The Tale of Two Program Managers

On The Fly!

In this lively episode of On The Fly!, Donna Zaring sits down with two passionate builders shaping the next generation of social entrepreneurship: Josie Dalton, the originator of Flywheel’s accelerator programming and now at the UC Center for Entrepreneurship, and Samuel Baker, current Program Director at Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub.

Together, they reflect on what it takes to support founders who are building with both purpose and grit. From unlocking capital in an underserved middle space to showing up emotionally for dreamers with world-changing ideas, Josie and Samuel share the backstage realities of running programs that turn community-minded entrepreneurs into impact-driven leaders.

Listen to hear more about:

• The evolution of Flywheel’s cohort model and the early days of social enterprise in Cincinnati
• The unique funding challenges social entrepreneurs face, and how Flywheel is bridging the gap
• How mission-driven founders are reshaping what entrepreneurship looks like and why “crazy passion” is a feature, not a bug
• Why emotional intelligence, not just business acumen, is a critical ingredient in supporting entrepreneurs
• PLUS some unexpected real-life behind-the-scenes moments

Whether you're a founder, mentor, or future coach, this episode offers a powerful reminder: creating change is messy, personal, and totally worth it.

At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we believe in coaching the whole entrepreneur—not just the business plan. Our programs give social impact founders the structure, community, and belief they need to scale good ideas into real results. Learn how you can get involved, support our work, or become part of a cohort at flywheelcincinnati.org.