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.
Episodes
16 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
Roy Choi--From Kogi BBQ Truck to Food Revolution
In this episode of “From Spark to New Venture” , we explore the journey of Roy Choi, a pioneering chef who turned a simple idea into a food movement that redefined American cuisine. After losing his job during the 2008 recession, Choi embraced ...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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14:05
Kaitlin Smith: From Credit Card Debit to Multimillion Dollar Company
In this episode, we talk about the story of Kaitlin Smith, the CEO and Founder of Simple Mills, a health focused food brand with premium ingredients. We talk about her journey from the start of the business to the struggles along the way to her...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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16:32
Christina Hoy--The Glow Up Journey
In this episode of The Glow-Up Journey, the host, Maria, will be sharing the inspiring story of Christina Hoy, owner of River House Day Spa in Fredericksburg. Starting with only $2,000 and a dream, Christina built her spa from the ground up, na...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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10:21
Eric McDaniel--School to Side Hustle
Eric McDaniel is a UMW student and former baseball player who has developed a unique side hustle. In his free time, Eric runs an eBay business, digging through local thrift shops and bin stores to find products he can resell online for a profit...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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13:07
Jon Simmons-- Wrestling Risk and Securing Success
In this episode, Brooke interviews Jon Simmons, founder and CEO of Simmons Security and Consulting, about his journey from wrestler to entrepreneur. Jon shares how the discipline he learned on the mat prepared him for the risks, sacrifices, and...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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14:12
Katie Stribling--Expanding the Field Hockey World
In this episode of From Spark to New Venture, hosts Elizabeth Stribling and Josh Fowler sit down with entrepreneur Katie Stribling. She is the founder of Nova Field Hockey Xtreme, a nonprofit youth field hockey club. Katie shares her journey fr...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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14:17
Walt Disney--Founders Unfiltered
Our podcast goes into the story of Walt Disney, a true visionary and entrepreneur who turned imagination into one of the world’s greatest legacies that we all know and use today. The episode talks about his journey from a small-town childhood a...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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29:08
Reggie--The Startup Playbook with Reggie
In this episode, I sit down with Reggie, a former Boston University quarterback who has applied the lessons he learned on and off the football field to building his own tech company. From discipline and leadership to vision, Reggie shares how h...
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14:06
Diya Patel--Humble beginnings
In this podcast, we explored Diya's pastry business, from its humble beginnings to become a recognized business. A cake artist and business owner who has been turning sugar, flour, and a whole lot of love into beautiful creations. We talked abo...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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14:03
Mikey Barnes--Starting From Nothing
In this podcast, I talk with Mikey Barnes, who started a business called Get Rid of It Fredericksburg, which was just a finalist in the Best of the Burg, which is a big deal around the Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg area. In this, we ask him q...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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16:18
Welcome to the Podcast
Welcome to the podcast! In each episode, students from the University of Mary Washington bring you inspiring stories of entrepreneurs. Each week, you’ll hear about their journey, along with practical advice for undergraduates. Whether you’re dr...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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0:29