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KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank Featuring Al Meyers with TiE Atlanta

Al-Meyers-Shrimptank1

KSUEntrepreneurship

Where can a young entrepreneur figure out how to turn their dreams into reality? Just take a step into the Shrimp Tank. The Shrimp Tank brings you interviews with some of the most successful business owners in the United States to learn the do’s and don’ts of starting and running a successful business. Then, the fun really starts when we bring in high school and college students to pitch their business ideas to the Shrimp Tank. We don’t fund any business, but we do teach kids how to turn their business ideas into a successful business.

Hosts of The Shrimp Tank Chris Hanks, Ted Jenkin and Lee Heisman

 

Al Meyers / TiE Atlanta
Executive Director

Al Meyers Al Meyers, the Executive Director of TiE Atlanta, is an entrepreneur and media executive with more than 25 years of experience across Fortune 500 companies, for-profit and nonprofit startups.  Meyers has launched two award-winning, sustainable, Atlanta-based nonprofit organizations: TEDxPeachtree and the Atlanta Music Project.  Both are successful community assets that have made a significant social impact in Metro Atlanta.  TEDxPeachtree has become the premier TEDx event in Georgia and one of the leading TEDx events in the world, with several talks garnering millions of views.  The Atlanta Music Project is the first music program in the state of Georgia inspired by the globally acclaimed Venezuelan youth music program, El Sistema. AMP is an intensive music program for at-risk youth right in their neighborhood, and now serves hundreds of at-risk youth across several locations in Metro Atlanta who are now on a path to college and career.

Previously, Meyers ran his own boutique consulting practice, Saisei Consulting, a provider of strategy and corporate development advisory services to early-stage, growth-stage and mature digital media companies around the world. Al has advised several startups in the areas of digital media, 3D technology, online games and games for K-12 education.  Al has spoken to external audiences on such topics as disruptive innovation in education, and the role of online games outside of the “purely entertainment” arena.

Meyers accumulated more than two decades of experience in the media and entertainment industry with several Fortune 100 companies.  Meyers served as Vice President of Strategic Planning at Turner Broadcasting  where he was a founding member of GameTap, and facilitated the sale of GameTap to a French company in 2008.  Meyers spent nearly 13 years at the company (1995-2008), and spent considerable time on M&A transactions and strategy development for Turner (and across Time Warner) and its portfolio of businesses, with an emphasis on Cartoon Network.

Al received his Bachelor’s degree from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, and his Masters in Business Administration from the Leonard Stern School of Business at New York University.

LinkedIn   Twitter   Facebook

 

Women in Technology (WIT) Special Edition

Mona Charif

The work of Women in Technology has an incredible impact.
Since 1992, Women in Technology has had a mission dedicated to promoting the advancement of women in Georgia’s technology community. Through the WIT COMMUNITY, WIT Also educates and encourages girls and young women to pursue careers in STEM.

 

Sandy Welfare /  WIT 

Sandy D. Welfare is the Executive Director of Women In Technology (WIT). Prior to that, she was the Executive Director of Cool Girls Inc, an award-winning early intervention after-school program dedicated to the empowerment of girls (2009-2015).

Sandy’s career began in 1989 in Greenwich, Connecticut where she joined Rand Insurance as the Controller. Six years later, she accepted a position with Lucent Technologies, an international telecommunications leader, holding a number of positions including serving as Accounting and Treasury Manager in Singapore (1999-2000) and then as Senior Manager in Australia and New Zealand (2000-2002). Sandy returned to Atlanta in 2002 as Senior Manager of Global Financial Services.

In 2003, Sandy accepted a position as Director of Operations for Xchanging, a business processing outsourcing company. In 2006, her career took her to London, England as Managing Director for professional services, where she managed global business processing services for bank financial transactions, insurance and retail.

Sandy received her undergraduate degree from St. John’s University in New York, and a Master of Business Administration from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. She serves on the board of several non-profits, including Kiwanis Club of Atlanta. Sandy resides in Marietta, Georgia with her husband, Cliff and son, Soloman.

Twitter     Twitter(Sandy)      LinkedIn

 

Mona Charif / NTT Data, Inc.
Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

Mona Charif is an award-winning marketing and communications professional with a proven track record of over-achievement. She is Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Office for NTT Data, Inc., a world-class IT services firm and systems integrator. Her focus is on programs and campaigns that increase client understanding of how NTT DATA helps them achieve their business goals.

