Weekly Impact by Lay of The Land

In this conversation, Jim Haviland interviews Jennifer Malcolm, founder of Jennasis Associates, discussing her journey as an entrepreneur, the evolution of her business, and the challenges faced in the marketing industry. Jennifer shares insights on leadership, personal growth, and the importance of dreaming big while navigating the complexities of running a business. The conversation highlights the unique aspects of Jennasis Associates and the value of conscious leadership in today's business environment.https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifernoblemalcolm/https://www.linkedin.com/company/jennasis-and-associates/https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcia-hudgel-9518b661/https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-ferrini-4a1202142/https://www.bdmorganfdn.org/https://edwardlowe.org/Jennifer started Jennasis in 2011 as a response to personal challenges.The business evolved from virtual admin work to a full-service marketing agency.Marketing requires a balance of creativity and data-driven strategies.Surviving in a saturated market demands constant innovation.Leadership is about humility and recognizing one's strengths and weaknesses.Conscious leadership focuses on intentionality and self-awareness.The importance of creating a safe space for team expression.Unintended consequences can significantly impact business outcomes.Never stop dreaming and pursuing new opportunities.Support from family and mentors is crucial for success."Marketing is a mix of art and science."

In this conversation, Jim Haviland interviews Erick Sharp, the founder of ACE Laboratories, discussing the unique position of the company in the polymer industry, the challenges of a depleting technical workforce, the importance of mentorship, and the dynamics of team leadership. Erick shares insights on how ACE Laboratories supports innovation and growth for its clients while fostering a positive work environment.https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericksharp/Mentors Doug Hartley https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-hartley-56397b37/Jim Jelinek TakeawaysACE Laboratories focuses on scaling technology for its customers.The polymer industry faces a significant gap in technical expertise.Mentorship plays a crucial role in business development.A strong team is essential for executing a business vision.ACE Laboratories has trademarked the term 'rubber nerds' to embrace their technical expertise.The company has been recognized as one of the best places to work for four consecutive years.Innovation in the polymer space is vital for attracting younger talent.The perception of the rubber industry needs to change to attract new workers.Erick emphasizes the importance of listening to customer needs.Building a supportive network of mentors has been key to ACE's success.Sound bite"We trademark the term rubber nerds."Weekly Impact is sponsored by FirstOS, Build a Great Business from the Start

After a brief hiatus, Jim Haviland and Kris Snyder discuss various themes surrounding entrepreneurship, leadership, and the evolving landscape of business. They reflect on recent podcast episodes, emphasizing the importance of intrinsic motivation for founders, the necessity of learning new skills, and the role of storytelling in leadership. The discussion also touches on the significance of community support for local entrepreneurs and the need to measure success beyond financial metrics. All this as summary and review of the last month of Lay of the Land episodes.This week's Lay of the Land episodes reviewed:https://www.layoftheland.fm/186-andrew-rising-encore-venture-labs-bridging-clevelands-industrial-heritage-to-its-industri/https://www.layoftheland.fm/187-aaron-hoffman-john-zinno-deliverthat-the-future-of-catering-delivery/https://www.layoftheland.fm/188-joe-pulizzi-tilt-publishing-content-entrepreneur-expo-content-marketing-community-and/https://www.layoftheland.fm/189-chas-d-withers-dix-eaton-running-towards-the-fire/https://www.layoftheland.fm/bonus-marketing-moves-investing-in-ohios-future-ft-jeffrey-stern/Other References:https://www.impactarchitects.io/annual-planning-2024/

