November 8, 2024 • 29 mins
What if the key to transforming your business community is through leadership and mentorship? Find out as we welcome Katie Ballard, Executive Director at the Studer Community Institute, and Kara Dieck, Program Manager of SCI's Building Jobs Program. Katie shares her inspiring journey from Indianapolis to Pensacola, driven by her passion for nonprofit management and community enrichment. Meanwhile, Kara, a Pensacola native, highlights her dedication to helping local businesses flourish, providing a supportive environment for families and entrepreneurs. Together, they reveal how continuous learning and mentorship can inspire future leaders and drive positive change in Pensacola.
Join our conversation as we uncover the vibrant evolution of Pensacola's entrepreneurial landscape. Discover the impact of initiatives like the Studer Community Institute and events such as EntreCon 2024 in retaining and attracting young talent. We discuss the dynamic growth of downtown Pensacola, with new bars, restaurants, and festivals adding to the city's buzz. Learn about the collaborative efforts with organizations like Civicon to boost community connectivity, and get an inside look at the daily operations at SCI, including preparations for the much-anticipated EntreCon event.
In a light-hearted exchange, we dive into the transformative power of mentorship in personal and professional growth. Hear Katie's insightful experiences with mentors like Bert Thornton and Kathy Sandstrom. We highlight EntreCon as a platform where attendees can connect with mentors and even step into mentorship roles themselves. Emphasizing personal initiative, we explore how actively seeking mentorship can propel one's career path. So, grab a beer, embrace your inner nerd, and join us for an engaging session that celebrates the spirit of community-building and innovation in Pensacola. Cheers to new adventures!
Sponsor of this episode: Digital Boardwalk
Digital Boardwalk is one of the top 10 Managed IT Service Providers in the United States. If you are seeking to outsource your IT Management, or if your IT Team could use some help with projects or asset management, give Digital Boardwalk a call today! They offer a FREE IT Maturity Assessment on their website. If you want to see how your business's IT scores against industry standards, go to GoModernOffice.com now.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
for an hour while we drink beer.
Today will not be a beerepisode.
We have some special guests inthe studio and they didn't know
they were going to be in thestudio.
They were dropping by to give mean award for being a sponsor a
10-year sponsor of EntreCon,entreconpensacolacom, which is
(00:34):
our community regionalentrepreneurial event, hosted by
Mr Quint Studer.
So in this Nerds on Tap episodewe're thrilled to welcome,
joining us are Katie Ballard,executive Director at Studer
Community Institute that hostsEntreCon, and Kara Dyke, program
(00:57):
Manager for SCI's Building JobsProgram.
So a little bit about Katie shemoved to Pensacola from
Indianapolis.
She combines her extensivebackground in philanthropy and
nonprofit management with acommitment to enriching her
community.
She's been with SCI since 2016,leading development initiatives
and, more recently, steeringthe organization's vision as
(01:20):
executive director.
As executive director, kara, aPensacola native, coordinates
SCI's leadership training,certifications and EntreCon
events.
Known for her organization andsupportive spirit, kara is
dedicated to making a positiveimpact in people's lives every
single day, except for that,time you almost killed me at
(01:41):
EntreCon.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Let's not talk about that, okay, please.
Thank you, see, I remember.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
With EntreCon just around the corner, we're going
to dive into the power ofleadership training, the impact
of mentorship and how theseelements help shape a thriving
business community.
So join us as we explore thevalue of continuous learning and
the role of mentors in guidingand inspiring tomorrow's leaders
.
So grab your drink of choicewe're not drinking today and
(02:04):
let's uncover the strategies tobuild leadership skills that
truly drive change.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
So, Katie and Kara, welcome to the show.
Thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
We're excited.
We're glad we popped in and youasked us to join.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
Yeah, and you had no idea you were going to be in the
studio today.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
So share a bit about your journey to joining Studer
Community Institute and whatdrew you to these fascinating
roles.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
You go first, sure Okay.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
So, as, tim, you mentioned, I moved here in 2016
from Indianapolis and, having abackground in philanthropy and
nonprofit work, when you arrivein Pensacola it's kind of hard
to miss that Studer name.
So I worked for a coupledifferent nonprofit
organizations in our communitybut ultimately was thinking to
myself, okay, if there'ssomebody here to work with in
(02:57):
town, it's going to be Quint andthe Studer family of companies.
So when an opportunity becameavailable to do some development
work with them, I jumped at it.
So I started with SCI, doingsome grant writing and some
fundraising and just kind of therole evolved from there and I
really believe in what we do andimproving the quality of life
in our community, especiallythrough Entrecron for our
(03:18):
business leaders.
And then we've got that brainsprogram too, working with the
young kids in that zero to threeage range, but I think there's
a lot of work that needs to bedone to equip our business
leaders and really enrich ourcommunity, and that's exactly
what's happening.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Yeah, yeah.
So, kara, how, being a hometownnative, I mean what drew you to
this and why Studer CommunityInstitute?
Why work with?
You know Pensacola leaders andPensacola startups, yeah, you
know, across the board.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
So I moved away, I think right before, like Quint
came to the area.
So I really didn't know anythingabout Quint until I came back
and I was like he does a lot forthe community and, coming back,
I have kids now.
So I'm like I want to make theplace, you know, a better place
to live, a and then also to work, because you know, um can't
(04:12):
have money and raise kidswithout a job.
So, um, but my role at SCI,like Katie's, has evolved and
what I started at was, um spring, helping the co-working space,
and then it evolved from there,and so when the role opened up
for what I do currently, Ijumped on it in a heartbeat
(04:34):
because I want to help peoplestay in Pensacola.
Yes, I left, but when I leftthere was not nearly what is
around currently, and Pensacolais such a great place to raise a
family, to open a business andlike how do we help those
businesses thrive and grow?
How do we come alongside ofthem?
(04:54):
And so that's really what myjob is to come alongside of them
and help them flourish and tomake their dreams come true, and
like that's what I love.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
You know, that seems to be a common theme among young
people that grew up here inPensacola.
They either go to school hereor they go away to school, but
they never came back becausethere weren't any opportunities.
I know when I moved here in 98,99 and started my first
business here in Pensacola,there was no Studer Community.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
Institute.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
There wasn't a lot of young people, you know, because
they were leaving.
They were leaving in droves.
So things like EntreCon, thingslike the opportunities at UWF
now and the opportunitiesthrough the community and the
jobs that we're creating here,especially in tech.
(05:42):
They're keeping young peoplehere.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Absolutely.
I think they're attractingpeople here as well that maybe
otherwise wouldn't have come.
So definitely keeping people,bringing people back and
attracting new people as well,yeah, and you can just see it.
