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. 1d ago

    He Was $37,863 in Debt at 22, Now His Company Sells 100 Houses a Year | Project Spokane

    In this episode of the Cowles Ventures Podcast, Blake sits down with Matt, founder of Project Spokane, and Isaac, who joined the team after selling his restaurant, to break down how a guy who was $37,863 in debt at 22 and failed his real estate exam three times built a company that helps investors find fix and flip and rental properties across Spokane. We talk about: How a poorly Photoshopped "Matt and Ted's Excellent Home Buying Adventure" ad campaign landed Matt his first deal in 30 daysWhy Matt walked away from running a multi-market investing franchise in New York to start over in SpokaneThe hardest day of his career, shutting down every business he had built at onceWhy real estate almost always beats stocks for control, but stocks may beat real estate for actual returnsThe truth about rental cash flow in Washington, and why $200 a month per door is considered a winHow Project Spokane's free bootcamp builds investors a full team, contractor, lender, property manager, bookkeeper, before they buy a single houseWhy 62% of their deals last year came from just 9 clients, and why that's by design Matt and Isaac share tactical insight into real estate investing, the BRRRR method, building a niche client base, and what it actually takes to walk away from stability and start something of your own. If you're interested in real estate investing, entrepreneurship, house flipping, rental properties, 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.

  2. Aug 12

    Why He Left a Successful Tech Sales Career to Start From Zero | Joel Robnett

    In this episode of the Cowles Ventures Podcast, Blake sits down with Joel Robnett, Founding Partner at North by Northwest Technologies, to break down his path from law school plans and a first day of work on 9/11, through two decades in tech sales at companies like Data Domain and Nimble Storage before their acquisitions by EMC and HP, to co-founding his own company. We talk about: Why he walked away from a successful sales and management career to start something from zeroWhat it actually felt like to make that jump, and the mindset shift from "what am I giving up" to "do I have what it takes"How North by Northwest Technologies helps mid-market, multi-site organizations navigate complex IT decisionsThe most common issue businesses run into when they ask for help, and why it's rarely just a tool problemAI fatigue, where AI is genuinely underrated versus overrated, and how it's already built into the tools companies use every dayHow leaders should think about governance, risk, and getting a team aligned around new technologyJoel shares tactical insight into IT consulting, sales leadership, entrepreneurship, and where AI is actually moving the needle for businesses right now, along with the personal decision-making that led him to start his own company. If you're interested in entrepreneurship, IT services, technology consulting, AI adoption, 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 29

    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

  4. 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!

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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

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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
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Blake Gibson
  • Show Website
    CV Podcast