In the second episode of our Launch Greensboro series, advisory board members Kelli Frazier and Clifford Thompson talk to three entrepreneurs about their experiences with LaunchLab Growth. Guests are Matthew Mullens, Shawn Straub and Larry Diana.
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This episode is sponsored by Truliant Federal Credit Union
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Today’s hosts are Kelly Fraser and Clifford Thompson, who both sit on the board for Launch Greensboro.
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00:57 - Kelly welcomes back listeners to continue to learn more about Launch Greensboro. Launch Greensboro aims to accelerate growth for entrepreneurs starting businesses in the Greensboro and Triad area by providing education, mentoring, and access to capital. Today’s episode and guests focus on the growth and mentorship aspects of the program.
1:55 - We start with guest Matthew Mullins, founder of Empasta, a plant-based cheese sauce. He discusses how he first heard about Launch Greensboro, how he got involved at the start, and how Launch really helped his business grow and gain traction.
4:22 - Kelly asks Matthew to explain his experience in Launch Greensboro’s growth program. Matthew describes a several-week program that builds a cohort of entrepreneurs learning together. Professionals and experienced speakers teach important skills, paid interns can be provided, and mentors are available to help expand networks, provide expertise, and keep entrepreneurs accountable.
7:30 - Clifford asks what advice Matthew would give to another young person who was looking to start a business. Matthew simply says “Go for it!” He emphasizes that younger people generally have less to lose and more mobility, but you will still have to bootstrap, work hard, and find capital to build something out of nothing.
8:59 - Matthew gives an update on how Empasta was growing and where it is now, and how COVID has impacted his business. He stresses the importance of being flexible and open to pivot, which has brought him to the point of exploring how to potentially expand.
10:25 - Kelly inquires about how Launch Greensboro has stayed a part of Matthew’s personal and professional network since he graduated from the program. Matthew explains that Launch provides continuing education through Lunch & Learns, newsletters, and simply being available to share resources. He emphasizes some events that help him stay connected to other entrepreneurs and mentors as well.
11:35 - Kelly introduces Shawn and Larry to speak more about the mentorship program, from both the mentor and mentee perspectives. Shawn Straub, the owner of AltHR Partners, introduces herself, a specialty HR consulting company that has been around for a couple of years. Shawn went through the Launch Greensboro Growth Program and was matched with her mentor, Larry, who really helped solidify her business vision and action plan.
16:00 - Larry Diana shares his side of the mentor relationship and how his professional career helped him establish a firm foundation of business knowledge, before starting his own business. Throughout his professional experiences, he really found his calling in entrepreneurship and in mentoring others.
18:33 - Clifford asks Larry what surprises him the most from his experience working with the startups at Launch. Larry is consistently impressed by the energy and commitment of entrepreneurs because it is such hard work to launch a business successfully. He enjoys the part of mentorship that allows him to coach mentees through the challenges and manage the problems - good and bad - that arise.
20:18 - Kelly asks Shawn how things are currently at AltHR and what her next steps for the company are. AltHR is running and growing strong, and credits the strong networks and connections that she made through Launch for that growth. She explains that she’s found some niches where AltHR can really flourish as the main provider of HR systems.
24:47 - Shawn and Kelly highlight how impactful Launch is, creating its own ecosystem of entrepreneurs and mentors to continue the cycle of helping new businesses, to celebrate the growth of Launch businesses, and to find camaraderie in other entrepreneurs who know the importance of the struggles and successes.
27:15 - Each guest helps to wrap up the episode with some final thoughts. Matt recaps how Launch Greensboro is really the place to be as an entrepreneur looking to launch or grow a business. The resources and connections provided are invaluable. Larry echoes this sentiment, expressing that the learning opportunities, connections, and knowledge sources are endless.
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Check out Matthew’s products at https://www.empastafood.com/
Find more about Shawn’s HR offerings at http://www.althrpartners.com/
Are you interested in becoming a mentor with Launch Greensboro?
Contact Jenn at jhensel@greensboro.org.
Follow on socials:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/greensboroentrepreneur
Twitter - https://twitter.com/launchgso
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/launch-greensboro/
Make sure to follow impact. The Boro on social media!
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @gsochamber
Visit the Chamber website at greensboro.org.
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