Rochester Rising

Episode 202: How to Fill Gaps in the Startup Ecosystem with Tawonda Burks + Elocina

On the show this week we got to chat with Rochester resident and serial entrepreneur Tawonda Burks. Tawonda owns and operates the local consulting firm Elocina, which specializes in startup business assistance, especially for minority owned companies. Don’t miss out on this conversation with Tawonda today to learn more about her business, gaps she observed in the local community that needed to be filled, and trends she’s seeing in the local startup ecosystem. Links from today’s show: Elocina...

Episode 201: How to Use Social Media to Grow Your Customer Base with Shari, Tiffany, and Beth

On the podcast today we break down the latest WE Forum that took place in the community last week. WE Forums are a grassroots program run by a collaboration between the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, RAEDI, and Collider to support local women entrepreneurs. At the latest panel discussion, we heard how local experts Shari Mukherjee of Spiced up Mom, Tiffany Alexandria of Choochoo-ca-Chew, and Beth Fynbo of Busy Baby used social media to gr...

Episode 200: A Celebration of Four Years of Storytelling

It has been an amazing 4 years and 200 episodes worth of storytelling at Rochester Rising. To celebrate this milestone, we've invited some friends over, virtually, to share with you why storytelling is so important for the Rochester entrepreneurial ecosystem. Please join us for this celebration in our special video edition of the podcast. You can also tune in on our website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and on our YouTube channel. And a big thank you all of the entrepreneurs who trusted us t...

Episode 199- How to Build Your Skill Sets: Cathy Sell, Pink Sheep Designs

Today on the show we got to connect with local entrepreneur and Maryland native Cathy Sell. Cathy is a dental hygienist turned graphic designer who has always had a love for art. This innovator doubled down on this passion in 2017 when she launched her business Pink Sheep Designs when she was in her mid-30s. Join us for an engaging and educational conversation today as Cathy shares how she grew Pink Sheep Designs from the ground up, transitioned from free to paying customers, built and sharp...

Episode 198- How to Grow an Online Business: Hannah Eidem, Damsel and Fox

On the podcast this week we got to chat with local entrepreneur Hannah Eidem, Owner of Damsel and Fox. This Lawrence, Kansas native and current Rochester resident launched her online business three years ago, creating handcrafted leather earrings. Today, Hannah is evolving the business to be a space that’s comforting and motivational for women and aims to use her love of writing to elevate other boutique owners through her business blog. Tune in today to learn more about this entrepreneur’s j...

Episode 197- How to Scale from Home Kitchen to a Brick and Mortar Location: Jenyce Habibovic and Sweet House Bakery

This week on the show we got to sit down and chat with local entrepreneur and business owner Jenyce Habibovic of Sweet House Bakery. This Stewartville native grew up around her grandparents’ restaurant and had a love for art, creativity, and baking from a young age. She turned her baking into a hobby with the creation of her son’s first birthday cake and only grew from there. When Jenyce got an opportunity to open up her first brick and mortar location for the bakery this June, she quickly to...

Episode 196: Minnesota-based Business Resources for Entrepreneurs with Christine and Amanda

On the podcast this week we listen in to the latest Women Entrepreneur (WE) Forum, talking business resources and other supports for Rochester businesses. Tune in this week as I get to join Christine Beech, Executive Director of the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies as we lead this discussion with other women in business in the community.   Links from today’s podcast: Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies: https://www.smumn.edu/about/institutes-affiliates/kabara-institu...

Episode 195: How Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Work to Support Entrepreneurs with Jamie, Christine, and Garrett

Today on the podcast I got to chat with some entrepreneurial ecosystem building friends to discuss more about entrepreneurial ecosystems and how they work to support innovators in our communities. Today we connect with Christine Beech, the Executive Director of the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, Garret Lieffring, a Fellow with Lead for Minnesota working for Mankato-based Greenseam, and Jamie Sundsbak, Interim Executive Director at Collider. This September, we all virtually join...

