Leadership can have many different forms, but how do you know which one is right for you or your business? In episode 12 of the Next Matters Most Podcast, Walter Pinson, President of Smashing Boxes, talks with Nick Jordan about how he learned how to lead himself and his various teams through personal and business obstacles. Walter has a fair share …

In the first episode of season two of the Next Matters Most Podcast, we are talking with Ryan Kraudel, VP of technology at Valencell, an inventor and maker of wearable and hearable biometric sensor technology that can monitor and measure key vitals in the body such as blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and more. These readings and more can he…

Will Barfield, is a seasoned builder of sales teams and is currently the founder and principal of Barfield Revenue Consulting which helps companies of all sizes identify talent, build teams, and scale the revenue side of their companies. In this episode we discuss our local ecosystem and what we are best at as it relates to scaling sales organizati…

Gavin Jocius is an experienced ecommerce operator building brands, recently CanvasonDemand into an 80M juggernaut which exited in 2019. Currently, Gavin is forging his own path into entrepreneurship through his search fund, Riverside Ventures. In this episode we will talk about ETA, entrepreneurship through acquisition, as well as trends in digital…

Daniel Scagnelli is a driven, results-oriented, customer-focused technology professional with diverse industry experience, strong business acumen, and an unbridled passion for building strong partner relationships and customer loyalty. Daniel has been a leader/executive in the startup technology scene for the past several years with a professional …

Tom Snyder is a senior-level manager with substantial experience building and leading global teams, technology development, product design, and introduction. He and his team have a proven innovation skillset with over 25 US patents issued. Currently the Executive Director at RIoT, he has a highly developed skillset for budget and schedule managemen…

Whitney Marston Pierce has two decades of creative/marketing consulting experience. Originally advised established companies in connecting with a younger generation. Since then, she has continued to connect brand and audience through multiple industries. As CMO for startups spanning finance to art, fashion to music, and tech to medical devices, she…

Brandon King is a football star turned programmer and entrepreneur. While in the NFL, Brandon learned many lessons about staying focused, being one with your team, and understanding the opposite team. These teachings allowed him to go on to successfully launch his own startup based around music concert experiences. Although Brandon helped bring all…

We’d like to give a warm welcome to Maria Kingery! Maria co-founded Southern Energy Management with her husband in 2001. Since then, she has helped pioneer the residential energy efficiency and solar industries in North Carolina and beyond. Being deeply committed to sustainable business practices, Maria believes businesses have the greatest power t…

What's holding you back from moving forward with the ideas swirling around your head? Venus Liles loves new ideas, whether thinking of them for herself or supporting those of other entrepreneurs. Venus has many passions, including law, entrepreneurship, and tech. Over the years, Venus is an active member of the Senior Legal Counsel for SAS Institut…

Anna Shuford is an innovative, business professional with experience in campaign development, strategic partnerships, and content creation. Anna is currently enrolled in UNC Kenan Flagler's MBA program, Class of 2022. At UNC, she’s pursuing a concentration in marketing and enrichments in entrepreneurship and technology and innovation management. Al…

Anna Shuford is an innovative, business professional with experience in campaign development, strategic partnerships, and content creation. Anna is currently enrolled in UNC Kenan Flagler's MBA program, Class of 2022. At UNC, she’s pursuing a concentration in marketing and enrichments in entrepreneurship and technology and innovation management. Al…

Madilynn A. Beck is a former actor and entertainment industry executive turned psychotherapist, entrepreneur, and podcast host. One of her current startups is Better Spot, which you can think of as We Work for wellness and wellbeing professionals.Founded four years ago, the company helps to set up and serve their retail clientele and run their prac…

Brett Danforth is the co-managing director of NC State University's Wolfpack Investor Network, an angel network currently comprised of 150 NC State-affiliated angel investors that have deployed over $10 million into NC State-affiliated early stage companies over the last two and a half years. Prior to joining WIN, Brett was a Venture Banker at Squa…