Mona is dedicated to fostering awareness on diversity in the workplace, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) training for girls and young women. She is the proud mother of two exceptional teenagers, the wife of an extraordinarily patient man, and a devoted daughter and sister. Mona also enjoys tennis, gardening, travel, movies and award shows.

LinkedIn   Twitter

 

 

Georgia Department of Economic Development Small Business Rock Stars

Small Business Rockstars

 

Mary Ellen McClanahan / Georgia Department of Economic Development
Director, Entrepreneur & Small Business Project Manager, Global Commerce

As Director of Entrepreneur & Small Business Development for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Mary Ellen helps find solutions and effective ways to build an enabling environment and support small business through mentoring, professional development, strategic planning, processes and resource awareness.  She connects with Georgia’s business and community associations so that thousands of businesses, local leaders and practitioners are aware of resources and opportunities.  She also directs any sized businesses to the specific resources they need.

Mary Ellen is an Existing Industry Project Manager within the Metro Atlanta region.  She calls on growing companies, making them aware of state resources and incentives, and provides assistance with their growth plans and decision-making process.  Mary Ellen also works closely with the local economic developers with their economic development efforts.

During her 19 years with the department, she helped develop and grow its regional economic development program, the “Entrepreneur Friendly” Initiative, and acted as legislative liaison.  Prior to that, Mary Ellen was the economic developer and president of two rural South Georgia chambers of commerce in Dodge and Sumter Counties.

Originally from Erie, PA, and in Georgia since 1973, Mary Ellen serves on the boards of GEDA (Georgia Economic Developers Association), GACCE (GA Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives), Georgia Mentor Protégé Connection, and the DeKalb Workforce Investment Board.

She is a 1997 graduate of Institute for Organization Management and Leadership Georgia, and a 2000 graduate of EDI (Economic Development Institute).

LinkedIn   Twitter   Facebook

 

Carrie Burns / Atlanta Movie Tours
Founder /CEO and Chief Movie Buff

The film industry is booming in Georgia, with over 700 movies and 20 television shows filmed here since 1972. Atlanta has been fortunate to play a key role in many, including Ant-Man, Driving Miss Daisy, The Vampire Diaries, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Ride Along, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2 and The Walking Dead. Since 2012, Atlanta Movie Tours has been providing a whole new way to see the city for visitors and locals alike. Atlanta Movie Tours tour guides are experienced actors who have worked on set, giving you fascinating behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

Twitter   Facebook

 

Mallory Sofferin / Sweet Grass Dairy
Communications Coordinator

Sweet Grass Dairy currently manufactures six different artisan cow’s milk cheeses. Sweet Grass Dairy also has a small cheese shop and a full service restaurant in historic downtown Thomasville. Sweet Grass Dairy is dedicated to producing high quality, flavorful cow’s milk cheeses that are a true expression of their unique terroir.  They purchase milk from the family’s dairy farm located 30 miles from the cheese plant. The Little family is dedicated to farming sustainably in a New Zealand rotational grazing method, and to upholding the highest level of humane animal husbandry.

Sweet Grass Dairy is located in the only area of the United States where cattle can graze 365 days a year due to mild winters and unlimited water from the Floridian aquifer. Sweet Grass Dairy does not even have a barn to house their cows. The company’s goal as cheese makers is to make cheeses in an old world style to let the true flavors of the grass based milk shine through to the final product. Sweet Grass Dairy is trying to change the American perspective on food, and is dedicated to educating the American public on the importance of knowing how our foodstuffs are grown, raised or made.

Facebook

 

Brandon Pelissero / Ecolink
Chief Value Officer

Ecolink is a 25-year industrial chemical manufacturer and distributor with an environmental mission of less and safer chemicals for workers and their communities. Ecolink is among the earliest pioneers in formulating with citrus terpene oil (citrus fruit skins) as alternatives to toxic and hazardous chemicals which are being banned, or phased out, due to environmental (ozone depleting potential, SMOG) and health & safety reasons (carcinogenicity).

