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 • 63 episodes
From Spark to New Venture
Latest Episodes
Riley Burzynski: Finding Freedom and Fulfillment in Small Business
For my first podcast, I chose to interview my friend and former coworker, Riley Burzynski. She is the owner of two small businesses located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She firstly is a licensed Cosmetologist, and operates independently within ...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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23:45
Lolita--More than a Salon
In this episode, hosts Anna and Jasmine sit down with Lolita, the owner of Hstyles, Inc., to discuss her journey to becoming her own boss. We explore the challenges Lolita faced and the valuable lessons she learned along the way. From taking ri...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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13:22
Alayna Hermans: From Classroom to Clients: Redesigning Life Through Entrepreneurship
In this episode of From Spark to New Venture, hosts Kyle Johnson and Monique Lipton share the story of Alayna Hermans: a former Health and PE teacher at a Virginia Beach middle school who took a bold step into entrepreneurship. After years in t...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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19:37
Dinah Idan-Biney: From Ghanaian Immigrant to Self-Made CPA Entrepreneur in Woodbridge
This episode tells the inspiring story of Dinah Idan-Biney, a Ghanaian immigrant who built a successful career as a Certified Public Accountant and opened her own accounting firm in Woodbridge, Virginia. Dinah’s journey highlights the determina...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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10:23
Nehemia Abel: From Refugee to Founder Empowering Burundian Students Through Education and Opportunity
This episode highlights the inspiring journey of Nehemia Abel, a refugee who overcame significant challenges to become a co-founder of a nonprofit organization called Ubumwe, which means “unity,” dedicated to supporting Burundian students. As a...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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16:34