Growth Pioneers

On this special episode of the Growth Pioneers Doug joins host Mary Meyer of the Health Happy Wise and Wealthy podcast to discuss Reno Startup Week 2025.Mary Meyer brings together an inspiring panel of Reno's entrepreneurship leaders—including Doug Erwin, Candi Block, Monica Terrero, Daniel Smith, Melissa Saavedra, and Allison Greene—to give you an insider’s look at Reno Startup Week. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a seasoned entrepreneur, or just startup-curious, this episode unpacks how a free, week-long event can help launch, grow, and nourish local small businesses and innovation, and why removing cost barriers for entrepreneurs is so vital. Get ready for takeaways on networking, pitch competitions, government support, community organizations, wellness initiatives, and much more, straight from the passionate volunteers and ecosystem builders making it happen. Topics Covered: -What is Reno Startup Week and who is it for? -The power of keeping entrepreneurial resources free -How government and nonprofits collaborate to support founders -Pitch competition: structure, prizes, and founder stories -Breakout sessions on funding, scale, tech, retail, and AI -Resource fairs for the Latino community and all small businesses -Health & wellness activities for founders (meditation, yoga, more) -Networking and making real connections in Reno’s startup scene -Closing celebrations and the role of arts, music, and fun. Key Takeaways: -Reno Startup Week is intentionally free, maximizing accessibility for all—regardless of financial means or background. -Startup resources and networking should be open to the full spectrum of entrepreneurs, from tech innovators to brick-and-mortar business owners, across all demographics. -Government collaboration (via Nevada’s Governor’s Office of Economic Development) is critical for removing barriers, providing resources, and making real, systemic change for small businesses. -Pitch competitions and resource fairs empower founders to share ideas, gain exposure, and tap into vital networks. -Wellness and personal growth are just as important for entrepreneurial success as strategic know-how. -Networking is built into every layer of the week, from casual coffee to structured sessions and inclusive celebrations. -AI and current tech trends are not just for “techies”—established local businesses will find actionable tools and education. -Reno Startup Week is a living example of how community, public support, and open access create fertile ground for entrepreneurship.

On this episode of the podcast Doug speaks with Joe Chauklin the founder of Freedom Air. Freedom Air is a new charter air service in Reno operating multiple turbo prop aircraft and executive helicopters. They discuss the origin of Freedom Air, the need it fills in our community and the intricacies of running a charter service. Special thanks to Joe and team for hosting Reno Startup Week's Poker Tournament fundraiser in August.

On this episode Doug speaks with Mitesh Agrawal the CEO of Positron.ai. Positron is advancing the world of AI hardware right here in the Biggest Little City, with their first product that provides 3X the performance of NVIDA at a lower cost. They discuss the changing landscape of AI, the importance of purpose built hardware and Positrons unique value. They discuss the Positron team, their investors and their success to date as well as dive in the future for them in our region.

On this episode of the podcast Doug speaks with Jon Dalton, President of the Nevada Coalition for Psychedelic Medicine. JD, a former Navy SEAL of 23 years, shares his personal story of overcoming debilitating depression and anxiety because of multiple traumatic brain injuries and combat related trauma. They discuss the current state of Veterans mental health, suicide rates and treatment modalities. They explore the promise of psychedelic medicine in addressing mental health challenges facing Veterans and the barriers to access. They deep dive into NCPMs role in changing policy in Nevada and outline a legislative framework for providing access regulated legal access.

On this episode of the Growth Pioneers, Doug speaks with Sean Montgomery. Sean has a PhD in Neuroscience, is an immersive experience artist, and the founder of a medical wearables company. They talk about Sean's journey to Reno and dive deep into his current product which detects minor cognitive decline. They also have a wide ranging conversation about the future of wearables as it relates to consciousness, subtle energy, meditation and human flourishing.

In this episode of The Growth Pioneers Podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome David Ezell, a brand strategist at Meta and host of the podcast How to Ride a Roller Coaster. David shares his journey as a recent transplant from Dallas to Reno, bringing a unique perspective on ecosystem building in both cities. Together, we dive into his experiences interviewing entrepreneurs, his insights into the dynamics of Reno and Dallas, and the future of entrepreneurial growth here in Reno. David's dynamic personality and passion for the entrepreneurial mindset make this conversation both engaging and inspiring. Join us as we explore the nuances of building supportive communities for entrepreneurs and the exciting possibilities for Reno's future.

In this episode of the Growth Pioneers, Doug speaks with Candi and Juston from the EDAWN entrepreneurial team. They discuss the why behind Startup Week, its impact on the community and some key insights and highlights from this years event. They also discuss the Reno Startup Deck 4.0, the importance of core values in community building, their personal motivations for doing this work and new events and programs for the ecosystem for the rest of 2024 and into 2025.