100% of Ecolink’s branded solutions were developed in collaboration with customers. Often times the customer will determine the packaging and labeling, even naming the product in some instances. Ecolink leverages digital marketing in very big ways (Ex: 10 clicks have converted into more than $10M of lifetime revenue). Ecolink is committed to educating the next generation. Starting in 1999, Ecolink funded environmental education with leading national programs and currently invests in high schools, businesses and marketing programs throughout Georgia. Ecolink ships the same/next day. This is very uncommon for the industrial chemical industry, especially for under $500 or 55 gallons. Ecolink recently (10/3/16) celebrated its 25th anniversary and is very pleased to report minimal losses. Ecolink is thankful for doing good while delivering good.

LinkedIn   Twitter   Facebook

 

 

Samrat Sharma with PwC Strategy, Chris Godfrey with Buckhead Business Association and Author Chris Butsch

Samrat Sharma and Chris Butsch

 

Samrat Sharma / PwC Strategy&
Principal

Samrat Sharma is an advisor to executives in the consumer and retail sectors for Strategy&, PwC’s strategy consulting business.

Mr. Sharma is a recognized thought leader and has several publications to his credit, including “Creating an Organic Growth Machine,” which appeared in the Harvard Business Review, “Escaping the Consolidation Mentality in CPG” and “Shaping Category Dynamics to Win in CPG” in strategy+business magazine. He has also written and contributed to many other s+b articles and viewpoints.

Prior to joining Strategy&, Mr. Sharma spent six years in marketing, business development, and strategy with Honeywell International and General Electric, and in executive search with Korn/Ferry International.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce, with Honors, from the University of Delhi, and an MBA in Strategy, Marketing, Finance and International Business from Carnegie Mellon University.

LinkedIn   Twitter   Facebook

 

Chris Butsch / The Millenial’s Guide to Making Happiness
Author

Chris Butsch is Atlanta Business Radio’s “Millennial Correspondent.” Author of The Millennial’s Guide to Making Happiness, Chris educates other generations on how to decrypt and connect with his unique generation.

LinkedIn   Twitter   Facebook

 

Chris Godfrey / Buckhead Business Association
President-Elect

Chris Godfrey joined Avison Young’s Office Advisory Team as an Associate in the fall of 2015. He is a Metro-Atlanta native, and a graduate of the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. Chris focuses on creating relationships with clients and learning about their culture so he can provide innovative solutions to positively impact organizations and grow talent retention. Chris has served as president of the Buckhead Business Association’s young professional group where the pillars focus on leadership, philanthropy and connecting others. He is involved with the Metro Atlanta Chamber and has served on several committees, helping provide insight into the commercial real estate needs of the city and how it aligns with the talent pool.

As Atlanta continues to be an international beacon where hospitality meets hustle, Chris is at the forefront of helping organizations with their real estate strategies to meet the needs of what will soon be the largest group of employed talent, the Millennials. His unique background provides an advantage to clients as he can focus on their needs, bridging their real estate and people.

LinkedIn   Twitter

 

James Lloyd with TITLE Boxing Club

 

James Lloyd / TITLE Boxing Club
Franchise Development Manager

James LloydJames Lloyd started his career at TITLE Boxing Club back in 2009, working on the front lines of the franchise business as a trainer, assistant manager and eventual general manager of the original, and first, TITLE Boxing Club in the country in Overland Park, KS.  Working every position in the business allowed James to see the real needs of the business through multiple channels, and in 2011 he became a franchise owner himself.   His career path shifted when current CEO John Rotche purchased part of the company in 2012 and asked James to move to Ann Arbor, MI in order to build out a new corporate location.  Over the last 5 years James has served in various roles for the company, from a regional director of franchise operations, to his current position as a franchise development manager.   Today James uses his in-depth knowledge of the TITLE Boxing Club franchise system to help individuals achieve lifelong goals and embark on the path of franchise ownership.

LinkedIn   Twitter   Facebook

 

Neighborhood Business Radio Episode 3

Neighborhood Business Radio

 

Teena Thomas / Makeup by Teena

Teena was born March 29,1992 in Kerala, India. When she was 2 years old her family moved to the United States with her two older brothers. Growing up she wasn’t allowed to wear much makeup, but being the youngest sibling of two boys she didn’t have much of an interest. What she did have a passion for was art. She loved painting, drawing and even creating her own picture books. “Art was my escape and a way of creating my own perfect world.”