Episode 194: Diane, Donna, and Marie with Sister Seekers

Today on the podcast we got to Zoom chat with local innovators Diane Anderson, Donna Magitbay, and Marie Neher of Sister Seekers. Sister Seekers launched in 2018 to improve the world through teaching, healing, retreats, space clearing, and ceremony. On the show today we chat about the building of Sister Seekers from the ground up, the importance of a good team, how Sister Seekers has navigated the current global health pandemic, and what these entrepreneurs are looking forward to in 2020. Tun...

Episode 193: Allisa and Robbie with Nanodropper

Today on the show we sit down with two members of the local startup Nanodropper, CEO Allisa Song and Marketing Manager Robbie Spencer. Nanodropper develops value-based solutions to close health equity gaps and is named after their first product, the Nanodropper. This flagship innovation is a direct to patient eyedrop adaptor for medical bottles that reduces the size of eyedrops delivered to the eye to minimize solution waste and reduce prescription cost to the patient. On today’s podcast we c...

Episode 192: Anjali and Sarah with CASP Technologies

On the podcast this week we talk with local students Anjali Donthi and Sarah Bulur of CASP Technologies. Along with their friends Caitlin McWilliams and Payton Maas, these innovators came together as part of the global Technovation challenge to create their first product, Operational Serenity. The girls intend this mobile application to serve eight to fifteen-year-old pediatric surgery patients. The app helps to reduce anxiety and stress associated with surgery prep by providing a clear visua...

Episode 191: E1 Tech Talks with Scott Schwalbe

Today on the podcast we join our colleagues at Entrepreneurs First (E1) for their most recent Tech Talk. E1 is a partnership of Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs) across southeastern Minnesota to provide connected support for tech entrepreneurs in the region. They host a monthly E1 Tech Talk to provide inspiration and conversation around tech-based business. This month, the group hosted local entrepreneur Scott Schwalbe, CEO and Cofounder of NimbeLink. Nimbelink is an IoT cellular s...

Episode 190: Amanda and Jamie with Collider's Ecosystem Navigator Program

Episode 189: Katrina Pulham and Air Insanity

On the show today we sat down with local entrepreneur Katrina Pulham. Katrina and her husband are owners of Air Insanity, an indoor trampoline park in Rochester that just celebrated its two-year anniversary this July. A native of Kasson, MN, Katrina also spent time in both Texas and North Carolina. She started her career in banking and finance, but took multiple different paths along her journey, including a stint building race cars and teaching archery to women. On the podcast today, we chat...

Episode 188: E1 Tech Talks with David Russick

Today on the podcast link up with the Entrepreneurs First (E1) Collaborative for their most recent E1 Tech Talk. The E1 Collaborative is a partnership of 15 different organizations across southeastern Minnesota to provide programming and support and to enhance regional connectivity for tech entrepreneurs. This initiative is supported by funding through Launch Minnesota. As an E1 Partner, I got the opportunity to moderate this Tech Talk with guest David Russick. David is a serial entrepreneur ...

Episode 187: Talking Tech with Mary Grove and Pam York

Today on the podcast we link up two local female venture capitalists, Mary Grove of Bread & Butter Ventures and Pam York of Capita3. This is an episode you don’t want to miss. On the show today we talk about Pam and Mary’s journey as venture capitalists, learn more about their investment firms, understand what they look for in a portfolio company, and much more. Tune in today for an impactful conversation for anyone looking to learn more about the venture capital space from some key local lea...

Episode 186: E1 Tech Talks with Tammy Lee

Today on the podcast we link up with the E1 (Entrepreneurs First) Partnership for the E1 Tech Talks. This monthly series, hosted by E1, shares stories of tech entrepreneurship within southeastern Minnesota. E1 is a partnership between fifteen different stakeholders across southeastern Minnesota to enhance regional connectivity and leverage multiple assets to support tech entrepreneurs. On the podcast today, we listen in to an E1 Tech Talk that took place in late June with local entrepreneur T...