SummaryIn this episode, Jim Haviland and Kris Snyder review Lay of the Land #183 that features Laura Bennett and Alex Krooglik, formerly of Embrace Pet Insurance, and discuss the journey of early-stage entrepreneurs, focusing on the challenges they face, the importance of market research, and the dynamics of investor responsibilities. The conversation highlights the significance of finding the right partnerships and establishing strong core values within teams to ensure long-term success. Jim emphasizes the need for resilience in navigating the ups and downs of the entrepreneurial landscape, as well as the critical role of communication and shared values in fostering effective collaboration.This week's Lay of the Land episode reviewed:https://www.layoftheland.fm/183-laura-bennett-alex-krooglik-embrace-pet-insurance-the-story-of-a-cleveland-unicorn/Other Lay of the Land Episodes mentioned:https://www.layoftheland.fm/124-andrew-spott-hr-signal-vividfront/Other References:https://www.embracepetinsurance.com/https://rocketfueluniversity.com/assessments/https://www.vividfront.com/marketing-movesChapters00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview02:41 Navigating Early Stage Challenges05:21 The Importance of Market Research08:07 Investor Responsibilities and Equity Dynamics10:30 Finding the Right Business Partner12:52 Core Values and Company Culture

In this conversation, Jim Haviland and Kris Snyder discuss Lay of the Land #181 with Fred DiSanto of Ancora, the importance of wisdom and earned wisdom, the value of trusted relationships and introductions, the benefits of being part of a community, the role of mentorship in personal and professional growth, the importance of making decisions and taking action, and the significance of annual planning sessions for businesses.TakeawaysWisdom is gained through years of experience and paying attention to learning opportunities.Trusted relationships and introductions are valuable for personal and professional growth.Being part of a community allows for easier connection and collaboration.Mentorship plays a crucial role in personal and professional development.Making decisions and taking action is more important than waiting for the perfect solution.Annual planning sessions are essential for setting goals and aligning the team's vision.Sound Bites"Wisdom is gained through years of experience if we're lucky enough to pay attention to the learning.""Trusted high valued relationships are built through trusted introductions of value.""If you're looking for something to get back, you're doing it wrong."Chapters03:02 The Power of Trusted Relationships06:04 The Value of Mentorship07:39 The Mindset of a Leader11:18 The Significance of Annual Planning15:47 ConclusionThis week's Lay of the Land episode reviewed:https://www.layoftheland.fm/181-fred-disanto-ancora/Other Lay of the Land Episodes mentioned:https://www.layoftheland.fm/12-bob-sopko-launchnet-case-western-reserve-university/Other References:https://www.impactarchitects.io/annual2023/https://cose.org/events/2024/10/15/cose-signature-event/big-summit/Bob Sopko's List:1. BRITE Startup Weekend | Sep 12-14 | Cleveland & CincinnatiFor three days, you will join expert mentors and create startups! The event is for students interested in entrepreneurship, sustainability and creating positive change through innovation. Held at Case Western Reserve University https://brite.org/startup-weekend/Material to cross-promote - https://www.canva.com/design/DAGNXz3r3yg/DDngUxCi-fAdKVd4qnBGqQ/view?utm_content=DAGNXz3r3yg&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor2. NASA International Space Apps Challenge Cleveland at NASA Glenn Research Center Oct 5 - 6Cleveland has teamed up with the group putting on the event in Silicon Valley. Many CWRU have entered in the past. Over 57,000 participants on 8,700 teams from 152 countries. Virtually and in person for anyone. The in person is US Citizens only and limited space.https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/nasa-space-apps-2024/2024-local-events/cleveland-oh3. Northeast Ohio Student Venture Fund Due 9/6Run by students and open to everyone to apply for funding. http://www.neosvf.com/4. National Science Foundation I-Corps Due 9/15A 7-week program focusing on using direct customer interactions to validate an idea. https://www.uakronuarf.com/i-corps.html5. SXSW Pitch early entry due 9/8A CWRU student and researcher entered in the past leading to connections and funding. SXSW pitch showcases innovative tech to industry experts, high-profile media, venture capital, and angel investors. https://www.sxsw.com/pitch/6. Ohio VC fest Sells out fast 9/17, 18Celebrating our growing technology, innovation, and investing community. Over 100 Investors, 200 plus startups. https://ohiovcfest.com/7. 3 River Venture Fest 10/29, 30Bringing together hundreds of investors, entrepreneurs, and top-tier service providers. https://3rvf.com/8. Garage + Taiwanese 8 day meet ups Due 9/8Travel and accommodations subsidy provided. 1-on-1 meetings and startup exhibition open house.Program Deck Why Taiwan What is Garage+'s Open HouseIndustries: AI & Data Analysis, IoT & Smart Devices, Digital Health, CarTech, 5G Technology, Robotics, Smart Energy etc.https://twepoch.org/SGP-F24_CC2 entryThanks.Bob Sopkowww.linkedin.com/in/bobsopko

