How I Started: Lessons from Entrepreneurs to the Next Generation

How Jeff Harmon Started and Grew Angel Through Entrepreneurship, Mentorship, and Solving Pain

Every entrepreneur has a starting point, and sometimes it begins with something as simple as a paper bag of potatoes. In this episode of How I Started, host Connor Boyack sits down with Jeff Harmon, Co-founder of Harmon Brothers and Chief Content Officer at the Angel Studio, to explore how a small childhood business eventually led to the creation of Angel. Jeff shares how he started selling potatoes at age eleven to pay for school tuition, what those early experiences taught him about solving problems, of mentorship, how founders learn through mistakes and pivots, and why noticing problems others ignore can open unexpected opportunities. Things You Will Learn 1. How Jeff Harmon’s first small business became the beginning of a lifelong path in entrepreneurship 2. Why noticing everyday problems can help entrepreneurs find opportunities to start a business 3. How mentorship, persistence, and experimentation shape founder journeys Tools & Frameworks Covered 1. Pain as a signal for opportunity: how problems often reveal the next business idea 2. Testing small ideas quickly: learning what works before scaling a business 3. Runway in entrepreneurship: balancing early work or side hustles while building something bigger #Entrepreneurship #FounderJourneys #YouthEntrepreneurship #Mentorship #StartABusiness

How to Build Connections to Grow Your Business: Tyler’s Rocks and Gems

Tyler Grant has always loved cool rocks, he’s been collecting them since he was just 5 years old. When he discovered Kids Markets, he realized his hobby could turn into a profitable business. But to make sales and make money, he needed to be able to grow his inventory at wholesale price. Tyler walks us through how he was able to build connections and offers advice to anyone looking to do the same. Guest Links: https://www.instagram.com/tylers_rocks_and_gems/ Key topics: * Building a network * Building connections * Personal growth * Starting a business at any age * The importance of treating people with respect #Kidownedbusiness #YoungEntrepreneur #RocksandGems

What Robert Irvine Learned After Starting His First Business at 31

Some of the most valuable business lessons don’t come from success but from the companies that don’t survive. In this episode of How I Started, Connor Boyack sits down with chef, entrepreneur, and business builder Robert Irvine, who shares how a love for home economics and understanding unit costs became the foundation for his first companies. Robert walks through his early seasoning business, the lessons learned from failure, why knowing your numbers matters more than motivation, and how discipline, mentorship, and product differentiation shape long-term success. Listeners will learn how entrepreneurial thinking applies far beyond startups, and why progress, not perfection, is what truly compounds over time. Things You Will Learn * How understanding costs early can prevent common founder mistakes * Why product differentiation matters more than passion alone * How entrepreneurial thinking applies beyond running your own business Tools & Frameworks Covered * Unit Cost Analysis – helps founders price products sustainably * Market Differentiation Thinking – clarifies why your product exists * Early Market Testing (Fairs & Pop-Ups) – validates demand before scaling #Entrepreneurship #FounderJourney #BusinessLessons #StartupMindset #HowIStarted

How Completely Changing Her Product Saved Her Business: The Bead Borough

However, it soon became apparent she needed to make a significant change in order to continue to grow her business. Sawyer shares the stories of her very first sales and how she learned a whole new skill for the sake of her business, The Bead Borough. Guest Links: * https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091766717247 * https://www.instagram.com/p/DX4zQr_iefc/ Key topics: 1. Youth entrepreneurship 2. Crochet business 3. Learning new skills 4. Making the first sale #BeadBorough #YouthEntrepreneur #CrochetBusiness #MarketVendor

How Christina Tosi Started and Grew Milk Bar

Building something meaningful often begins with a small win, a lot of doubt, and the decision to keep going anyway. In this episode, Connor Boyack sits down with Christina Tosi, founder of Milk Bar and bestselling cookbook author, to talk honestly about how her love for baking slowly turned into a real business. Christina shares the early moments that shaped her confidence, the lessons she learned working for others before betting on herself, and the hard decisions that helped Milk Bar stand out in an industry crowded with look-alikes. This conversation is a reminder that success isn’t about following a perfect path, it’s about paying attention, adjusting when things don’t work, and staying true to what makes your idea worth building. Things You Will Learn * How to differentiate in a crowded market without reinventing the category * Why early validation and competition can shape long-term entrepreneurial thinking * How goal setting creates clarity while still leaving room for flexibility Tools & Frameworks Covered * White Space Thinking – Helps founders adapt strategy without abandoning the vision * Goal-Post Method – Turning long-term dreams into achievable short-term targets * Differentiation Framework – Creating value in industries filled with similar products #FounderJourney #EntrepreneurMindset #StartupStories #CreativeEntrepreneur #HowIStarted