Episode 185: Inspirational Collisions with Ahmed Makkawy and Anthony Kinyanjui of Quizzem

Join us today for the latest in our Inspirational Collisions series with Ahmed Makkawy and Anthony Kinyanjui of Quizzem. This series shares the stories of how and why entrepreneurs are building their business in Rochester and leaves the listener with some actionable advice they can apply to their personal or professional lives. Tune in today to learn more about Ahmed and Anthony’s journey as entrepreneurs, understand how they’ve been building the Quizzem educational app in Rochester, learn ga...

Episode 184: Talking COVID-19 with Rodolfo and Anna of HACER

This week on the podcast sit down with Executive Director Rodolfo Gutierrez and Communications and Outreach Specialist Anna Bjorge of Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment through Research (HACER). Today on the show we chat about COVID-19 and the disproportionate impact it’s having amongst Minnesota’s Latino population. We also discuss resources for Hispanic small businesses to assist during these times as well as ways to maintain personal wellness. Join us today for the show (which is ...

Episode 183: Brett Bohl and E1 Tech Talks

This week on the podcast we get to listen in to a great conversation with Brett Bohl with E1 Tech Talks. E1 Tech Talks is a series created to share knowledge and inspiration for tech entrepreneurs. E1 (or Entrepreneurs First) is a collective of fifteen organizations in southeastern Minnesota to facilitate increased connections within the entrepreneurial ecosystem to help accelerate entrepreneurship. On this E1 Tech Talk, the community connected with guest Brett Bohl. Brett is the Founder and ...

Episode 182: Ginny Smith and Ann Marie Jahn with Ginny's Fine Fabrics

This week on the podcast chat with local entrepreneurs Ginny Smith and Ann Marie Jahn. Ginny is a Rochester native and the owner of the retail business Ginny’s Fine Fabrics. Ann Marie is a business consultant who first came to the city to work at Mayo Clinic, but ended up falling in love with the region and staying in the community. On the show today we talk with Ginny about the 44 years she’s been in business with Ginny’s Fine Fabrics and how her passion to identify and choose beautiful qual...

Episode 181: Inspirational Collisions with Leena Pradhan-Nabzdyk

This week on the podcast we listen in to our very first “Inspirational Collisions” discussion with Rochester entrepreneur Leena Pradhan-Nabzdyk. “Inspirational Collisions” was born out of a need to hear the real stories of Rochester entrepreneurs and to understand how and why they are building their business in Rochester. At the end of each talk, we also leave the listener with some tangible takeaway they can apply to their personal or professional life. Join us today for this motivating disc...

Episode 180: Danni Trester and Trester Tailor

This week on the podcast sit down with local entrepreneur and small business owner Danni Trester of Trester Tailor. This business is located on Broadway and specializes in a range of alterations on men’s and women’s clothing. On today’s show we hear how Danni originally got interested in the tailoring business and lessons learned from her first three years of operation. We also talk about her brand-new video tutorial series “Tailor It Yourself” that she recently launched to share her tailorin...

Episode 179: E1 Tech Talks with Lisa Lavin

This week on the podcast we listen in to the very first E1 Tech Talk featuring Lisa Lavin, CEO of Omcare. This ongoing series is meant to share knowledge and inspiration around tech entrepreneurship. These talks are hosted by the E1 (Entrepreneurs First) Initiative, which is an ecosystem to enhance regional connectivity among builders and stakeholders across an eleven-county region in southeastern Minnesota. Join us on the podcast today as we listen in to this recent zoom webinar to learn mor...

Episode 178: Trevor and Matt with Midwest Hemp Farms and The CBD Centers

This week on the podcast we chat with General Manager Trevor McCarthy and Founder Matt Little of Midwest Hemp Farms and The CBD Centers. Together Midwest Hemp Farms and The CBD Centers create a fully vertical business to take hemp plants from “seed to shelf.” The business started out as an indoor hemp farm in Waseca in 2018 and expanded to the retail market in 2019 with The CBD Centers stores. Now, there are seven different CBD Center locations, including two in Rochester. On the podcast toda...