I think, in my opinion, in theevolution of all the things that
are available to us here inPensacola the growth of downtown
and just lots of differentamenities, whether it's bars,
(06:04):
restaurants, things- to dofestivals all that kind of stuff
, lots of stuff, tons of growth,yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
In the late 90s, early 2000s you had like one bar
down to Seville was a staplealways here and you really
didn't have a lot of restaurantsdowntown, it was mostly
franchises and they were on thenorth side of town and they were
on the north side of town so Iwas reading the other day in my
feeds I mean all the developmentand the upcoming development
(06:29):
that's going to be happeninghere to connect the communities
or potentially I saw I think itwas the eight type items with
Civicon and what they're focusedon, and I don't know if you
guys want to talk about that atall or if you're dialed into
that part.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
So we work kind of alongside civicon and eduardo
over there who runs that piece,um, you know I just was at their
event last week with tomdahlberg.
He was here talking aboutbullying but uh, you know I know
that he's working closely withthe developments that are
happening, the cra developmentswith the city, um, and kind of
connecting communities acrossthe the general broader downtown
(07:04):
.
But he'd be a great person tohave on your show too.
Chat a little bit with Eduardo.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
He'd be great.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Maybe you can make a call.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
Yeah, oh, a thousand percent, I'd be happy to.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
So for both of you, what's a typical day in your
role at Studer CommunityInstitute?
I mean, you're here right now.
You didn't plan on still beinghere, but I kept you here, so
let's talk about that.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Yeah, I'll let you go first, okay.
I'll go first this time.
So there's no real typical day,unfortunately, but fortunately
as well, because that's whatmakes it fun is there's
something new and exciting everyday at SDI, whether it's a
business that came by andthey're like hey, how can you
help me to setting up meetingsfor the companies that we do
(07:46):
have in our programs?
Or right now we're gettingready for Entrecon next week.
So it's like you know, ouroffice looks like a bomb went
off because all of our boxes areeverywhere.
But it's something differentand it's fun every single day.
Like I said, there's not like,there's not a general like this
is how the day is going to go,um, we, there's not a general
like this is how the day isgoing to go, um we have a lot of
(08:07):
fun in the office.
Um, we're all really goodfriends, yeah, and so it makes
it um even more fun and excitingto go to work.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
But really helping small businesses are is my main
focus is to help them you know,earlier, was it, I think earlier
this year I actually workedwith you to try to get your
office space to film army video.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
Yeah, yeah, and it worked out great the opening
scene of our, our zombie video.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
yeah, get your office space to film our new video.
Yeah, yeah, and it worked outgreat.
The opening scene of our zombievideo is your office.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
And that just speaks to the fact that there's no
typical day in our office andgiven our location, there really
is no typical day.
Anybody can just kind of walkin there, and they do.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
We wanted a chicken in our video yes, and you were
like, oh, we can't have it.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Yeah, no chicken, no fire.
That was, that was the rules.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
So with entrecon right around the corner, share a
bit about what it's like toprepare for such a major event.
I'm sure it's an all-year thing, but I'll let you lead in on
that and and the impact you hopeit has on attendees yeah, um,
so it is a year-long planningthing.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
So last year at the end of Enchicon we already had
our dates for this year and itreally goes, jumps right into it
.
We gather our speakers rightaway, because without speakers
you don't have a conference, andthis year we have 31 speakers.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
I'm introducing Tiffany Pham.
Yes, I'm excited about that andshe's back for a second year.
Yes, she was in 2019.
Speaker 3 (09:27):
Um, but she's really, she's amazing.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Like dynamic person.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Um, but it's really head down focused.
Um, there's a little more leadway, obviously at the beginning
of the year, because you know wehave a whole year for it, but
as the closer we marketing forit, it's, it's, it's a lot Like
Kara said, kind of reaching outto speakers and then reaching
(09:55):
out to individuals like yourselfto sponsor, because without our
sponsors it's not none of thiswould happen, yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
And we're lucky to have a lot of really great
community partners too, soworking with the little theater
and with voices of Pensacola.
You know, internally to thefamily of companies, five, 11
for the breakout sessions.
And then you know we have a tonof volunteers uh, that
certainly can't happen withoutwithout them and without their
help, and, um, again, otherpartners in the community that
are going to provide some foodfor those volunteers.
(10:21):
So there's just a lot of a lotof moving pieces.
It is a whole year long process, but I think having the
opportunity to bring so manypeople together in one place to
hear from these great speakersis all worth absolutely every
little bit of it.
And that's you know.
I think you asked kind of whatare we hoping that people get
out of it?
And it's that it's anopportunity to engage with
(10:42):
others in the community andreally make some of those
connections.
We have a lot of local speakersand, like you said, tiffany,
she's not local, but she's goingto be wonderful.
Speaker 3 (10:52):
I've spoken a couple of times at Entrecôme.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Yeah, you have when I hit you.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
I don't think I did very well, because you never had
me back.
No, you did great, but I likethe way you guys drive the
breakouts into different venuesin downtown, so it's driving
traffic into local businesses.
It's promoting local businesses, which is the whole point of
all this right Exactly yeah,bringing everybody into downtown
, into local businesses.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
It's promoting local businesses which is the whole
point of all this, right, yeah,yeah, bringing everybody into
downtown.
I think we've got severalout-of-towners staying in hotels
and helping push kind of thattourism aspect of it too because
, that's the whole point ofEntreCon is for it to be this
high-caliber conference that youcan come to either locally or
from not too far away, and nothave to go to someplace like New
York or Chicago and pay forairfare and pay for hotel and
pay for food and all that kindof stuff.
(11:35):
You can get it right here intown, and then the extra benefit
of that is that you can makeconnections that can flourish
from there and really help yourbusiness.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
Well, I think outside of the net, the networking is
one of the biggest opportunities.
I think a lot of people see inthere because I have met a
considerable amount of peoplethat I do business with now
through roundtables at SCI andthrough Entrecom, and you know
it's funny how things work.
(12:04):
I sat on a roundtable I washeading up a roundtable years
ago.
Somebody heading up anotherroundtable had a startup that
you know we got introducedbecause they needed IT as part
of it, and that was years andyears ago.
And now and of course we've gotseveral of them at EntreCon
because I gave them all ticketsthis year they're now one of our
(12:26):
largest customers.
So you know it goes full circle.
So, katie, share how leadershiptraining?
I want to talk more aboutleadership and training, because
that's what this is all about.
Right, yeah.
At Studer Community Institute.
How is it designed to impactboth individual growth and the
(12:46):
community at large.
We talked about the community.
Let's talk about individualgrowth, Mentors and mentees.
I mean I've been paired up withpeople there that have helped
me with different aspects of mybusiness over time.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Yeah, I mean, I think that's something that you know.
