Innovation City

“There are a lot of people that try to build things so that, at the end, they find the problem. But, it should be the other way around … it’s “we have this problem, how are we going to fix it?”” — Laura González-Estéfani Today’s guest is Laura González-Estéfani, Founder & CEO of TheVentureCity. TheVentureCity is a new venture and acceleration model that helps diverse founders achieve global impact. Laura joins the team to discuss the momentum of innovation hubs around the world, the importance of working with diverse founders of diverse companies, what makes a good founder and business, her recurring reasons why she would not invest in a company, and much more!

“Ultimately, the more ideas we have that have support and understand what else is out there, the better our community is going to be.” — Lucas Hernández   Today’s guest is Lucas Hernández, Director of Civic Engagement, Miami at Microsoft. As Director, Lucas works with government and civic leaders, and the citizens they serve, to tackle urban challenges in the greater Miami area as part of Microsoft’s broader technology and corporate responsibility efforts. Lucas sits down with us today to discuss the limitless need of resources in local markets, the importance of technology for nonprofits, Miami’s growing and strengthened ecosystems, his commitment to connecting different communities to build a stronger Miami region, and more!

“If I’m not bringing value to you, then I’m not doing you any good and the business is not going to be sustainable.” — Tiara Miles Today’s guest is Tiara Miles, Founder & CEO of Koki. Koki delivers personal chefs next day to your home to prepare fresh healthy meals. The chefs prepare four entrees, help you set the table to eat one meal same day, while carefully packing away the others. Tiara joins the team to discuss how Koki got started, creating her business out of need not want, her early struggle to get business and decision to pivot, working with a business accelerator, and much more!

“If you’re going to go into business for yourself, you need to go into business for other people too.” — Corey Smale Today’s guest is Corey Smale, Owner of SUPERGIANTWORLD. With a copywriting background in advertising, Corey has been able to successfully launch two St. Louis restaurants, Strange Donuts and Good Fortune, that have helped to put him on the map in St. Louis’ marketing elite. Corey sits down with the team to discuss his advertising background, how he started Strange Donuts, the importance of consistency and authenticity in brands, St. Louis’ struggle to intersect its communities, giving back through his nonprofit, and much more!

“When we are empowered as human beings, we are conscious creators of our lives. That’s how we change the status quo.” — Alina Ruta Today’s guest is Alina Ruta, Founder & CEO of Cellvana Biotechnology. Cellvana’s products empower researchers to develop faster, more cost effective, and more accurate rare cancer and stem cell therapies. Alina sits down with the team to discuss her passion and goal to help people live their best lives, the difference between healthy and unhealthy cells, the importance of developing partnerships to find solutions, the struggle of getting funding as a startup in the medical technology industry, the mind + body connection for healing, and much more!

“Start early. Test things out and fail and perform small experiments to learn. Otherwise, if you’re waiting [for the perfect time] you could yield nothing.”  — Andrew Glantz   Today’s guest is Andrew Glantz, Founder & CEO at GiftAMeal. GiftAMeal is an app that provides a meal to someone in need each time customers dine at a partner restaurant. Andrew sits down with the team to discuss the importance of removing barriers in the donation process, the value of being a purpose driven organization, his love for the St. Louis startup scene, his advice for startups looking to scale up, and much more!

“What is your “Why?” Why did you start that company? That is your north star. If you deeply understand that...everything else starts to fall into place.” — Angela Betancourt   Today’s guest is Angela Betancourt, Strategic Communications Consultant. Angela is global communications specialist with over 10 years of experience developing, managing, and executing integrated communication campaigns and strategies. Angela joins the team to discuss the ever-changing landscape of business communication, the importance of building relationships through an authentic approach, working in Sierra Leone after the Ebola crisis, taking a step back and remind yourself about your “Why,” and being a “recovering worrier.”

“If you can’t articulate your design decisions, then you might as well stay home.” — Tom Greever Today’s guest is Tom Greever, President, UX & Design at Bitovi. Bitovi is a front-end design and development consulting company. Tom joins the team to discuss how UX can be expanded outside apps, his book, Articulating Design Decisions, the different types of UX specializations, tips for how to articulate your design choices, and much more!

“Risks, vulnerabilities, and constraints are actually what generate the opportunities.”  — Alana Libow   Today’s guest is Alana Libow, Founder & Chief Strategist at Forefront Sustainable Development. Alana works to position entities from governments to global brands at the forefront of Sustainable Development by identifying opportunities, co-design initiatives, bridging innovations to investors, and deploying SDG solutions. Alana sits down with the team to discuss her passion for design thinking, understanding how different cultures operate, translating the common beliefs between the farm and the boardroom, the importance of setting expectations for stakeholders, and much more!

“So many people operate through a paradigm of fear, but if you take a leap (even once), it will make you more successful at anything you choose to do next.” — Adam Hoffman Today’s guest is Adam Hoffman, CEO of Qstodian. Qstodian is a restroom management system that empowers venues to keep restrooms immaculate and their customers thrilled and coming back for more. Adam sits down with the team to discuss launching his new venture: Qstodian, how to know when it’s time to pivot your company, the importance of listening to the marketplace, being welcomed by St. Louis’ startup community, and much more! 