Episode 177: Tania and Juan Pablo with HACER

This week on the podcast we chat with Tania Eden-Piñeiro and Juan Pablo Higuera with HACER (Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment thru Research). HACER, founded in 1988, is the only Latino research nonprofit in the Midwest. HACER designs and develops programs that help people thrive in Minnesota, with initiatives focused around education, empowerment, health, leadership, and entrepreneurship. On the show today we chat about HACER and why Tania and Juan Pablo were drawn to this mission. ...

Episode 176: Courtney Dugstad and Next Chapter Ministries

This week on the podcast we got to chat with Courtney Dugstad, Interim Executive Director at Next Chapter Ministries. Courtney is a native of Byron, Minnesota and lived in Honduras for a decade before moving back to Rochester to work with Next Chapter Ministries. Next Chapter Ministries has been in the community for twenty years serving families impacted by the cycle of incarceration. On the show today we talk with Courtney about resiliency, grit, entrepreneurship, and skills development and ...

Episode 175: Manasseh Kambaki and Hope Fuse

On the podcast this week we got to chat with Manasseh Kambaki, Founder and President of Hope Fuse. Hope Fuse is a local nonprofit organization that was “founded to explore and address solutions to the crippling impact of generational poverty in the lives of at-risk youth and overall youth in Rochester, Minnesota.” Hope Fuse is the manifestation of something Manasseh felt he was called to do and is his way to give back to the community to mentor kids and develop leaders. On the show today we c...

Episode 174: Chatting about the Rochester Entrepreneurial Ecosystem with Jamie Sundsbak

Today on the podcast we chat with Jamie Sundsbak, Director of Operations at Collider, about the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Rochester. We recorded this podcast in the very beginning of March, when the corona virus and the impact it could have on our community was not fully on our radar. However, the discussion today highlights how far this community has come and the creative innovations that have been or are currently being developed within this city, offering hope of what will be written in...

Episode 173: Joe Sriver and 4giving

Today on the podcast we chat with Joe Sriver, one of the founders of the Minnesota-based emerging business 4giving. 4giving has created a single platform to help nonprofits and businesses launch fundraising campaigns with just a few clicks of a button to get their fundraisers started and promoted to their networks from a single platform. 4giving has no service charges and is currently covering all credit card processing fees associated with fundraisers on their platform to support nonprofits ...

Episode 172: Nate Nordstrom and RochStrong

Today on the podcast we listen in to the latest 1 Million Cups Rochester (virtual) meetup. This month the community welcomed local entrepreneur Nate Nordstrom to talk about the web-based application RochStrong. RochStrong is a collaboration between Rochester-based BrandHoot and Collider Foundation to provide one, quick solution to help spread and amplify ways to support local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The app launched on March 20th to share ways to eat, shop, donate, and “do” t...

Episode 171: Tim Nelson and ReGen Theranostics

Today on the show we sit down with Dr. Tim Nelson, a researcher and physician at Mayo Clinic specializing in hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). HLHS is a severe congenital disease where infants are born without the left side of the heart and require three open-heart surgeries to survive. Dr. Nelson is also a founder at Rochester-based biotech firm ReGen Theranostics, which manufactures induced pluripotent stem cells in a reproducible manner. ReGen was one of the first tenants in the Minn...

Episode 170: Jerome Ferson and Emily Johnston with the United Way of Olmsted County

This week on the podcast we listen in to a Zoom discussion from the Collider Online Collision Series, a virtual series of discussions covering topics impacting our entrepreneurial ecosystem at this time. This week, we hear from Jerome Ferson and Emily Johnston with the United Way of Olmsted County. This organization began locally as a community chest in 1925, becoming known as the United Way of Olmsted County in 1972. Today on the podcast Jerome and Emily chat about the Together COVID-19 Com...

