CV Podcast

Blake Gibson
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Welcome to the Cowles Ventures Podcast, the best podcast to learn about entrepreneurship and starting your own business!

  1. 2d ago

    She Turned 90,000 Followers Into a Social Media Agency | Lauren Trivison

    Lauren Trivison built an audience of more than 90,000, got featured in InStyle as a midsize fashion expert, and partnered with brands from Sephora to McDonald's to Abercrombie. Then she turned all of it into a real business. In this episode, Lauren joins the Cowles Ventures Podcast to talk about the seven-year road from freelance creator to founder of Get Lo Socials, her Spokane-based social media agency now serving clients across the West Coast. We get into why she bet on organic strategy over paid ads, what most business owners get wrong about social media, how she prices and packages something as subjective as creativity, and why she still gives away a free monthly marketing class to local owners. A candid look at the actual business behind "being an influencer." CHAPTERS 00:00 [to fill from transcript] CONNECT WITH LAUREN Instagram: @laurentrivison TikTok: @lauren.trivison Get Lo Socials: laurentrivison.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-trivison/ The Cowles Ventures Podcast features founders and operators across the Inland Northwest on how they actually built, funded, and grew their companies. Hosted in Spokane by Blake Gibson. #Spokane #SocialMediaMarketing #Influencer #ContentCreation #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #InlandNorthwest

  2. Jul 22

    Adapting His Way Into Spokane Entrepreneurship | Doyle Wheeler

    In this episode of the Cowles Ventures Podcast, Blake sits down with Doyle Wheeler to break down his journey from 18 years in auto body to becoming a Spokane entrepreneur, founding Kinetek Media and running First Avenue Coffee in downtown Spokane.We talk about:- How a $200 Black Friday laptop became the foundation for Kinetek Media- Landing an unpaid six-month gig running Launchpad Spokane's Twitter and turning it into Kinetek's first paying client at KXLY- What Startup Weekend and early Spokane social media looked like in 2010, before photos could even be shared on Twitter- Why innovation and the willingness to pivot became Kinetek's core value- How algorithms actually work, why they reward engagement over accuracy, and what that means for marketers- Running First Avenue Coffee alongside a marketing agency and what "surprise and delight" means in bothDoyle shares tactical insight into digital marketing, brand building, and adapting to platform shifts, along with lessons learned from building multiple businesses in Spokane.If you're interested in digital marketing, entrepreneurship, small business, branding, or building a company in Spokane, this conversation is packed with practical insights.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, investors, and operators building the next generation of companies!

  3. Jul 15

    How Video Marketing Builds Brands with Andrii Mynka

    What separates content that gets ignored from content that drives real business growth? In this episode, we sit down with Andrii Mynka, New Business Director and Partner at 16x9 Video Agency, to explore the power of strategic video marketing and authentic storytelling. From growing social media channels into thriving communities to helping brands transform their identity through compelling visual content, Andrii shares what he's learned about creating videos that don't just earn views—they build trust, generate leads, and grow businesses. We also dive into why bold marketing often outperforms playing it safe, the role of minimalism in branding, how businesses can leverage organic micro-content, and why serving your community is one of the smartest long-term marketing strategies. Whether you're a business owner, marketer, entrepreneur, or content creator, this conversation is packed with practical insights on using video to stand out in a crowded digital world. In this episode, you'll learn: Why storytelling is your biggest competitive advantageHow businesses can create video content that actually convertsThe balance between bold, memorable marketing and authenticityStrategies for building a brand through organic contentCommon mistakes businesses make with video marketing and how to avoid them Tune in for an engaging conversation with Andrii Mynka about creativity, entrepreneurship, and the future of video marketing.

  4. Jul 8

    The Human Side of Digital Marketing with Ed Reese

    For more than two decades, Ed Reese has helped businesses turn digital marketing data into meaningful business decisions. As Principal of Sixth Man Marketing, Executive in Residence and Adjunct Professor at Gonzaga University, Ed has built a career at the intersection of analytics, strategy, and education. In this episode, Ed shares lessons from 20+ years in digital marketing, including how analytics can tell the story behind customer behavior, why great marketing starts with understanding people—not just data—and how businesses can improve websites, search performance, and user experience through informed decision-making. Beyond marketing, the conversation explores Ed's passion for mentoring the next generation of professionals, helping students bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace, and the importance of building authentic relationships throughout your career. From launching LocalU and speaking at industry conferences to teaching future marketers and advising organizations, Ed reflects on the value of curiosity, lifelong learning, and creating opportunities for others. Whether you're a marketer, business leader, entrepreneur, student, or anyone interested in leadership and career growth, this episode offers practical insights on using data with purpose, building meaningful connections, and creating lasting impact.