Kara was talking a little bitmore about the Venture Mentoring
Service program that's basedoff of MIT that we offer and
that's specifically for smallbusinesses and entrepreneurs to
get paired with a group ofmentors.
But I think, even on aone-on-one aspect, you know,
entrecon is a great place tomeet somebody that could
probably be a mentor, and I feellike, no matter what level of
(13:22):
leadership you're at, you couldbe brand new, you could be
really seasoned.
We all have something to learnand there's always something
that you can take away fromsomebody else.
So I think it's really powerfulhaving the opportunity to find
a mentor or, you know, if you'rein the VMS program, to be
matched up with a group ofmentors that can really help you
with certain areas that maybeyou recognize you need some
(13:43):
training in.
But then I think the great thingin my mind about mentorship is
somebody might bring somethingto light that you've never even
thought of, and it can be whattakes you to the next level.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
So that's good.
So what are some of the mostcommon challenges that local
leaders face, and how does SCIaddress those?
Speaker 2 (13:58):
Sure, I mean, I think one of the things, especially
with our venture mentoringservice and the small businesses
, financials are alwayssomething that are thought of.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
Hey, if I'm making more money than I'm spending.
It must be all right.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
Crack your financials .
Just know what you're workingwith.
Speaker 1 (14:15):
Yes, step one.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
But I think you know, on a more individual level,
regardless of what kind of jobyou're in, if you're in some
kind of leadership role, one ofthe things that comes up all the
time is having difficultconversations is one of the
things that I think individually.
Everybody wants some moreassistance with or Time
management.
Yep, that's a good one too.
Some of it's almost likethere's that idea of back to
(14:40):
basics, but some peopleespecially after COVID, the
conversation we've had severaltimes is a lot of people got
thrust into leadership roles andthere were no basics.
So you can't go back to basicsyou never had.
So establishing a foundation ofgood practices is also
something that we've seen in thepast couple of years to say
let's take a step back and giveyou those skills that you need
to really be successful.
Speaker 1 (15:00):
So it's funny when I think back to the first business
I started.
It was based on a hobby I hadof building gaming rigs, right,
and I got into business just totake my hobby and monetize it.
But I didn't know what I wasdoing.
I had no idea.
There was no SCI, I didn't haveany mentors, my family, they
(15:25):
were like, oh, he's going tofail.
He doesn't know, because Ireally didn't have any education
.
I really wasn't qualified torun a business.
So this is back in the 90s.
But when I started thatbusiness I landed a large
government contract and all of asudden I had hundreds of
thousands of dollars justrolling into this account and I
thought I was doing somethingillegal.
So I really, I was so hesitantto touch the money because I'm
(15:49):
like, oh, somebody's going towant this money.
But that's how I got started.
I just hustled.
I was a hustler and knocking ondoors and when I landed that
first deal.
But had I known more aboutfinancials in the beginning,
especially in that first stage,I think I wouldn't have made as
many mistakes as I did.
But I learned from thosemistakes and I learned.
(16:11):
Oh, I need to learn.
That's what I learned.
I need to learn.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
That's what I learned , I need to learn.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
So, kara, what do you see as the most valuable
qualities of a good mentor, andhow can new leaders find someone
who can truly help guide them?
This is a good one.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
Yes, this is a good one.
So I'll answer the second partfirst.
So we offer the venturementoring service at sci um and,
like katie said, we adopted itfrom mit.
So we pair you with three tofive mentors and they are in all
walks of life, um finances,attorneys, general, like
(16:51):
operations, um, yeah, cpas.
All the vast majority of themare.
They're everywhere and um, Ithink that would really help is
like to apply for that programto get with those mentors.
There are going to be peoplewho you normally wouldn't um be
able to like have a mentorshipthrough um, and they're
(17:13):
phenomenal.
We have over 50 mentors andthey're all amazing, but I think
the best quality for a mentor,honestly, is the willingness to
give of your time.
Yeah, really.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
That is hard, that's a huge one, and it's hard
because, we're all so, so busy.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
I mean I'm squeezing this in between meetings today
and.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
I'm sure you guys are too, and I actually headed up,
I had to step down from my roleas a mentor in there because I
did not have the time, andthat's big of you to realize
that I wish I wouldn't have,though you can always come back.
I'll be back, so don't worry.
But that's a big one for ourmentors and I'll be back, so
don't worry.
But that's a big one for ourmentors and they are all great
about giving of their time andwe honor them and we appreciate
(17:57):
them so much and understand that.
You know, like Tim, you know itgets busy and you guys take a
step back, but they're alwayswelcome back.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
So we've got about five or six more minutes left on
the show, so I'm going to ask acouple more questions before we
go into our rapid firequestions, which?
Are always the fun ones.
Katie, tell us about a mentorwho made a significant impact on
your career and how thatexperience shaped your approach
to leadership.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
Oh, that's a good one .
Speaker 1 (18:26):
Yeah, I love this question.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
You know, I think it's somebody currently who's
one of our board members, and Ithink a lot of people in our
community could say the same asBert Thornton.
Speaker 1 (18:36):
Oh yeah, I love Bert.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
That man can see the good in everyone the old gorilla
.
He sees what's inside you andhas the ability to pull it out.
Stepping into this executivedirector role was one that, if I
didn't have the opportunity tochat with him and talk with him
about it, maybe I would havebeen someplace else, but I think
(19:01):
, yeah, it was helpful to havehis support and to continue to
have his support, and our boardchair, kathy Sandstrom, is
another one of those people.
She's just dynamic and she'spatient and she is giving of her
time, so very much so, and justshe's the kind of person that
you know I could pick up thephone and call her and she's
she's busy.
She'll say I'll call you backin just a little bit.
(19:22):
She always has time, so that'sawesome.
And willing, willing to listento just about anything.
I have to say.
Speaker 1 (19:28):
You know I had the opportunity, opportunity to
introduce Bert at a lunch andlearn last year.
Speaker 3 (19:38):
And he's such a great dude, yeah, and he makes some
really good chili.
He does, right, he does.
I have his bobblehead, uh,bert's chili and I.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
Just he's so great so great, he was just so great to
talk to.
I got to hang out with his wifeand so sweet and and he was
just so thankful to meafterwards just for introducing
him he was like wow, that was agrand introduction.
I was like, well, you're agrand old gorilla, right?
So EntreCon's coming up.
(20:03):
How does EntreCon provideopportunities for attendees to
connect with mentors or tobecome mentors themselves?
I mean, what is the process?
Speaker 3 (20:14):
Yes, To becoming a mentor.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
Yeah, I mean with you guys.
I mean because you host theseright.
If anybody in the community isout there listening, what would
you say to them?
If they are a great leader orthink they're a great leader and
have something to offerstartups, other people in
different phases of theirbusiness, how can they get
involved with you guys?