Episode 169: Craig DeLarge with The Digital Mental Health Project

This week on the podcast we listen in to a discussion from the very first Collider Online Collision Series, a virtual series of discussions covering topics impacting our entrepreneurial ecosystem at this time. During this inaugural Zoom event, the community got to chat with Philadelphia-based digital healthcare strategist and intrapreneur Craig DeLarge. Craig is a Founder at The Digital Mental Health Project, which explores how digital technology is being used in the mental health field. On t...

Episode 168: Sean and Tiffany with Rochester Marketplace

This week on the podcast we chat with local entrepreneurs Sean Archer and Tiffany Alexandria about how they’ve innovated to help local businesses during this time of need. Archer, founder of the handmade woodcraft store Knotty Woodpecker, has launched Rochester Marketplace, a one-stop shop to purchase goods from local craftsmen in an effort to minimize the workload in setting up online retail and to provide professional photography for local products. Alexandria, a food blogger, home chef, ph...

Episode 167: Andy, Bhaskar, and Chandu of Infuzn Foods

This week on the podcast we got to chat with Chandu Valluri, Andy Kollengode, and Bhaskar Iyengar of Infuzn Foods. Infuzn Foods is a local business supplying “Minnesota nice” Indian-fusion, home-style, vegetarian meals to you at your business or home. On the podcast today we talk about how these three friends and their families came together to form this solutions-oriented business, how Infuzn has pivoted over the last four years based on market demand, keys to working together as a strong te...

Episode 166: David Ollila and 100K Ideas (Flint, MI)

On the show this week we had the opportunity to sit down with Flint, Michigan entrepreneurial ecosystem builder David Ollila! David was the keynote speaker for the RAEDI Annual Meeting & Luncheon a few weeks ago in Rochester. Always an innovator, David began creating solutions to problems at the age of seven and currently holds sixteen patents. He has spent his career in both Marquette and Flint, Michigan bolstering the local innovation community and understanding how to cultivate ideas from ...

Episode 165: Christopher Brenna and Revolutionary Earth

On the podcast this week we sit down with local innovator Christopher Brenna, founder of Revolutionary Earth. This nonprofit aims “to empower compassionate people to transform waste and scarcity into an ecosystem.” Revolutionary Earth works to reduce waste within social, economic, and natural systems. They run a program called “The Farm,” a collection of volunteer-maintained backyard gardens, to address both natural waste and scarcity with organic foods. Join us on the show today to learn mor...

Episode 164: Talking Coaching and Inclusion with Eva Glamaris Cruz Pena

Today on the podcast we chat with local female entrepreneur Eva Glamaris Cruz Pena. Eva, originally from Puerto Rico, moved to the Rochester area a few years ago from Portland, Oregon. She runs her home-based online business right here in Rochester teaching emotional mastery and executive and corporate leadership skills and performing diversity and inclusion consulting. Today on the podcast we talk more about Eva’s business, her love for nature, and her passion to coach women to be more whole...

Episode 163: Vy Thorng and Hidden World Vinyl Records

Today on the show we chat with Vy Thorng, owner of Hidden World Vinyl Records. This independent music shop held its grand opening this December at their location on 2nd Avenue Northwest. Today on the show we talk about Vy’s journey from cake decorator in Minneapolis to finding his space in the music scene right here in Rochester. Links from today’s podcast: Hidden World Vinyl Records Facebook: @hiddenworldvinylrecords Instagram: @hiddenworldvinylrecords Music Attribution: Jane Fonda by The...

Episode 162: Christian Nisbit and "Desperate for Redemption"

On today’s podcast we chat with Rochester native and writer Christian Nisbit who is looking to release his very first book, Desperate for Redemption, sometime this summer. On the show today we talk about the content of Christian’s book, which details his journey through a Chicago-based art school and resultant $80,000 in student loan debt. Now, Christian is studying in a local nursing program and getting ready to share his story with the world. Today on the show we share Christian’s powerful ...