“You can put more creativity in your work, you can be more inspired and have a deeper connection to your purpose, because if you understand what problem you’re trying to solve and what you’re trying to do in the community, then you will feel better about the work you’re doing.” — Michael Sarasti   Today’s guest is Michael Sarasti, CIO / Director of Innovation and Technology at City of Miami. As the city’s first Chief Innovation Officer, Michael has been aiding city government in process improvement to help make the government as streamlined as possible. Michael joins the team to discuss how he is liaising the startup and tech communities, training city employees on the practice of innovation, helping people find more time for creativity in their work, the importance of user-testing, Miami’s surge of innovation and new business, and much more!

“Diversity of thought is what creates innovation.” — Lusnail Haberberger Today’s guest is Lusnail Haberberger, President of LUZCO Technologies. LUZCO Technologies is an electrical engineering consulting firm offering project management services, engineering design services, and transmission and distribution engineering services. Lusnail sits down with the team to discuss her passion for engineering, the diversity struggle in engineering, breaking down barriers in the engineering industry, the importance of work-life balance, getting access to resources to help your business grow, and more!

“Raising money is hard, but you stumble through it...you work your way through every phase of the [startup] process.” — Jeff Stevens Today’s guest is Jeff Stevens, Founder of WellBeing Brewing. WellBeing Brewing is a craft brewing company that is solely dedicated to brewing non-alcoholic craft beer. Jeff sits down with the team to discuss how he got started brewing NA beer, the non-alcoholic brewing process, acceptance in the craft beer community, marketing and selling NA beer nationally, the struggle of raising money for your venture, and much more!

“Entrepreneurship is not something just rests within the business schools, it is cross-disciplinary.” — Romi Bhatia Today’s guest is Romi Bhatia, Executive Director of The Idea Center at Miami Dade College. The Idea Center offers a support network for all MDC students and community members to make creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial ideas come true. Romi sits down with the team to discuss the importance of real-world application in a teaching setting, the center’s main teaching methodologies, his passion for economic empowerment, starting Scale Up Miami, and much more!

“What if instead of a company coming in and giving support, an entire city came in and supported entrepreneurs?” — Emily Lohse-Busch Today’s guest is Emily Lohse-Busch, Executive Director at Arch Grants. Arch Grants is a nonprofit organization that is building a new economy by providing $50K equity-free grants and pro bono support services to entrepreneurs who locate their early-stage businesses in St. Louis. Emily sits down with the team to talk about Arch Grants' goal for the St. Louis economy, providing support and resources to startups, the process of receiving a grant, the struggle of raising capital in the Midwest, the future of Arch Grants, and more!

“Processes make everything better … Spend time on how to operate efficiently with human capital constraint.” — Aaron Mottern Today’s guest is Aaron Mottern, Founder & CEO of AGOGIE. AGOGIE designs and manufactures resistance integrated clothing for the sports performance, fitness, and athleisure industries. Aaron sits down with the team to discuss his entrepreneurial journey that led him to his current product, his passion for creating opportunities for others, customer success stories, working within the St. Louis business ecosystem, the importance of internal processes to maximize efficiency, and much more!

“Being candid with other entrepreneurs about your vulnerabilities or places that you want to improve actually enhance the business.”  — Aryan Rashed Today’s guest is Aryan Rashed, Co-owner of JetSet Miami. JetSet Miami is a fitness studio that utilities a modern form of pilates to transform your body and mind. Aryan joins the team today to discuss her passion for fitness and starting JetSet, creating a common purpose bigger than fitness, welcoming competition and learning from one another, the importance of negotiating as a small business owner, giving back to the community, encouraging authenticity, celebrating hard work, and much more!

“Rather than creating a system that is teaching people to be reactive … teach them to be proactive.” — Matthew Haber Today’s guest is Matthew Haber, Co-Founder at CivicPro. CivicPro is a Miami-based social enterprise focused on making it easier to track and engage with the local policy decisions that affect residents, businesses, and the city. Matthew sits down with the team to discuss why he started CivicPro, simplifying the government - resident interaction process, how CivicPro is  working to increase non-electoral civic engagement, the importance of speaking up at the local government level, and much more.

“Do something that moves you … just start with something that gets you excited and see where it takes you.” — Alejandro Cornejo   Today’s guest is Alejandro Cornejo, Leadership Development Trainer at Emerson. Emerson concentrates on challenges facing the process, industrial, commercial and residential markets. Alejandro joins the team to discuss his passion for influencing and impacting people, the importance of goal setting and anticipating roadblocks, how to handle feedback from anyone, doing something that moves you, and the importance of exposing yourself to other communities. Reach out to Alejandro on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter for more insights and info!

“Life is short and if don’t take the chance, you’ll never know.” — Lisa Hu   Today’s guest is Lisa Hu, Founder & CEO of Lux and Nyx. Lux and Nyx is a luxury hand and travel bag company that creates products with a social conscience. Lisa sits down with the team to discuss how she came up with her business idea, the importance of staying organized and creating a business plan, the demands of being a full time entrepreneur, how to network and market a new product, scaling up her business and her next steps for growth, and much more!