On this episode of Growth Pioneers, Doug speaks with Rachel Macintyre, the City of Reno Activation Manager, to explore the transformative power of revitalizing urban spaces. Rachel shares her journey as a serial entrepreneur, detailing the highs and lows of her career and how she has channeled her passion for creation into projects that breathe new life into downtown Reno. From activating underutilized spaces to fostering a vibrant community, Rachel’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of positive change. Tune in to discover how entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for urban renewal and community empowerment

On this episode of the podcast Doug speaks with Tyson Falk the Government and Public Affairs manager of Ioneer. Ioneer is a mining company that has discovered a unique deposit of Lithium and Boron in Nevada. They discuss the local, regional and global significance of Lithium, Ioneers unique value proposition and the exciting prospect the project has on Nevadas Economy.

On this episode of the Growth Pioneers, Doug speaks with Jennifer Mcdonald who is The Assistant Director of Activism Special Projects from the Institute for Justice (IJ). The IJ is a national nonprofit law firm dedicated to protecting individuals' rights against government violations. Jennifer Mcdonald started her career in California politics before transitioning into evidence-based policymaking, earning an MPA along the way. Jennifer joined IJ, where she spent seven years on the research team, focusing on issues like food trucks and home-based businesses. At IJ, she now works on the activism team, engaging in legislative and policy work at various government levels. IJ's mission includes safeguarding property rights, eminent domain, First Amendment rights, and economic liberty. They believe everyone has the right to earn an honest living doing what they love, without unnecessary government barriers like restrictive occupational licensing laws and high fees. Tune in to learn about the impactful work IJ does to support entrepreneurs, and their commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem. For one of Reno Startup Week’s engaging discussions, the institute for justice will be hosting an interactive discussion session.

On this episode of the podcast Doug speaks with Matt Nordby the Founder and Managing Partner of Flume Ventures based in Incline Village. Matt is an amazing human with a really interesting career path. He was an young executive at Sun Microsystems, went on to start a company, which was later sold, then became the President of Playboy Enterprises , and is now currently in the role of managing partner at Flume. Flume is a non traditional venture fund with some really impressive partners including Scott McNealy from Sun and Dave Duffield from PeopleSoft and Workday. They have a unique thesis and are committed to supporting Nevada's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

On this special episode of the podcast Doug speaks with his colleagues Juston Berg and Katie Freeman about Reno Startup Week. They discuss the rationale for Startup Week, the importance for the startup community and its value alignment with EDAWNs mission. They dive deep into the events, people and activities that are making Reno Startup Week a unique inaugural event. Sept 25-29 RenoStartupWeek.com

On this episode of the podcast Doug speaks with Denis Phares the Founder and CEO of Dragonfly Energy. Dragonfly is one of Reno's Startup success stories, having started a decade ago and recently going public. They have a wide ranging conversation on the technology, the business and the personal side of the Dragonfly story. They also discuss energy storage and Nevadas Lithium Loop.

On this episode Doug speaks with his good friend Tony Lillios. Tony is a serial entrepreneur, endurance athlete , integral coach and president of the Reno/ Tahoe EO Chapter. They go deep into leadership development topics including what is enough, overcoming resistance, living well and much more.

On this episode of the podcast Doug speaks with Mo Collins the CEO of Entrepreneurial communities. They discuss the recent Nevada entrepreneurial ecosystem report going deep into the challenges, opportunities and recommendations outlined for Reno, Las Vegas and Rural Nevada.

On this special episode of the podcast, Doug speaks with his dear friend and coach Robert Ellis about his new book Coaching From Essence. They discuss Roberts personal journey, how it informed his philosophy, coaching methodology and led to his first book.

On this episode of the podcast Doug speakers with Kate Cotter, the executive director of the Sierra Psychedelic Society and the Nevada Colition for Psychedelic Medicine. The discuss a wide range of topics exploring the potential of psychedelic medicines for healing, the role of her organizations in eduction and advocacy and much more.

On this episode of the podcast , Doug speaks with the CEO of Mental, Anson Whitmer. Mental's goal is to improve mens mental health using proven tools and daily practices which are easy to integrate into daily life. They have an in-depth conversation on the factors effecting mens mental health and the tools and philosophy Mental employs to address these them.

On this episode Doug speakers with Eaton Dunkelberger the CEO of the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada. They cover a wide range of topics on philanthropic giving, structures, strategies and the important roll the foundation plays in transforming communities.

In this episode of the podcast Doug speaker with Edward Park the founder and CEO of Neuro Reserve, a neuro protective supplement company. Ed's passion for tackling cognitive decline comes from a deeply personal place. They discuss a broad set of topics around brain health, diet and the role of supplements in this informative and moving conversation.