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
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 jobsite in chaos, he saw an opportunity and jumped. Through 80+ hour work weeks, trial and error lessons, and relentless determination, Bill grew from pouring small slabs to leading a company of over 200 employees, specializing in flawless foundations for food-grade box plants that supply giants like Georgia Pacific and WestRock. Along the way, he faced financial pressures, fierce competition, and steep learning curves, but his mindset of persistence and adaptability set him apart. Join us as we uncover the obstacles, lessons, and mindset that shaped Bill’s journey and hear the one piece of advice he’d give to undergraduates starting their own business dreams.