In this conversation, Jim Haviland and Kris Snyder discuss various topics including founders' dinners, the grand opening of Encore Venture Labs, the Ohio VC Fest, and the importance of focusing on numbers in business. They emphasize the value of networking, seeking feedback, and building a strong team. They also highlight the recognition received by Payne & Tompkins and Meg Mayhew for their achievements. The conversation concludes with a mention of future discussions on the flywheel and community building.Chapters00:00 Introduction and the Value of Networking03:13 Encore Venture Labs Grand Opening06:09 Cranes' Report on Best Employers in Ohio08:53 Ohio VC Fest and Speaking Engagements11:06 The Importance of Numbers in Business14:15 Future Discussions on the Flywheel and Community BuildingThis week's Lay of the Land episode:https://www.layoftheland.fm/bonus-weekly-impact-craig-hassall-playhouse-square-iovs-and-innovation-summit/Other Lay of the Land Episodes mentioned:https://www.layoftheland.fm/146-meg-mayhugh-people-architects/https://www.layoftheland.fm/98-kris-snyder-ninetyio-impact-architects-vox-mobile/Other References:https://www.wearepeoplearchitects.com/https://www.encoreventurelabs.com/https://www.payne-tompkins.com/https://www.hyland.com/enhttps://ohiovcfest.com/https://www.impactarchitects.io/firstos/https://cose.org/events/2024/10/15/cose-signature-event/big-summit/TakeawaysNetworking and seeking feedback from mentors and peers is crucial for success in business.Building a strong team and fostering trust and open communication are essential for achieving goals.Recognizing the importance of numbers and regularly monitoring and adjusting them is key to business success.Celebrating and acknowledging the achievements of individuals and businesses is important for motivation and growth.Exploring topics such as the flywheel and community building can provide valuable insights for business growth and momentum.

In this conversation, Jim Haviland and Kris Snyder discuss the importance of good infrastructure and solving the digital divide. They highlight the work of Joshua Edmonds, who is working on providing affordable internet access through his company Canopy. They also touch on the history of internet connectivity and the need for access to healthcare and education. The conversation then shifts to the concept of community building and the impact of Introductions of Value. They discuss the importance of trust at scale and the intersection of commerce and community. The conversation concludes with a mention of the partnership between Ninety and the Exit Planning Institute and the importance of having an intentional operating system for success.TakeawaysGood infrastructure and solving the digital divide are crucial for access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.Canopy's affordable internet access solution using existing infrastructure is innovative and impactful.Community building and Introductions of Value are key to fostering collaboration and economic growth.Trust at scale is essential for successful community building and commerce.Having an intentional operating system is important for achieving intentional results.This week's Lay of the Land episode reviewed:https://www.layoftheland.fm/177-joshua-edmonds-digitalc-bridging-the-digital-divide-in-cleveland-internet-as-a-human-rig/Other Lay of the Land Episodes mentioned:https://www.layoftheland.fm/27-brett-lindsey-everstream-snip-internet/Other References:https://digitalc.org/https://www.cpp.org/About/Historyhttps://exit-planning-institute.org/Chapters00:00 Introduction02:10 The Power of Infrastructure and Technology05:30 The Entrepreneurial Spirit11:03 Investing in the Entrepreneurial Community14:39 The Role of an Operating System