Category: Blog Posts

Recently I spoke with Christie Kerner, whose 30-year entrepreneurial journey has spanned multiple successful start-ups, defining roles inside StartupAZ, and a tenure as the Executive Director of Student Entrepreneurship at Arizona State University. With a wealth of experience and a passion for community-building, Christie has focused much of her entrepreneurial journey on empowering others to find personal fulfillment. This is exemplified by her most recent venture as the founder of the Startup COO Club. Christie Kerner speaks to the importance of finding your tribe, the merits of emotional intelligence in entrepreneurship, and the invaluable role of hands-on experience.

Recently I spoke with Gerry Frigon, the founder and President of Taylor Frigon Capital Management LLC, an SEC registered investment advisory. Mr. Frigon’s journey includes 21 years at Merrill Lynch in San Fransisco, 17 years as an entrepreneur, and tremendous dedication to numerous board positions in the technology, education and non-profit space. Drawing on nearly 40 years of experience in the wealth management industry, Mr. Frigon speaks to the importance of balancing technical expertise with business acumen, aligning business practices with personal values and faith, and the ongoing importance of human relationships in the face of technological advancement.

Recently I spoke with Arvid Eriksson, an award-winning director, film maker, and digital creative, currently working in New Zealand. On a multinational journey originating in Sweden, Arvid speaks to the universality of a need for community, as well as the importance of living authentically for the advancement of a better world. He emphasizes the importance of believing in your own stories and growing into an understanding that ‘if you can stay confident in your more sensitive, vulnerable areas that is where the really good stuff happens’.

Recently I spoke with Glenn Harley, a passive home builder and consultant in New Zealand. On a journey that includes a tenure on the Board for the Passive Housing Institute of New Zealand, Mr. Harley breaks down the key differences between the sustainable housing market in the U.S. and New Zealand. He speaks to the fulfillment to be found in having a positive impact on your community, and innovation being the key to affordability in the passive house industry. Mr. Harley’s perspective is a great follow-up to my interview with Kyle Hanson from Timber Age last month.

This month I spoke with Kyle Hanson, founder of Timber Age, a mission-driven startup in southwestern Colorado, which is revolutionizing the way we think about building materials and community impact. As we explore the growing awareness of the mass timber industry and its many benefits, Kyle Hanson speaks to the importance of community in entrepreneurship, his focus on sustainability, and the innovative timber technology that is allowing Timber Age to make waves in the construction industry.

This month I spoke with Brandon Clarke, who is both the Co-Founder of StartupAZ, a foundation that connects founders, partners, and resources to support Arizona’s strongest startups, and Co-Founder of Scratch, the first business management software designed for young entrepreneurs. As we explore technology trends and the emerging venture capital landscape in Arizona, Brandon Clarke speaks to the fulfillment to be found in community building and displays an unwavering commitment to empowering others.

This month I spoke with Chris Gomersall, founder of Atomized, about his entrepreneurial journey seamlessly intertwining creativity and the ever-evolving technology landscape. On a journey that takes in big brand advertising campaigns, Facebook, and selling a successful start-up, Chris Gomersall speaks to the art of embracing the struggle, the power of resetting, and the energy he finds creating on the leading edge of emerging technology.