From India, to Dubai, to Durham NC. A truly world-class citizen, business owner, and architect, Vandana Dake and Nick Jordan sit down to discuss her career journey, her passion for helping empower and inspire women in developing nations, and finding your why. Vandana provides a broad range of experience in design and construction — both locally and…

In this conversation, Eric Porper, Nick Jordan, and Rachel Walter delve into the complexities of chronic pain, exploring its psychological roots and the mind-body connection. They discuss personal experiences with pain management and healing, emphasizing the importance of emotional well-being in physical health. The dialogue transitions into health…

In this conversation, Nick and Eric outline their ambitious plan to establish a $1 billion venture studio in the Raleigh-Durham area with Unboxed Venture Studio. They delve into the motivations driving their goal, such as the need for more successful startups and lucrative exits in the region. Their vision for the venture studio involves channeling…

Sumit Vohra is a passionate entrepreneur and founder of Lonerider Brewing & Distillery Owner, known for creating a distinctive brand identity within the craft beer community. In this episode, he shares insights on the enduring enthusiasm required to run a successful business, drawing inspiration from legendary figures in the industry like Jim Cook.…

In this episode, Pardees shares insights on the evolving landscape of remote work and ecosystem development. With a focus on fostering strategic partnerships and effective leadership, Pardees discusses the importance of finding the right approach to contribute positively within both local and global markets. The conversation emphasizes taking inten…

Jenn Summe is a startup enthusiast who excels at connecting people and scaling ideas and businesses. At Primordial, she invests in early-stage tech startups within the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area of NC. Jenn is a well-known figure in the Triangle, with a robust background in entrepreneurship and marketing. She currently collaborates with Joe Co…

The Durham Art Guild (DAG), a nonprofit visual arts organization established in 1948, has been a cornerstone of the community for 75 years. Dedicated to supporting artists and the arts, DAG's mission is to enrich and unite Durham's communities by creating opportunities and providing leadership for both current and future visual artists and art enth…

Rich Belsky is a seasoned executive, entrepreneur, investor, and coach who excels in navigating complex strategic landscapes. With a unique blend of entrepreneurial, legal, and mentoring experience, he has a particular affinity for M&A, product ownership, corporate development, and venture portfolio support. Rich has a proven track record as a comp…

Tobi is a venture capitalist for Cofounders Capital, a Triangle-based VC that invests in B2B SaaS companies in early stages. Prior to Cofounders, Tobi was a cofounder of Shoeboxed, a SaaS fintech startup that empowered business owners to manage receipts, invoices and automated bookkeeping. He later moved to the Triangle to co-found Shoeboxed, a Saa…

In this episode, Nick and Eric talk all venture studios, venture development, venture building, venture capital, and more. Settle in and get ready for an in depth discussion on all things venture!By Unboxed Studio

In this episode of The Unboxed Show, Nick and Eric sit down with the Director of Primordial, Jenn Summe. Jenn describes herself as a startup junkie that loves to connect people and bring ideas and businesses to scale. Primordial is an early stage venture fund that invests in startups in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area of NC.…

In this episode of The Unboxed Show, Nick and Eric sit down with Will McGuire, founder and CEO of Incolo. Since 2019, Incolo has helped 30+ founders grow their startups with those who believe in their vision. $10M+ has been raised by the founders who pursued investment with 55%+ coming from the crowd propelling their growth. Collectively, the found…

In this episode of The Unboxed Show, Nick Jordan and Eric Porper sit down with Tom Simon, an entrepreneur with nearly a decade of experience in the tech industry. In a preview of the upcoming special edition of The Unboxed Show, "Things Guys Measure", they unpack why venture capital deployed to our area saw a 70% decline from 2022 to 2023 and what …

In this episode of The Unboxed Show, Nick Jordan and Eric Porper sit down with Carlos O'Briant, the visionary artist, entrepreneur, and CEO of Family Bizness, hailing from Durham, North Carolina. In this enlightening conversation, Carlos shares his transformative journey from navigating the challenges of the entertainment industry to founding Ambia…