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.
From Spark to New Venture
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 setbacks of building multiple businesses from the ground up. From starting with no funding to enduring a $100,000 loss in his first year, he explains how resilience, integrity, and a focus on lifestyle over money helped him secure long-term success. His insights on leadership, motivation, and learning from loss offer valuable lessons for students and aspiring entrepreneurs alike.