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
John Flanagan--From Player to Founder of Universal Lacrosse
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In this episode, we sit down with John Flanagan, founder of Universal Lacrosse, to explore how he turned his lifelong passion for the game into a thriving business. John shares how he first got involved in lacrosse, the story behind the name “Universal Lacrosse,” and the early challenges of building his first company. He reflects on the pivotal moment when he knew the brand was taking off and offers insight into his leadership style — especially when working with young athletes and fans. From building a business around passion to inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs, John’s story is a reminder that the right vision and drive can turn any dream into reality.