Episode 161: Jeb Taylor and Jeb Taylor Knives

On today’s podcast we chat with Colorado native and Rochester entrepreneur Jeb Taylor of Jeb Taylor Knives. Jeb got interested in making knives while serving in the US Army and homed in his craft while living in North Carolina. He now lives in Rochester with his very entrepreneurial family. He launched Jeb Taylor Knives in 2017, crafting primarily tactical knives in the beginning stages of the business, and is currently transitioning in the kitchen cutlery market. Don’t miss out on today’s co...

Episode 160: Andy and Chris of Shrpa

On today’s podcast we chat with local entrepreneurs Andy Vig and Chris Lukenbill. This pair co-founded the startup Shrpa, a website that helps both locals and visitors find fun things to do in their community. On the show today we chat with Andy and Chris about the evolution of Shrpa over the past year, how previous entrepreneurial experience has influenced the startup’s trajectory, and the path to develop the business model behind Shrpa. Music Attribution: Jane Fonda by The Grand Affair is ...

Episode 159: Dan and Natalie Slagle with Fyooz Financial Planning Services

For our first brand new podcast of 2020 we sit down with new entrepreneurs Dan and Natalie Slagle. This married couple created Fyooz Financial Planning Services, a fee-only financial planning business specifically for couples in their late twenties through early forties. On today’s episode we chat about how the couple met while at school in Saint Paul, their journey to Portland, Oregon, and their decision to start their business right here in Rochester. Tune in for an inspiring show to kick o...

Episode 158: Favorite Podcasts of 2019

Today on the show we take a look back at some of your favorite podcasts from 2019. These short clips serve as a strong taste of what Rochester Rising represents in terms of stage of business, type of startup and entrepreneurial story! Sit back and enjoy as we look back on our discussions with: • Kayla Fjelsted of Swoon Lash + Beauty Lounge • Amy and Linda Lorber of Figue • Stefan Madansingh of the Mayo Clinic Office of Entrepreneurship • Nashauna Johnson Lenoir of Journie Program Music Attr...

Episode 157: From the Edge with Leena and Nicole

Today we share our final “From the Edge” podcast talking trends in entrepreneurship. On the show we’re joined by two fantastic ladies, Leena Pradhan-Nabzdyk and Nicole Nfonoyim Hara. Leena is a very recent transplant from Boston who was on the faculty at Harvard Medical School for the past fourteen years. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Vascular Surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Leena is also cofounder of a genomics startup, called Canomiks, that provides genomic a...

Episode 156: Nashauna Johnson Lenoir of Journie Project + Musical Guest Storm

Episode 155: Holiday Gift Guide

This week on show we share our 2019 Holiday Gift Guide. The best way to support local entrepreneurs is through your spending power. While this list is not comprehensive of our entire small business community, it’s a great place to start to find local options to gift this holiday season. Check out more of the Holiday Gift Guide on our website and on our social media platforms from now until late December. Included in the 2019 Holiday Gift Guide: • Baby Baby Mat (busybabymat.com) • Love in a ...

Episode 154: From the Edge with Christi and Emily

This week on show we record out latest “From the Edge” podcast talking trends in entrepreneurship. This month we’re joined by two amazing female entrepreneurs. The first is Emily Watkins, personal trainer and owner of Rochester Women Magazine and Empowered Wellness & Fitness Studio. We’re also joined by interior designer and entrepreneur Christi Jorde of Mill House Design. On the podcast today we talk about: • The reality and daily grind of entrepreneurship. • The importance of living a pur...

Episode 153: Stefan Madansingh and the Mayo Clinic Office of Entrepreneurship

This week on show we chat with Stefan Madansingh, a Research Fellow with the Mayo Clinic Office of Entrepreneurship. The Office of Entrepreneurship (OE) supports aspiring entrepreneurs within Mayo Clinic through educational programs, grant writing support, and community events. On the podcast today we talk about: • The power of the lean startup method to solve business problems using a scientific approach. • The Office of Entrepreneurship’s educational courses within Mayo Clinic, including ...