Speaker 3 (20:36):
Yeah, eyes, yeah, um.
So my biggest one would be theventure mentoring service,
because, um, the goal for sci isto help anybody and everybody
that we can, um, and so we canonly help as many as mentors as
we get, so we can only help asmany businesses as mentors as
what we have um, so that wouldbe a big one.
And you can email the, the teamat um info at studerorg, and
(21:00):
just um say that you'reinterested in being a mentor.
How that works is, um, you havean I say loosely, an interview.
It's more of like a, a chat oflike you know why do you want to
become a mentor?
What's your background like?
And go from there, um, andthere's like an application, but
it's just more to get to knowyou better, um, and then we take
(21:21):
it from there and if it'ssomething that we feel like
would be a great fit for notonly us but for you, um, then
you start coming to ourbi-monthly mentor meetings and
you get to be paired withdifferent companies and it goes
off of what you're available.
So if you can only help onecompany right now, that is
totally fine.
That's one that didn't have itbefore, so there's some that can
(21:43):
handle four, but that's justbecause of the season that
they're in, so yeah, so, kara,what do you hope attendees at
EntreCon take away about theimportance of mentorship and
personal development in theircareer journey?
Speaker 1 (21:59):
So just to kind of follow up to what you're saying
about that, what can they takeaway?
What do you think they're goingto?
Are they going to leave firedup?
Speaker 3 (22:09):
Yes, so we hope at least.
But yeah, we really have set itup to where.
We listened to the feedbacklast year and, because you know,
we're big on surveys here atSEI.
So we listen to everyone'sfeedback and our goal is that
you walk away with tangibletakeaways, something that you
can take back to the office andbe like OK, we're going to
(22:30):
implement this.
Maybe it's now, maybe it's in,like you know, three months, but
we want things that they cantake back and go.
Ok, this is how I can grow inmy leadership.
Or I want to connect with TimShoup because I think he would
be a great mentor I'm trying togo into IT or whatever it is and
that they can walk away with ahandful of mentors.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
I went to the business school of hard knocks.
I learned everything I did byfailing at everything I did.
Always a lesson right, Always.
Speaker 2 (22:59):
Well and I think just to kind of piggyback on what
Kara was saying is I mean youindividually, and I know it
sounds cliche, like you're theowner of your destiny.
You need to go out, you need tobe proactive.
If you feel like a mentor wouldbe helpful and everybody, a
mentor is helpful go out andseek that out and talk to people
, because you're the one who'sgoing to make it happen.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
Don't look for happiness, create it.
Speaker 3 (23:22):
Yep, and that's what EntreCon is for is to go and
find those mentors, becausethere's going to be so many
people you never would havecrossed paths with had it not
been for EntreCon.
Speaker 1 (23:30):
Well, I so appreciate you guys dropping into the
studio today.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
Thanks for having us.
Speaker 1 (23:37):
And we're going to wrap up, like we generally do
with all of our sessions, withrapid fire questions.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
Don't look at my questions.
I know I'd like to see whatthey say.
She's over here preppingherself.
Speaker 1 (23:47):
She's cheating, so the rapid fire.
So answer with either one wordor one sentence.
Speaker 2 (23:52):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (23:53):
With each, and I've got about, I don't know, seven
or eight, nine questions here,so I'm going to give each of you
a chance to give your answer.
Okay, Ready, sure Set.
What's the best book?
Speaker 3 (24:07):
you've read recently To Kill a Spider.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
Oh, what's the one about difficult conversations?
What is it?
What is the name of it?
Oh, fierce Conversations, yes.
Speaker 1 (24:18):
All right.
Describe pensacola in one wordbeautiful growing.
What's your go-to coffee order?
I don't drink coffee, it's justa little bit of half and half
my daughter would do the samething, because every time we go
to the mall, she has to go tostarbucks.
Uh, what's a hidden gem inpensacola that more people need
to know about?
Speaker 3 (24:38):
Ooh, Four Seasons.
It's a restaurant so good.
They hire past felons and theygive them a chance.
Oh, that's awesome.
It's really good.
Speaker 2 (24:50):
They do have an excellent lunch there.
They do.
I don't know that it's a secret, but the gelato place La Monte
Got it.
La Monte, however you pronounceit.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
It's excellent favorite inspirational quote oh
jesus, oh jesus no, yeah, that'swhat I'm calling out right now.
Speaker 3 (25:07):
That's very inspirational.
I can't even think of one.
I can't.
And we do quotes every monday,right?
I can't think of one yeah, passmy head sorry don't look for
happiness.
Speaker 2 (25:19):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 3 (25:19):
There you go, what he just said, what you said, yep.
Speaker 1 (25:23):
Introvert or extrovert?
Speaker 2 (25:24):
Extrovert A little bit of both, yeah.
Speaker 3 (25:28):
I am too.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
I am too.
What's something people wouldbe surprised to learn about?
Each of you in one word or onesentence.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
How many tattoos I have.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
That one sentence.
How many tattoos I have that.
You almost killed me atentrecom.
Stop, I did not.
I wish I'm gonna have to learnmore about this story.
Uh, I, I don't.
I don't know.
I'm a avid runner and I used torow yep, that's a good one
awesome, awesome.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
What's one item you can't live without at work.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
A good pen.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
Oh, come on.
Speaker 2 (26:02):
That's for real, though I'm a very pen to paper
person.
I know I'm sorry.
I hate to say this to you.
I was going to say my fan.
Speaker 1 (26:09):
It should be technology we can't live without
Digital Boardwalk.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
Oh, there you go.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
My coworkers, there you go.
Speaker 3 (26:21):
Hey, when you have a problem, we call you tech?
Speaker 1 (26:22):
who do you call digital boardwalk?
You're the first people, sothink go ahead, you want to?
say yeah, excuse me, ourinternet's not working y'all are
on top of it I'd love to hearthat and I love to hear feedback
like that and we're like you.
We learned a lot from, from sciand from quint.
Uh, um, we round on our peopleconstantly, we round on our
customers constantly and we'rewe're constantly trying to keep
(26:45):
our finger, you know, on theheartbeat of digital boardwalk
to keep things turning androlling, uh, like every business
should.
So, thank you all for joiningme and getting nerdy for a short
session of nerds on tap.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
We appreciate you guys dropping in yeah, thanks
for letting us come by.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
Giving me my beautiful 10-year sponsorship
award for being part of EntreCon.
I know that when I wasapproached to be involved with
EntreCon and I heard there wasgoing to be an entrepreneurial
event right here in our own city, I was thrilled to get involved
.
I was like where do I sign up?
That fit, that just fit my mojo, yeah.
Speaker 3 (27:26):
We love it.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
So go to EntreCon.
We're going to be spinning outsome reels to show you what it's
all about, and you can.