As Teena got older and entered high school, she discovered her love for makeup. As the years progressed, Teena worked as a freelance artist for Pur Minerals as a vendor in several different Ulta locations. In 2015, Teena attained her Bachelors in Social Science from Kennesaw State University. After graduating, Teena relocated to Atlanta, GA, where she has continued to develop her experience by working with different editorial photographers and modeling agencies including Ford Models.

Instagram   VoyageATL Article

 

Tim Samuel / Sparketh
Co-Founder and Vice President

Sparketh uses its online learning platform to empower young students to reach their creative potential. We are creating an atmosphere that is a rewarding place for both students and professionals. Our goal is to create a portfolio of quality online courses that are as effective as an in-person private tutor.

LinkedIn   Twitter   Instagram

 

 

Kurt and Kyle Sobotka with Prime Technical Services, Jeffrey Stepakoff with Georgia Film Academy and Author Chris Butsch

Prime Technology Services

 

Kurt and Kyle Sobotka / Prime Technical Services
President and Co-Founder

Kurt Sobotka started Prime Technical Services with his twin brother Kyle in 2014.  Prime Technical Services is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned small business supporting customers in the private and public sectors.  Prime has been selected as a finalist for this year’s Pacesetter Awards in being one of the fastest growing privately held companies in Atlanta by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

LinkedIn   Twitter   Facebook

 

Jeffrey Stepakoff / Georgia Film Academy
Executive Director

Jeffrey Stepakoff was raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He is an accomplished writer-producer and an experienced academic, with a twenty-eight year entertainment industry career that includes sweeping internationally-recognized credits, leadership roles in content creation and production management, and a track record of collaboration, innovation, and success in virtually all forms of commercial media.

After earning a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and then completing his Masters of Fine Arts in Playwriting at Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama, Stepakoff moved to Hollywood and began writing and producing film, television and digital entertainment. He has “written by” or “story by” credits on thirty-seven television episodes, has written for fifteen different series, and has been a writer and/or writer-producer on eight prime time, or first-run cable staffs. He’s been credited on more than two hundred episodes of popular television. TV credits for which he is most known include the Emmy-winning The Wonder Years, Sisters, Wild Card, Hyperion Bay, The Magic School, C16:FBI, Robin’s Hoods, Land’s End, Flipper, Sons & Daughters, Major Dad, The Yakov Smirnoff Show, Beauty & the Beast, Have Faith, Simon & Simon, and Dawson’s Creek, where he was Co-Executive Producer. Until July 2015, he worked as the Co-Executive Producer of Chasing Life for ABC Family.

Twitter   Twitter (Personal)   Facebook

 

Chris Butsch / The Millenial’s Guide to Making Happiness
Author

Chris Butsch is Atlanta Business Radio’s “Millennial Correspondent.” Author of The Millennial’s Guide to Making Happiness, Chris educates other generations on how to decrypt and connect with his unique generation.

LinkedIn   Twitter   Facebook

 

Biz Radio U Featuring Katy Galli with Keep Moving Forward Podcast

Keep Moving Forward

KSUEntrepreneurship
Biz Radio U
Hosted by Adam Wozniak and Darren Parkinson

 

Katy Galli / Keep Moving Forward Podcast
Host

Katy Galli is an entrepreneur based out of Atlanta, GA. Her ultimate goal is to help you realize that you can beat the odds and go the distance, if only you keep moving forward. To achieve this, she created the Keep Moving Forward podcast for your listening pleasure. Every Wednesday, she interviews inspiring individuals from all walks of life who will undoubtedly prove to you that giving up is for rookies. To experience her weekly episodes, you can tune in at http://keepmovingforward.us/ and subscribe on iTunes. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well as @KatyGalli45 for a daily dose of motivation.

In addition to her podcast, she also founded the USA based pet supply company, MallardMade. Specializing in Americana style dog beds that were proudly made right here in the United States, MallardMade previously donated beds to Companions for Heroes to support our veterans and shelter animals in need. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for an exclusive look at her beds.

While she leads the lifestyle of an entrepreneur, she is an avid athlete and coach, as well. She is a certified level 1 USA Track and Field coach, a CrossFit athlete, and a CrossFit Level 1 (CF-L1) trainer.