Strategic Growth Podcast 2024 The Golding Group

Justin Wilson, MBA, is the President and Managing Director at Plains Ventures, an OKC and Tulsa-based Venture Capital fund management firm with over $120m in assets under management. With a background in private equity, healthcare, politics and non-profit leadership, Wilson brings a broad base of perspectives to his approach to leadership and asset management.



Plains Ventures provides resources, guidance and support needed to grow successful companies. They fuel revolutionary ideas between the coasts, guiding founders from idea to exit. Their commitment is to continue doing what we’ve always done—uncovering inspiring entrepreneurs who are creating real value in places like our home state of Oklahoma and other traditionally overlooked places. Plains Ventures has a proven infrastructure consisting of capital, experience and network that positions them to help companies succeed. https://plainsvc.com



Wilson holds a Bachelor of Science in Physiology from Oklahoma State University and an MBA from the Yale School of Management. He is a proud Tribal Member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and lives in Edmond with his wife, Brooklyn, and their two young sons.



The Strategic Growth Podcast offers expert business insights, interviews with thought leaders and business plan triage for business owners, start-ups or anyone with a specific business problem. Listen/Stream/Subscribe to the podcast at https://bit.ly/StrategicGrowthPodcast

What better way to understand venture capital investing than by interviewing a specialist with tremendous professional experience? Our special guest is Kevin Moore, Founder and Managing Partner of Serac Ventures in Oklahoma City. Moore has over 16 years of experience in finance and private markets investing. Prior to Serac Ventures, he was a Partner at Spur Capital Partners where he led investments into top-tier, early-stage venture capital fund managers and select co-investment/direct investments. Prior to Spur, Moore was the Director of Angel Investments and Venture Advisor at i2E, a seed-stage investment firm we have discussed on this podcast previously.



Serac Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in the seed stage, providing the greatest opportunity for outsized returns. they back companies building technologies that expand access to capital and financial services and make work faster, more secure and more productive. Serac typically writes checks between $250K to $750K. They look for companies with a finished product, revenue, a growing customer base and a scalable and capital-efficient business model. https://www.seracventures.vc



The Strategic Growth Podcast offers expert business insights, interviews with thought leaders and business plan triage for business owners, start-ups or anyone with a specific business problem. Hosted by Kyle Golding, entrepreneur and Chief Strategic Idealist for The Golding Group. Listen/Stream/Subscribe to the audio podcast https://bit.ly/StrategicGrowthPodcast

We have two return guests, Suzette Change and Corey Walker, on the podcast today to talk about a BBQ fundraiser for Thick Descriptions, a non-profit org. that disrupts traditional education methods to help humans thrive where they are, building a better community with anthropology. They add anthropology to STEM education (making it STEAM). Thick Descriptions' innovative education programs offer students immersive experiences in science, technology, engineering, Anthropology and math, tailored to their communities. You can learn more and support their efforts by attending a BBQ lunch on Saturday, May 18th, 2024, at Broke Brewing (3810 N. Tulsa Ave, OKC). More details at https://www.thickdescriptions.org or on FB https://www.facebook.com/events/688493823329525.



The Strategic Growth Podcast offers expert business insights, interviews with thought leaders and business plan triage for business owners, start-ups or anyone with a specific business problem. Hosted by Kyle Golding, entrepreneur and Chief Strategic Idealist for The Golding Group. Listen/Stream/Subscribe at https://bit.ly/StrategicGrowthPodcast

The best businesses have three main components: Solve a problem, offer a manageable solution and provide value above what is expected. Local startup Storm Check was launched with this in mind. After initial success, the founders recently went through a brand elevation to become Shelter Ready! full-service cleaning and prep. for storm shelters. Learn more at https://cleanmyshelter.com



The decision to rebrand is always a tricky proposition, even more so when a company is only a year old and practically still in startup mode. But it’s worth the effort if the rebrand can make a big enough impact.



Why the change, you ask? We listened to potential customer feedback and realized the previous name, Storm Check, needed clarification. Many mistakenly associated our services with storm shelter installation or storm chasing. We wanted a positive name that clearly conveyed the safety and peace of mind provided to families who utilize a storm shelter during severe weather. Shelter Ready! is embracing a brand identity that speaks directly to the core of what they do: preparing your shelter for whatever Mother Nature may bring.



We also simplified the service packages from three tiers to one, reflecting our dedication to streamlining the customer experience. Now, with just one click, you can access comprehensive storm shelter cleaning and preparedness services conveniently available through the new and improved website CleanMyShelter.com.



As part of our rebranding efforts, we’ve also refreshed our logo, opting for an umbrella symbol to represent shelter from the storm—a universal symbol of protection and safety. This new branding is visually appealing and reinforces our commitment to protecting your family, pets and neighbors during severe weather events.



The idea started with a conversation about providing opportunities for veterans and helping keep Oklahomans safe during a storm. As residents of Oklahoma, the founders of Shelter Ready! know how important it is to have a safe, clean place to go at a moment’s notice. They are also grateful and proud of the servicemen and women who helped secure our freedom. They aim to employ veterans who have served our country and empower them to become leaders within the company across all levels.



The Strategic Growth Podcast offers expert business insights, interviews with thought leaders and business plan triage for business owners, start-ups or anyone with a specific business problem. Listen, watch, stream or subscribe: bit.ly/StrategicGrowthPodcast

A guide to being strategic, systematic and comprehensive in your decision-making. Today's episode provides a structural overview that anyone can use; just apply your situational details.



You need to know four things before you begin the strategy process.
• Know yourself
• Know your audience
• Know your value
• Know your position



This episode will provide you all the information you need to craft a strategy and plan for implementation, execution and measurement. You can be strategic, systematic, and comprehensive in your decision-making process. Insert the proper details depending on your organization, competition, audience and market. You now have all the tools to begin the process. For a more detailed discussion about utilizing strategic planning for your business decision-making process, please contact us.

Since 1998, i2E has been a trusted and accomplished partner in Oklahoma’s community and economy, working closely with business owners and leaders to develop and strengthen their ideas, scale their companies responsibly, launch successfully and ensure relevance. Our guest today is Rex Smitherman, President of i2E. He is responsible for providing leadership in strategic business planning, management of company operations, managing relationships with funding sources and supervising underwriting functions to support i2E investment funds.



Smitherman has more than 25 years’ experience in community and economic development, and has worked with state and local governments, the federal government, local and national non-profit organizations, economic development organizations and some of the country’s largest corporations to grow Oklahoma’s economy. Smitherman is a wealth of knowledge and experience building successful companies, state agencies and economic ecosystems. https://i2e.org/



The Strategic Growth Podcast offers expert business insights, interviews with thought leaders and business plan triage for business owners, start-ups or anyone with a specific business problem. Listen, watch, stream or subscribe: bit.ly/StrategicGrowthPodcast