Chris Koerner on Starting a Business, Testing Ideas, and Growing Through Action

Chris Koerner on Starting a Business, Testing Ideas, and Growing Through Action

A small start can shape an entire founder journey, and this episode shows exactly how that happens. In this episode of How I Started, host Connor Boyack sits down with Chris Koerner to explore how entrepreneurship often begins with curiosity, quick action, and a willingness to test simple ideas before feeling fully ready. Chris shares how he started a business as a kid, how that mindset stayed with him over time, and how he learned to grow a business by moving fast, noticing overlooked opportunities, and learning from mistakes. The conversation also explores startup pivots, practical takeaways, and why youth entrepreneurship matters in a world where adaptability, mentorship, and action can change a trajectory. Things You Will Learn 1. How to start a business by acting on opportunities that others ignore 2. Why choosing the right type of business matters for long-term success 3. How testing ideas quickly can help founders learn and adapt faster 4. The mindset that helps founders act on opportunities early 5. How to recognize which business models fit your strengths and which do not Tools & Frameworks Covered 1. Bias for action: helps you move from idea to execution without waiting too long 2. Surface area: helps you create more chances to learn by testing more ideas 3. Parkinson’s Law: helps you increase output by tightening the space available for tasks #Entrepreneurship #FounderJourneys #YouthEntrepreneurship #StartABusiness #GrowABusiness

Connecting People and Finding Passion in Your Work: Kinsley’s Kreations

Kinsley has packed a lot of passion into her business. After realizing there was a need for heartfelt greeting cards, she built a business around the idea of connecting people through real moments, not just a text from your phone. Kinsley has built an incredible community at the Kids Markets, and has many lessons to share. In this episode, she shares her love for her business, advice she has received and given, and how to is expanding her business. Guest Links: https://kinsleyayn.com/ Key topics: * Diversifying product offerings can attract a broader customer base. * Enjoying your work is essential for long-term success and fulfillment. * Building connections with others can enhance your business journey. #GreetingCardBusiness #YouthEntrepreneur #HandmadeProducts #SmallBusiness #OrlandoSmallBusiness #HandmadeArt

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