Where can they learn more aboutSCI?
Speaker 2 (27:40):
It's studeraiorg, and specifically Entrecon.
You said it earlier,entreconpensacolacom.
Speaker 1 (27:45):
Exactly.
Thanks again, folks.
Kara, do you have any lastwords?
Speaker 3 (27:50):
I'm sorry for almost killing you last year.
I'm just kidding.
Speaker 1 (27:52):
Finally got an apology ladies and gentlemen,
Thanks again for getting nerdywith us.
Stay nerdy, join us for our nextsession coming soon and we look
forward to having you on theshow one day.
So come and see us and go toEntreCon.
Thanks.
Everyone Cheers my fellow nerdsand beer lovers.
Stay tuned for more Nerds onTap.
(28:15):
Oh, and one more thing Help usspread the nerdy love and the
love for grape brews by sharingthis podcast with your friends,
colleagues and fellow beerenthusiasts.
Let's build a community thatembraces curiosity, innovation
and the enjoyment of a cold one.
for an hour while we drink beer.
Today will not be a beerepisode.
We have some special guests inthe studio and they didn't know
they were going to be in thestudio.
They were dropping by to give mean award for being a sponsor a
10-year sponsor of EntreCon,entreconpensacolacom, which is
(00:34):
our community regionalentrepreneurial event, hosted by
Mr Quint Studer.
So in this Nerds on Tap episodewe're thrilled to welcome,
joining us are Katie Ballard,executive Director at Studer
Community Institute that hostsEntreCon, and Kara Dyke, program
(00:57):
Manager for SCI's Building JobsProgram.
So a little bit about Katie shemoved to Pensacola from
Indianapolis.
She combines her extensivebackground in philanthropy and
nonprofit management with acommitment to enriching her
community.
She's been with SCI since 2016,leading development initiatives
and, more recently, steeringthe organization's vision as
(01:20):
executive director.
As executive director, kara, aPensacola native, coordinates
SCI's leadership training,certifications and EntreCon
events.
Known for her organization andsupportive spirit, kara is
dedicated to making a positiveimpact in people's lives every
single day, except for that,time you almost killed me at
(01:41):
EntreCon.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Let's not talk about that, okay, please.
Thank you, see, I remember.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
With EntreCon just around the corner, we're going
to dive into the power ofleadership training, the impact
of mentorship and how theseelements help shape a thriving
business community.
So join us as we explore thevalue of continuous learning and
the role of mentors in guidingand inspiring tomorrow's leaders
.
So grab your drink of choicewe're not drinking today and
(02:04):
let's uncover the strategies tobuild leadership skills that
truly drive change.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
So, Katie and Kara, welcome to the show.
Thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
We're excited.
We're glad we popped in and youasked us to join.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
Yeah, and you had no idea you were going to be in the
studio today.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
So share a bit about your journey to joining Studer
Community Institute and whatdrew you to these fascinating
roles.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
You go first, sure Okay.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
So, as, tim, you mentioned, I moved here in 2016
from Indianapolis and, having abackground in philanthropy and
nonprofit work, when you arrivein Pensacola it's kind of hard
to miss that Studer name.
So I worked for a coupledifferent nonprofit
organizations in our communitybut ultimately was thinking to
myself, okay, if there'ssomebody here to work with in
(02:57):
town, it's going to be Quint andthe Studer family of companies.
So when an opportunity becameavailable to do some development
work with them, I jumped at it.
So I started with SCI, doingsome grant writing and some
fundraising and just kind of therole evolved from there and I
really believe in what we do andimproving the quality of life
in our community, especiallythrough Entrecron for our
(03:18):
business leaders.
And then we've got that brainsprogram too, working with the
young kids in that zero to threeage range, but I think there's
a lot of work that needs to bedone to equip our business
leaders and really enrich ourcommunity, and that's exactly
what's happening.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Yeah, yeah.
So, kara, how, being a hometownnative, I mean what drew you to
this and why Studer CommunityInstitute?
Why work with?
You know Pensacola leaders andPensacola startups, yeah, you
know, across the board.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
So I moved away, I think right before, like Quint
came to the area.
So I really didn't know anythingabout Quint until I came back
and I was like he does a lot forthe community and, coming back,
I have kids now.
So I'm like I want to make theplace, you know, a better place
to live, a and then also to work, because you know, um can't
(04:12):
have money and raise kidswithout a job.
So, um, but my role at SCI,like Katie's, has evolved and
what I started at was, um spring, helping the co-working space,
and then it evolved from there,and so when the role opened up
for what I do currently, Ijumped on it in a heartbeat
(04:34):
because I want to help peoplestay in Pensacola.
Yes, I left, but when I leftthere was not nearly what is
around currently, and Pensacolais such a great place to raise a
family, to open a business andlike how do we help those
businesses thrive and grow?
How do we come alongside ofthem?
(04:54):
And so that's really what myjob is to come alongside of them
and help them flourish and tomake their dreams come true, and
like that's what I love.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
You know, that seems to be a common theme among young
people that grew up here inPensacola.
They either go to school hereor they go away to school, but
they never came back becausethere weren't any opportunities.
I know when I moved here in 98,99 and started my first
business here in Pensacola,there was no Studer Community.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
Institute.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
There wasn't a lot of young people, you know, because
they were leaving.
They were leaving in droves.
So things like EntreCon, thingslike the opportunities at UWF
now and the opportunitiesthrough the community and the
jobs that we're creating here,especially in tech.
(05:42):
They're keeping young peoplehere.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Absolutely.
I think they're attractingpeople here as well that maybe
otherwise wouldn't have come.
So definitely keeping people,bringing people back and
attracting new people as well,yeah, and you can just see it.
I think, in my opinion, in theevolution of all the things that
are available to us here inPensacola the growth of downtown
and just lots of differentamenities, whether it's bars,
(06:04):
restaurants, things- to dofestivals all that kind of stuff
, lots of stuff, tons of growth,yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
In the late 90s, early 2000s you had like one bar
down to Seville was a staplealways here and you really
didn't have a lot of restaurantsdowntown, it was mostly
franchises and they were on thenorth side of town and they were
on the north side of town so Iwas reading the other day in my
feeds I mean all the developmentand the upcoming development
(06:29):
that's going to be happeninghere to connect the communities
or potentially I saw I think itwas the eight type items with
Civicon and what they're focusedon, and I don't know if you
guys want to talk about that atall or if you're dialed into
that part.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
So we work kind of alongside civicon and eduardo
over there who runs that piece,um, you know I just was at their
event last week with tomdahlberg.
He was here talking aboutbullying but uh, you know I know
that he's working closely withthe developments that are
happening, the cra developmentswith the city, um, and kind of
connecting communities acrossthe the general broader downtown
(07:04):
.
