From Paper Routes to Tech Investor: How Manny Medina Built His Success

From Paper Routes to Tech Investor: How Manny Medina Built His Success

Manny arrived in the United States at 13 years old with no money, no English, and no clear path. What he did have was a willingness to work, pay attention, and take responsibility for his own progress. In this episode of How I Started, Manny Medina, Cuban American entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Medina Capital, shares how early lessons delivering newspapers at 4:30 a.m. shaped the mindset that later helped him build and scale major businesses, adapt across industries, and invest in the next generation of innovators. This conversation is a reminder that progress often starts quietly, through consistent effort and personal responsibility, and that building something meaningful is possible even when you begin far behind. Things You Will Learn 1. How early curiosity and persistence can turn small hustles into big business success. 2. Why adaptability and learning from mistakes is key to thriving in changing markets. 3. How embracing emerging technologies, like AI, opens new opportunities for young entrepreneurs. Tools & Frameworks Covered 1. Curiosity-Driven Learning – Teaches how to leverage observation and questioning for opportunities. 2. Adaptability & Pivoting – Helps navigate changing industries and unexpected challenges. 3. Value Creation Mindset – Shows how to turn small efforts into meaningful results for others and yourself. #Entrepreneurship #CuriositySuccess #Adaptability #MedinaLessons #HowIStartedPodcast

This 100% Self-Made Teen CEO Reads His Customers Perfectly: Panda Prints by Peter

In this inspiring interview, 14-year-old entrepreneur Peter Lawton shares his journey from lawn mowing to running a successful 3D printing business called Panda Prints by Peter. Peter has been an entrepreneur since he was just nine years old. He’s tried different products, different marketing tactics, and manages everything himself. Discover how he navigates challenges, understands customer preferences, and leverages market insights to grow his business at kids markets. Guest Links: https://www.instagram.com/pandaprintsbypeter/ Key topics: * Entrepreneurship at a young age * Product testing and market adaptation * Customer engagement strategies #lawnmowing #smallbusiness #teenownedbusiness #youthentrepreneurship #3dprintingbusiness #kidsmarkets #businessgrowth #customerengagement #producttesting #entrepreneuriallessons

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