has distribution centers in Piperton, Tennessee and California. Hilliard and his wife Harriett were instrumental in the founding of the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Memphis in 2012. Hilliard serves on the Boar...2021-04-0745 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsSusan StephensonSusan Stephenson is Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of Independent Bank in Memphis, Tennessee. Established in 1998, Independent Bank now has over $800 million in total assets and over $100 million in capital. It is the second largest bank headquartered in Shelby County with 10 branches and 180 employees. Alongside her Co-Founder and Co-Chairman Chip Dudley, Susan designed and executed the unusual denovo strategy to build and position I-Bank as the next great Memphis based banking organization. Prior to launching I-Bank, Susan was the Chairman, President and CEO of Boatmen's Bank of Tennessee. When named to the position in 1995, Susan was the first female Chairman and CEO of...2021-03-2450 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsHarold CryeIn 1977, Harold Crye and Dick Leike founded a company that they promised would make a difference – results-oriented, professional and dedicated to providing the utmost in service to the people it helped. Beginning from the ground up, the two men have built an entity that was once a small shop and is today one of the top 10 real estate companies in the nation, with more than 3,500 sales associates and 600 employees in 100 branch offices across the Southeast. In keeping with the entrepreneurial spirit, Crye-Leike has also expanded to become a full-service real-estate firm, offering everything from mortgage banking facilities to a home im...2021-03-1050 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsPat Lawler Pat Lawler is chief executive officer of Youth Villages, one of the largest private providers of services to troubled children and their families in the country. Under his leadership, Youth Villages has established an array of specialized treatment programs operated by a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 21 states and the District of Columbia. Youth Villages’ mission is to help children and families live successfully, serving and offering hope to more than 30,000 children and families each year. Links to items mentioned in the interview: Youth Villages Society of Entrepreneurs Profile Results for America Leap of Reason Shelby County Juvenile Court...2021-02-2439 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsEdith Kelly-GreenPrior to founding the KGR Group in 2005, Edith Kelly-Green worked for nearly 30 years at FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corporation, where she served in many roles including Vice President and Chief Sourcing Officer. She also served as Vice President-Internal Audit of FedEx Corporation and reported directly to the Chairman and Founder, Frederick W. Smith. She was the first black woman to receive officer status at the company. Edith devotes much of her time to Memphis's business and civic community, as an active and founding member of many local organizations. A breast cancer survivor, she believes that to whom much...2021-02-1052 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsCraig Brewer Craig Brewer is a multi-disciplinary artist with a knack for storytelling. His passion for filmmaking stems from his ability to captivate his audience and connect culturally relevant plots on screen. Even at a young age, Memphis, Tennessee, served as his cinematic muse. His guerrilla style approach and relentless work ethic led to his first feature film, "The Poor and Hungry." At the time, Craig was the manager of Barnes & Noble and began writing the screenplay for the film at the local P&H Café. With a small skeleton crew mixed with free rein leadership, Craig and his team made magic. L...2021-01-2750 min
Entrepreneurial InsightsDick Gadomski In 1974, Richard Gadomski bid for and was awarded his first contract – a $50 million corn processing plant for Cargill – before his company was even founded. After successfully building his company around that first job, he proceeded to buy out his original backers so that he could continue to build the company as he saw fit. PSI, an engineering and construction contracting firm, built international recognition in processing food, chemicals and package handling. In 1998, Gadomski sold PSI to the German corporation Lurgi and retired from the merged companies in 2001. Dick’s vision for PSI, from inception, was to build an industry-leading compan...2021-01-1343 min