But he'd be a great person tohave on your show too.
Chat a little bit with Eduardo.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
He'd be great.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Maybe you can make a call.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
Yeah, oh, a thousand percent, I'd be happy to.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
So for both of you, what's a typical day in your
role at Studer CommunityInstitute?
I mean, you're here right now.
You didn't plan on still beinghere, but I kept you here, so
let's talk about that.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Yeah, I'll let you go first, okay.
I'll go first this time.
So there's no real typical day,unfortunately, but fortunately
as well, because that's whatmakes it fun is there's
something new and exciting everyday at SDI, whether it's a
business that came by andthey're like hey, how can you
help me to setting up meetingsfor the companies that we do
(07:46):
have in our programs?
Or right now we're gettingready for Entrecon next week.
So it's like you know, ouroffice looks like a bomb went
off because all of our boxes areeverywhere.
But it's something differentand it's fun every single day.
Like I said, there's not like,there's not a general like this
is how the day is going to go,um, we, there's not a general
like this is how the day isgoing to go, um we have a lot of
(08:07):
fun in the office.
Um, we're all really goodfriends, yeah, and so it makes
it um even more fun and excitingto go to work.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
But really helping small businesses are is my main
focus is to help them you know,earlier, was it, I think earlier
this year I actually workedwith you to try to get your
office space to film army video.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
Yeah, yeah, and it worked out great the opening
scene of our, our zombie video.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
yeah, get your office space to film our new video.
Yeah, yeah, and it worked outgreat.
The opening scene of our zombievideo is your office.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
And that just speaks to the fact that there's no
typical day in our office andgiven our location, there really
is no typical day.
Anybody can just kind of walkin there, and they do.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
We wanted a chicken in our video yes, and you were
like, oh, we can't have it.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Yeah, no chicken, no fire.
That was, that was the rules.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
So with entrecon right around the corner, share a
bit about what it's like toprepare for such a major event.
I'm sure it's an all-year thing, but I'll let you lead in on
that and and the impact you hopeit has on attendees yeah, um,
so it is a year-long planningthing.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
So last year at the end of Enchicon we already had
our dates for this year and itreally goes, jumps right into it
.
We gather our speakers rightaway, because without speakers
you don't have a conference, andthis year we have 31 speakers.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
I'm introducing Tiffany Pham.
Yes, I'm excited about that andshe's back for a second year.
Yes, she was in 2019.
Speaker 3 (09:27):
Um, but she's really, she's amazing.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Like dynamic person.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Um, but it's really head down focused.
Um, there's a little more leadway, obviously at the beginning
of the year, because you know wehave a whole year for it, but
as the closer we marketing forit, it's, it's, it's a lot Like
Kara said, kind of reaching outto speakers and then reaching
(09:55):
out to individuals like yourselfto sponsor, because without our
sponsors it's not none of thiswould happen, yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
And we're lucky to have a lot of really great
community partners too, soworking with the little theater
and with voices of Pensacola.
You know, internally to thefamily of companies, five, 11
for the breakout sessions.
And then you know we have a tonof volunteers uh, that
certainly can't happen withoutwithout them and without their
help, and, um, again, otherpartners in the community that
are going to provide some foodfor those volunteers.
(10:21):
So there's just a lot of a lotof moving pieces.
It is a whole year long process, but I think having the
opportunity to bring so manypeople together in one place to
hear from these great speakersis all worth absolutely every
little bit of it.
And that's you know.
I think you asked kind of whatare we hoping that people get
out of it?
And it's that it's anopportunity to engage with
(10:42):
others in the community andreally make some of those
connections.
We have a lot of local speakersand, like you said, tiffany,
she's not local, but she's goingto be wonderful.
Speaker 3 (10:52):
I've spoken a couple of times at Entrecôme.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Yeah, you have when I hit you.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
I don't think I did very well, because you never had
me back.
No, you did great, but I likethe way you guys drive the
breakouts into different venuesin downtown, so it's driving
traffic into local businesses.
It's promoting local businesses, which is the whole point of
all this right Exactly yeah,bringing everybody into downtown
, into local businesses.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
It's promoting local businesses which is the whole
point of all this, right, yeah,yeah, bringing everybody into
downtown.
I think we've got severalout-of-towners staying in hotels
and helping push kind of thattourism aspect of it too because
, that's the whole point ofEntreCon is for it to be this
high-caliber conference that youcan come to either locally or
from not too far away, and nothave to go to someplace like New
York or Chicago and pay forairfare and pay for hotel and
pay for food and all that kindof stuff.
(11:35):
You can get it right here intown, and then the extra benefit
of that is that you can makeconnections that can flourish
from there and really help yourbusiness.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
Well, I think outside of the net, the networking is
one of the biggest opportunities.
I think a lot of people see inthere because I have met a
considerable amount of peoplethat I do business with now
through roundtables at SCI andthrough Entrecom, and you know
it's funny how things work.
(12:04):
I sat on a roundtable I washeading up a roundtable years
ago.
Somebody heading up anotherroundtable had a startup that
you know we got introducedbecause they needed IT as part
of it, and that was years andyears ago.
And now and of course we've gotseveral of them at EntreCon
because I gave them all ticketsthis year they're now one of our
(12:26):
largest customers.
So you know it goes full circle.
So, katie, share how leadershiptraining?
I want to talk more aboutleadership and training, because
that's what this is all about.
Right, yeah.
At Studer Community Institute.
How is it designed to impactboth individual growth and the
(12:46):
community at large.
We talked about the community.
Let's talk about individualgrowth, Mentors and mentees.
I mean I've been paired up withpeople there that have helped
me with different aspects of mybusiness over time.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Yeah, I mean, I think that's something that you know.
Kara was talking a little bitmore about the Venture Mentoring
Service program that's basedoff of MIT that we offer and
that's specifically for smallbusinesses and entrepreneurs to
get paired with a group ofmentors.
But I think, even on aone-on-one aspect, you know,
entrecon is a great place tomeet somebody that could
probably be a mentor, and I feellike, no matter what level of
(13:22):
leadership you're at, you couldbe brand new, you could be
really seasoned.
We all have something to learnand there's always something
that you can take away fromsomebody else.
So I think it's really powerfulhaving the opportunity to find
a mentor or, you know, if you'rein the VMS program, to be
matched up with a group ofmentors that can really help you
with certain areas that maybeyou recognize you need some
(13:43):
training in.
But then I think the great thingin my mind about mentorship is
somebody might bring somethingto light that you've never even
thought of, and it can be whattakes you to the next level.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
So that's good.
So what are some of the mostcommon challenges that local
leaders face, and how does SCIaddress those?
