
From Spark to New Venture
From Spark to New Venture is a student-driven podcast from the University of Mary Washington (UMW), where undergraduates share the stories of entrepreneurs and their journeys from idea to venture. Each episode uncovers the sparks of inspiration, the challenges they faced, and the mindsets that helped them overcome obstacles in their journey. The goal of this podcast is to inspire students to learn entrepreneurial mindsets and bring them into everyday lives, taking action and learning from every step along the way.
Podcasting since 2025 • 16 episodes
From Spark to New Venture
Latest Episodes
Daniel O'Meara--The Blueprint to Freedom
In this episode of "From Spark to New Venture", Ashley shares the inspiring journey of Daniel, founder of O’Meara Restorations. After years of grueling work in the plumbers’ union, Daniel chose to leave stability behind to reclaim his freedom, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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12:31

Jennifer Knight -- Problem Solution
Jennifer Knight is a lifelong entrepreneur and founder of New Wing Studio, a company that offers stationery, cards, stickers, aprons, and more—all showcasing her hand-drawn designs. Among her products, the kitchen towels stand out: they’re made...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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19:27

Adrien--Reaching for the prize
In this episode, we interviewed Adrien about his claw-machine business and learned about how he started it after working hard and saving up $20,000. We discussed how he operated his business, from its creation until he sold it, and his plans fo...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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15:00
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Jim Koch--Brewing Success
In this episode of From Spark to New Venture, hosts Keller Dillman and Reece Stone explore the inspiring journey of Jim Koch, founder of the Boston Beer Company and creator of Samuel Adams. A Harvard-educated consultant, Jim left a luc...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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12:04

Bill Zerly - Built from the ground
In this episode of Built from the Ground Up, hosts Tom and Andrew share the inspiring story of Bill Zerly, a true example of grit and entrepreneurship. Bill began his career as a metal building erector, but when a no-show subcontractor left a j...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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10:41