  5. Jul 1

    What If Concrete Could Clean Water? | Greg Johnson

    What if the roads, sidewalks, and parking lots we rely on every day could help reduce flooding and clean stormwater before it reaches our waterways? In this episode, Blake sits down with Greg Johnson, Co-Founder and CEO of AquiPor Technologies, to discuss how one Spokane startup is reinventing concrete to solve some of today's biggest infrastructure and water management challenges. In this episode, you'll learn: • How AquiPor is transforming traditional concrete into high-performance porous concrete • The entrepreneurial highs and lows of building a hard-tech startup • Why solving infrastructure challenges requires innovation, patience, and resilience • Greg's approach to leadership, fundraising, and scaling a mission-driven company • The future of stormwater management and resilient infrastructure If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review to help us continue sharing stories from entrepreneurs and innovators making a difference.

  6. Jun 24

    Building a Brand That Actually Stands Out | James Clark

    What does it actually take to build a brand experience people remember? James Clark, founder of Wunder Beast, on the realities of building a standout brand from the ground up and why branding goes far beyond a logo.James Clark builds digital activations and brand experiences that stick. In this conversation we get into the story behind Wunder Beast, what actually separates businesses that thrive from those that struggle, the marketing that genuinely moves the needle, and the mindset that keeps a founder going when things get hard. Whether you're an entrepreneur, operator, or marketer, there's plenty here worth stealing.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro00:40 What Wunder Beast builds03:42 What brands actually get out of it05:03 Standing out in a crowded market06:03 Going to market with a tiny team10:50 How AI changed the work14:39 AI slop & the creative industry18:48 Where experiential marketing is heading21:33 Favorite builds & hardest logistics25:55 The founder roller coaster27:00 Why build this in Spokane30:47 Fixing Spokane's startup scene33:12 Rapid-fire round37:48 How to reach JamesCONNECT WITH JAMESLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-clark-27920065/Wunder Beast: https://wunderbeast.com/—Cowles Ventures Podcast — founder & operator conversations from the Inland Northwest. Hosted in Spokane.Episode 32#Entrepreneurship #Branding #Marketing #Startups #Founder #Spokane #WunderBeast #CowlesVentures

  7. Jun 18

    Building the Future of Bioscience in the Northwest | Michaele Armstrong

    What does it take to build a thriving bioscience ecosystem outside of traditional innovation hubs like Boston and San Diego? In this episode of the Cowles Ventures Podcast, we sit down with Michaele Armstrong, PhD, MBA, Executive Director of Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Cluster, to discuss the future of biotech, startup innovation, and the work required to grow a life sciences economy in the Inland Northwest. Michaele shares her journey from oncology research and academia to entrepreneurship, ecosystem development, and supporting early-stage life science companies. We explore what makes a biotech startup fundable, the challenges founders face when commercializing new technologies, and why collaboration between industry, academia, investors, and healthcare organizations is critical to driving innovation. We also dive into the role of incubators and innovation clusters, the realities of building a life science hub in emerging markets, the impact of AI in healthcare, and the opportunities shaping the future of bioscience. Whether you're a founder, investor, researcher, healthcare leader, or simply curious about the future of innovation, this conversation offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-evolving industries in the world. Topics include: • Building a bioscience ecosystem in the Northwest • Life science startups and commercialization • What makes a biotech company fundable • The role of incubators, clusters, and community • AI in healthcare and emerging industry trends • Leadership, innovation, and long-term impact • Advice for first-time founders If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review to help us bring more conversations with founders, operators, investors, and innovators shaping the future of business and technology.

  8. Jun 10

    From Idea to Company: Njal Lundberg's Entrepreneurial Journey

    What happens when you combine creativity, grit, and an obsession with building memorable experiences? In this episode of the Cowles Ventures Podcast, we sit down with Njal Lundberg, founder and CEO of Modern Dreamers, to discuss her entrepreneurial journey, the realities of building a consumer brand, and the lessons she's learned scaling a business from idea to impact. Njal shares how she identified an opportunity in the market, navigated the early challenges of entrepreneurship, and built a company that stands out in a crowded landscape. We also dive into marketing, customer acquisition, leadership, resilience, and what it takes to keep growing when things don't go according to plan. Whether you're an entrepreneur, operator, investor, or someone thinking about starting your first business, this conversation is packed with practical insights and honest reflections from the founder's seat. Topics include:• Building a business from the ground up• Finding product-market fit• Customer acquisition and brand building• Lessons learned through growth and setbacks• Leadership and company culture• Advice for aspiring founders If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review to help us bring more conversations with founders, operators, and investors shaping the future of entrepreneurship. #Entrepreneurship #StartupFounder #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #CowlesVentures #ModernDreamers #Podcast #FounderJourney #Innovation

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About

Welcome to the Cowles Ventures Podcast, the best podcast to learn about entrepreneurship and starting your own business!

Information

  • Creator
    Blake Gibson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Blake Gibson
  • Show Website
    CV Podcast