Speaker 2 (13:58):
Sure, I mean, I think one of the things, especially
with our venture mentoringservice and the small businesses
, financials are alwayssomething that are thought of.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
Hey, if I'm making more money than I'm spending.
It must be all right.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
Crack your financials .
Just know what you're workingwith.
Speaker 1 (14:15):
Yes, step one.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
But I think you know, on a more individual level,
regardless of what kind of jobyou're in, if you're in some
kind of leadership role, one ofthe things that comes up all the
time is having difficultconversations is one of the
things that I think individually.
Everybody wants some moreassistance with or Time
management.
Yep, that's a good one too.
Some of it's almost likethere's that idea of back to
(14:40):
basics, but some peopleespecially after COVID, the
conversation we've had severaltimes is a lot of people got
thrust into leadership roles andthere were no basics.
So you can't go back to basicsyou never had.
So establishing a foundation ofgood practices is also
something that we've seen in thepast couple of years to say
let's take a step back and giveyou those skills that you need
to really be successful.
Speaker 1 (15:00):
So it's funny when I think back to the first business
I started.
It was based on a hobby I hadof building gaming rigs, right,
and I got into business just totake my hobby and monetize it.
But I didn't know what I wasdoing.
I had no idea.
There was no SCI, I didn't haveany mentors, my family, they
(15:25):
were like, oh, he's going tofail.
He doesn't know, because Ireally didn't have any education
.
I really wasn't qualified torun a business.
So this is back in the 90s.
But when I started thatbusiness I landed a large
government contract and all of asudden I had hundreds of
thousands of dollars justrolling into this account and I
thought I was doing somethingillegal.
So I really, I was so hesitantto touch the money because I'm
(15:49):
like, oh, somebody's going towant this money.
But that's how I got started.
I just hustled.
I was a hustler and knocking ondoors and when I landed that
first deal.
But had I known more aboutfinancials in the beginning,
especially in that first stage,I think I wouldn't have made as
many mistakes as I did.
But I learned from thosemistakes and I learned.
(16:11):
Oh, I need to learn.
That's what I learned.
I need to learn.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
That's what I learned , I need to learn.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
So, kara, what do you see as the most valuable
qualities of a good mentor, andhow can new leaders find someone
who can truly help guide them?
This is a good one.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
Yes, this is a good one.
So I'll answer the second partfirst.
So we offer the venturementoring service at sci um and,
like katie said, we adopted itfrom mit.
So we pair you with three tofive mentors and they are in all
walks of life, um finances,attorneys, general, like
(16:51):
operations, um, yeah, cpas.
All the vast majority of themare.
They're everywhere and um, Ithink that would really help is
like to apply for that programto get with those mentors.
There are going to be peoplewho you normally wouldn't um be
able to like have a mentorshipthrough um, and they're
(17:13):
phenomenal.
We have over 50 mentors andthey're all amazing, but I think
the best quality for a mentor,honestly, is the willingness to
give of your time.
Yeah, really.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
That is hard, that's a huge one, and it's hard
because, we're all so, so busy.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
I mean I'm squeezing this in between meetings today
and.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
I'm sure you guys are too, and I actually headed up,
I had to step down from my roleas a mentor in there because I
did not have the time, andthat's big of you to realize
that I wish I wouldn't have,though you can always come back.
I'll be back, so don't worry.
But that's a big one for ourmentors and I'll be back, so
don't worry.
But that's a big one for ourmentors and they are all great
about giving of their time andwe honor them and we appreciate
(17:57):
them so much and understand that.
You know, like Tim, you know itgets busy and you guys take a
step back, but they're alwayswelcome back.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
So we've got about five or six more minutes left on
the show, so I'm going to ask acouple more questions before we
go into our rapid firequestions, which?
Are always the fun ones.
Katie, tell us about a mentorwho made a significant impact on
your career and how thatexperience shaped your approach
to leadership.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
Oh, that's a good one .
Speaker 1 (18:26):
Yeah, I love this question.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
You know, I think it's somebody currently who's
one of our board members, and Ithink a lot of people in our
community could say the same asBert Thornton.
Speaker 1 (18:36):
Oh yeah, I love Bert.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
That man can see the good in everyone the old gorilla
.
He sees what's inside you andhas the ability to pull it out.
Stepping into this executivedirector role was one that, if I
didn't have the opportunity tochat with him and talk with him
about it, maybe I would havebeen someplace else, but I think
(19:01):
, yeah, it was helpful to havehis support and to continue to
have his support, and our boardchair, kathy Sandstrom, is
another one of those people.
She's just dynamic and she'spatient and she is giving of her
time, so very much so, and justshe's the kind of person that
you know I could pick up thephone and call her and she's
she's busy.
She'll say I'll call you backin just a little bit.
(19:22):
She always has time, so that'sawesome.
And willing, willing to listento just about anything.
I have to say.
Speaker 1 (19:28):
You know I had the opportunity, opportunity to
introduce Bert at a lunch andlearn last year.
Speaker 3 (19:38):
And he's such a great dude, yeah, and he makes some
really good chili.
He does, right, he does.
I have his bobblehead, uh,bert's chili and I.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
Just he's so great so great, he was just so great to
talk to.
I got to hang out with his wifeand so sweet and and he was
just so thankful to meafterwards just for introducing
him he was like wow, that was agrand introduction.
I was like, well, you're agrand old gorilla, right?
So EntreCon's coming up.
(20:03):
How does EntreCon provideopportunities for attendees to
connect with mentors or tobecome mentors themselves?
I mean, what is the process?
Speaker 3 (20:14):
Yes, To becoming a mentor.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
Yeah, I mean with you guys.
I mean because you host theseright.
If anybody in the community isout there listening, what would
you say to them?
If they are a great leader orthink they're a great leader and
have something to offerstartups, other people in
different phases of theirbusiness, how can they get
involved with you guys?
Speaker 3 (20:36):
Yeah, eyes, yeah, um.
So my biggest one would be theventure mentoring service,
because, um, the goal for sci isto help anybody and everybody
that we can, um, and so we canonly help as many as mentors as
we get, so we can only help asmany businesses as mentors as
what we have um, so that wouldbe a big one.
And you can email the, the teamat um info at studerorg, and
(21:00):
just um say that you'reinterested in being a mentor.
How that works is, um, you havean I say loosely, an interview.
It's more of like a, a chat oflike you know why do you want to
become a mentor?
What's your background like?
And go from there, um, andthere's like an application, but
it's just more to get to knowyou better, um, and then we take
(21:21):
it from there and if it'ssomething that we feel like
would be a great fit for notonly us but for you, um, then
you start coming to ourbi-monthly mentor meetings and
you get to be paired withdifferent companies and it goes
off of what you're available.
So if you can only help onecompany right now, that is
totally fine.
