Breakout Session Description

Getting Started: From Idea to Business Model

The RISE Grapevine Virtual Meetup was hosted on Thursday, March 21, 2024, 12pm-1pm on Zoom.

During this virtual meetup, we discussed recent events and upcoming opportunities for entrepreneurs who are starting or growing businesses in Southern Virginia. The meetup was co-hosted by Natalie Hodge Davis of Rudy’s Girl Media and Hope Harris-Gayles of the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center and the Longwood SBDC, with support from the SOVA Innovation Hub. Our featured entrepreneur speaker was Julie Brown of 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co. who shared her story of starting and growing a business with her family in Danville, VA. 

Featured Entrepreneur: Julie Brown of 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co.

Featured Resources

Upcoming Events

Southern Virginia Regional Procurement Fair

A strong understanding of the procurement process is crucial for businesses of all sizes and services! The Southern Virginia Regional Procurement Fair is designed to educate our valued businesses how to obtain contracts in working with large industries and government agencies. This event is the perfect opportunity to get your foot in the door and your business on the map in working with new and large companies.  

RISE Grapevine Monthly Virtual Meetup

Thursday, April 25 |   12:00-1:00pm   |   Zoom

The RISE Grapevine Monthly Virtual Meetup is a virtual gathering of diverse, creative, and inclusive entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders from across Southern Virginia. During each monthly meeting, we share updates from local and regional entrepreneurs support organizations. 

Entrepreneur Interview with Brian Deurloo, President & Founder of FrogCreek Partners

When it comes to your startup, if you don’t have the passion behind what you’re selling, you’re not going to make it as far as you think. This week, season 2 episode 2 of Entrepreneurship on the RISE Podcast is about secrets to a successful startup! 

In this episode of Entrepreneurship on the RISE Podcast, Jacob and Lauren, joined by their guest Brian Deurloo are sharing how Brian was able to take his passion for the environment and turn it into a product that makes a difference and how you can have success in your startup too. 

In this episode, we sat down with Brian Deurloo, President &  Founder of FrogCreek Partners, based in Casper, Wyoming. 

Key Takeaways

• The cycle of environmental effects that start with polution entering into our drainage system. 
• How Brian’s 3 AM idea led him to win a startup competition that initially funded his product, allowed him to make necessary updates to his prototype and get it on the market. 
• How we can encourage the younger generations to take action on the problems they are pinpointing. 
• The role GBeta played in the success of his startup ans how makerspaces can take the startup game to a new level. 
• The future for startups in Wyoming and other regions alike.

About Frog Creek Partners

Frog Creek Partners is an environmental technology company. We offer innovative products that clean water and services that provide measurable results. We are a mission driven company dedicated to improving the health of watersheds by building long-term relationships with our customers, partners, and anybody else who has a passion for clean water like we do.

Because Clean Water is a Good Thing™ 

Learn more at https://frogcreek.partners

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 

Think and Grow Rich

The 5 AM Club

No Bad Parts 

Ecosystem Builder Interview with Baylie Evans, gBETA Managing Director at gener8tor

What every ecosystem needs is a connector that builds this vast network of open doors for more and more people to access different people and resources they were never able to before. This week, episode 9 of Entrepreneurship on the RISE Podcast is about building networking loops! 

In this episode of Entrepreneurship on the RISE Podcast, Jacob and Lauren, joined by their guest Baylie Evans are sharing the importance of creating programs that connect people together for the greater good and how thinking outside of the box can drive recruitment numbers for programs in rural communities.

In this episode, we sat down with Baylie Evans, gBETA Managing Director at gener8tor. Based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Baylie was the manager for gBETA in Wyoming before her current national role. 

Key Takeaways

• How Baylie uses the networking opportunities she has had throughout her career to continue to connect people in her current role.
• Using solution-driven marketing to peak interest in programs for entrepreneurs. 
• Thinking out of the box and recruiting individuals who may have never considered themselves an entrepreneur or someone with a startup. 
• How the gBETA program helps businesses grow in ways they never thought possible. 
• Emerging opportunities for business in rural America, specifically Wyoming.
• Connectivity is key to building a community of entrepreneurial success. 

CONNECT WITH GENER8OR AND GBETA:

Gener8or

gBETA

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 

The Lean Startup

Venture Deals

Made to Stick

Joe Kirgues on Supporting the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

Ecosystem Builder Interview with Taylor Sanders Grande and Margaret Hedderman of Startup Colorado

When you foster relationships between entrepreneurs across different communities, the benefits span to everyone across the region and create a snowball effect for change. This week, episode 3 of Entrepreneurship on the RISE Podcast is about working together to support emerging communities. 

CO.STARTERS Generator is a modular self-paced program that helps middle school, high school, and college students explore their passions through generating, testing, and launching ideas for businesses and social ventures. With the ability to participate individually or with a classroom or community group, CO.STARTERS Generator is a great way to inspire youth with the vision, enthusiasm, and tenacity needed to move from idea to action. 

In this episode of Entrepreneurship on the RISE Podcast, Jacob and Lauren, joined by their guests Taylor and Margaret from Startup Colorado share the importance of communities working together to benefit their region as a whole and providing these entrepreneurs the resources and opportunities to do so.

About the Guests

In this episode, we sat down with two talented ecosystem builders from Startup Colorado.  Taylor Sanders Grande serves as the Director of Partnerships and Ecosystem Development. Margaret Hedderman serves as the Communications & Editorial Director, which includes producing Startup Colorado’s awesome podcast.

Key Takeaways:

• How Startup Colorado works to identify emerging communities within their region and their role in fostering these communities. 
• Tips for entrepreneurs to go out, pitch themselves, and share their own story. 
• How they managed to pull active individuals into their online network and how they continue to track impact. 
• A look into their network for capital education and resources. 
• How their relationships with local schools allow them to introduce entrepreneurship to students at a young age. 
• Where Startup Colorado started and the next chapter in their journey. 

CONNECT WITH STARTUP COLORADO:

Website

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 

Traction

The Hard Thing About Hard Things 

The Fixer

Do More Faster

The Startup Community Way

Venture Deals 

Dare to Lead 

The Daily Yonder

E2 Talks Podcast