That's one that didn't have itbefore, so there's some that can
(21:43):
handle four, but that's justbecause of the season that
they're in, so yeah, so, kara,what do you hope attendees at
EntreCon take away about theimportance of mentorship and
personal development in theircareer journey?
Speaker 1 (21:59):
So just to kind of follow up to what you're saying
about that, what can they takeaway?
What do you think they're goingto?
Are they going to leave firedup?
Speaker 3 (22:09):
Yes, so we hope at least.
But yeah, we really have set itup to where.
We listened to the feedbacklast year and, because you know,
we're big on surveys here atSEI.
So we listen to everyone'sfeedback and our goal is that
you walk away with tangibletakeaways, something that you
can take back to the office andbe like OK, we're going to
(22:30):
implement this.
Maybe it's now, maybe it's in,like you know, three months, but
we want things that they cantake back and go.
Ok, this is how I can grow inmy leadership.
Or I want to connect with TimShoup because I think he would
be a great mentor I'm trying togo into IT or whatever it is and
that they can walk away with ahandful of mentors.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
I went to the business school of hard knocks.
I learned everything I did byfailing at everything I did.
Always a lesson right, Always.
Speaker 2 (22:59):
Well and I think just to kind of piggyback on what
Kara was saying is I mean youindividually, and I know it
sounds cliche, like you're theowner of your destiny.
You need to go out, you need tobe proactive.
If you feel like a mentor wouldbe helpful and everybody, a
mentor is helpful go out andseek that out and talk to people
, because you're the one who'sgoing to make it happen.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
Don't look for happiness, create it.
Speaker 3 (23:22):
Yep, and that's what EntreCon is for is to go and
find those mentors, becausethere's going to be so many
people you never would havecrossed paths with had it not
been for EntreCon.
Speaker 1 (23:30):
Well, I so appreciate you guys dropping into the
studio today.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
Thanks for having us.
Speaker 1 (23:37):
And we're going to wrap up, like we generally do
with all of our sessions, withrapid fire questions.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
Don't look at my questions.
I know I'd like to see whatthey say.
She's over here preppingherself.
Speaker 1 (23:47):
She's cheating, so the rapid fire.
So answer with either one wordor one sentence.
Speaker 2 (23:52):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (23:53):
With each, and I've got about, I don't know, seven
or eight, nine questions here,so I'm going to give each of you
a chance to give your answer.
Okay, Ready, sure Set.
What's the best book?
Speaker 3 (24:07):
you've read recently To Kill a Spider.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
Oh, what's the one about difficult conversations?
What is it?
What is the name of it?
Oh, fierce Conversations, yes.
Speaker 1 (24:18):
All right.
Describe pensacola in one wordbeautiful growing.
What's your go-to coffee order?
I don't drink coffee, it's justa little bit of half and half
my daughter would do the samething, because every time we go
to the mall, she has to go tostarbucks.
Uh, what's a hidden gem inpensacola that more people need
to know about?
Speaker 3 (24:38):
Ooh, Four Seasons.
It's a restaurant so good.
They hire past felons and theygive them a chance.
Oh, that's awesome.
It's really good.
Speaker 2 (24:50):
They do have an excellent lunch there.
They do.
I don't know that it's a secret, but the gelato place La Monte
Got it.
La Monte, however you pronounceit.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
It's excellent favorite inspirational quote oh
jesus, oh jesus no, yeah, that'swhat I'm calling out right now.
Speaker 3 (25:07):
That's very inspirational.
I can't even think of one.
I can't.
And we do quotes every monday,right?
I can't think of one yeah, passmy head sorry don't look for
happiness.
Speaker 2 (25:19):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 3 (25:19):
There you go, what he just said, what you said, yep.
Speaker 1 (25:23):
Introvert or extrovert?
Speaker 2 (25:24):
Extrovert A little bit of both, yeah.
Speaker 3 (25:28):
I am too.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
I am too.
What's something people wouldbe surprised to learn about?
Each of you in one word or onesentence.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
How many tattoos I have.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
That one sentence.
How many tattoos I have that.
You almost killed me atentrecom.
Stop, I did not.
I wish I'm gonna have to learnmore about this story.
Uh, I, I don't.
I don't know.
I'm a avid runner and I used torow yep, that's a good one
awesome, awesome.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
What's one item you can't live without at work.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
A good pen.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
Oh, come on.
Speaker 2 (26:02):
That's for real, though I'm a very pen to paper
person.
I know I'm sorry.
I hate to say this to you.
I was going to say my fan.
Speaker 1 (26:09):
It should be technology we can't live without
Digital Boardwalk.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
Oh, there you go.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
My coworkers, there you go.
Speaker 3 (26:21):
Hey, when you have a problem, we call you tech?
Speaker 1 (26:22):
who do you call digital boardwalk?
You're the first people, sothink go ahead, you want to?
say yeah, excuse me, ourinternet's not working y'all are
on top of it I'd love to hearthat and I love to hear feedback
like that and we're like you.
We learned a lot from, from sciand from quint.
Uh, um, we round on our peopleconstantly, we round on our
customers constantly and we'rewe're constantly trying to keep
(26:45):
our finger, you know, on theheartbeat of digital boardwalk
to keep things turning androlling, uh, like every business
should.
So, thank you all for joiningme and getting nerdy for a short
session of nerds on tap.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
We appreciate you guys dropping in yeah, thanks
for letting us come by.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
Giving me my beautiful 10-year sponsorship
award for being part of EntreCon.
I know that when I wasapproached to be involved with
EntreCon and I heard there wasgoing to be an entrepreneurial
event right here in our own city, I was thrilled to get involved
.
I was like where do I sign up?
That fit, that just fit my mojo, yeah.
Speaker 3 (27:26):
We love it.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
So go to EntreCon.
We're going to be spinning outsome reels to show you what it's
all about, and you can.
Where can they learn more aboutSCI?
Speaker 2 (27:40):
It's studeraiorg, and specifically Entrecon.
You said it earlier,entreconpensacolacom.
Speaker 1 (27:45):
Exactly.
Thanks again, folks.
Kara, do you have any lastwords?
Speaker 3 (27:50):
I'm sorry for almost killing you last year.
I'm just kidding.
Speaker 1 (27:52):
Finally got an apology ladies and gentlemen,
Thanks again for getting nerdywith us.
Stay nerdy, join us for our nextsession coming soon and we look
forward to having you on theshow one day.
So come and see us and go toEntreCon.
Thanks.
Everyone Cheers my fellow nerdsand beer lovers.
Stay tuned for more Nerds onTap.
(28:15):
Oh, and one more thing Help usspread the nerdy love and the
love for grape brews by sharingthis podcast with your friends,
colleagues and fellow beerenthusiasts.
Let's build a community thatembraces curiosity, innovation
and the enjoyment of a cold one.
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