Fervent Four

Zack Miller, Tim Ryan
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Where Hampton Roads entrepreneurs tell their stories. Since 2020, The Fervent Four Show has been the weekly conversation connecting the entrepreneurs, innovators, and community builders shaping the future of Hampton Roads, Virginia. Each Thursday at 11 a.m. EST, hosts Tim Ryan and Zack Miller sit down with founders, CEOs, investors, and ecosystem leaders to explore the real stories behind regional growth — from bold startups and 757 trailblazers to nationally recognized brands born right here. Whether you're launching your first venture or scaling your next big idea, these candid, conversational episodes deliver insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, and business growth that will keep you fired up long after the mics go off.

  1. 3 NGÀY TRƯỚC

    The Hidden Business Value of Comments (Most Companies Ignore This Data)

    Most companies already have the data they need—they're just ignoring it. In this episode, we break down how comments expose customer intent, fix your messaging, and drive smarter decisions, featuring insights from Marc Weinberg of YourComments.AI. 0:00 Why negative comments stick more than positive ones 3:49 Intro to Marc Weinberg and YourComments.AI 6:28 The core problem, too many comments to actually use 7:57 How companies like Tesla use customer feedback at scale 10:07 Why most people ignore comments, and why that's a mistake 11:36 Comments as a business intelligence tool beyond social media 13:12 The role of bots, spam, and platform limitations 16:28 Why big platforms don't solve the problem 18:16 Real time comment insights and future use cases 21:05 Understanding sentiment and customer perception 23:14 The psychology of feedback and decision making 29:12 Comments as signals, not noise 33:17 Filtering data, positive, negative, and patterns 35:03 The real challenge, what to do with the data 38:00 Using AI to uncover trends, intent, and patterns 41:10 The risk of audience capture when listening too closely 43:08 Using repeated questions to improve messaging and products 46:09 How creators and companies use comments to build new products 49:45 Why some content wins, and what comments reveal about it 56:18 The shift from social connection to algorithm driven content 58:04 Cutting out noise and focusing on signal 1:00:17 The mental cost of ignoring how comments affect you 1:02:47 Building better teams and communication through feedback

    1 giờ 11 phút

  2. 21 THG 4

    Why This Coworking Model Keeps Selling Out

    Most coworking spaces struggle. This one doesn't. In this episode of Fervent Four, we break down the model behind a business hub that keeps filling up, not because of flashy marketing, but because it actually works for the people inside it. Gene Granger, Managing Director of The IncuHub, shares how a community-first approach, flexible memberships, and relentless visibility across the region have turned a simple workspace into a growth engine for entrepreneurs. From HUBZone strategy to word-of-mouth referrals and what they call "return on collision," this is a real look at what happens when you build for business owners instead of just renting desks. If you're building a business, or thinking about where and how to do it, this is worth your time. 00:00 Intro and trophy banter 02:00 Meet the guest behind the growth 03:10 From one location to rapid expansion 07:30 The real strategy behind networking 11:40 Why no event is too small 15:00 What a HUBZone actually is 18:45 Expansion into a new market 22:45 Why this model is outperforming others 29:50 The power of community and "collisions" 30:00 Who this actually works for 31:45 How location strategy plays a role 37:20 Daily routines and discipline 41:00 Culture vs typical coworking 46:20 How people are getting in early 49:00 Behind the scenes of building it 52:30 Office culture and real conversations 56:00 Why this market is heating up 58:40 Startup World Cup and big ideas 59:40 Why this region is undervalued 1:02:00 Presidents?  https://theincuhub.com/

    1 giờ 5 phút
  3. The Silicon Valley of Water Is Being Built in Virginia

    14 THG 4

    The Silicon Valley of Water Is Being Built in Virginia

    Most people think it's just another utility bill. They're wrong. The organization behind it is responsible for cleaning millions of gallons of wastewater, protecting our waterways, and now, turning that same water back into drinking water. In this episode of The Fervent Four Show, Jay Bernas breaks down how Hampton Roads is becoming the Silicon Valley of water technology, from recycling wastewater into drinking water, to reversing land subsidence, to building a sustainable water supply that could impact millions. This isn't theory. It's happening right now. And chances are, you had no idea. 00:18 The moment it became more than "just a bill" 01:08 The "Silicon Valley of Water Tech" idea 03:03 Why people think they pick up trash 04:02 The wild origin story (oysters + raw sewage crisis) 05:17 The SWIFT program explained 06:00 The aquifer problem no one is talking about 07:30 Why Hampton Roads is sinking 09:01 Can we actually reverse sea level impact? 10:11 You're drinking 30–40,000-year-old water 11:18 The economic impact (billions saved) 14:01 The truth about where water comes from 15:26 Would you drink recycled water? 18:20 The vision: Silicon Valley of water 22:13 Tech impacting millions globally 24:32 The $400M innovation breakthrough 26:19 AI + water (this is where it gets crazy) 28:30 The future of fully automated plants 31:13 What happens to jobs? 34:54 The jobs nobody wants (and why that matters) 36:13 Clean water is the most important invention ever 39:09 Inside the culture 42:38 What the aquifer actually looks like 46:36 Where your toilet water actually goes 48:47 Clean water for a penny per gallon 50:53 Why nobody knows this story Learn more about HRSD: https://www.hrsd.com/

    1 giờ 4 phút

  4. 7 THG 4

    She Got "Shellacked"… Then Built a Company to Fix a Problem Everyone Ignores

    Everyone has sat at a railroad crossing wondering how long they'll be stuck. Most people accept it. Andria McClellan didn't. After years in local government hearing complaints about blocked roads, delayed emergency response, and daily frustration, she realized something shocking: "There's no data. You don't have any data on how many times the train has blocked your road." Now, as CEO of Oculus Rail, she's building a system to track, measure, and ultimately solve one of the most overlooked infrastructure problems in the country. This is a story about failure, resilience, and seeing opportunity where everyone else sees inconvenience. From getting "shellacked" in elections to building a company rooted in real-world problems, Andria breaks down what it actually takes to build something that matters. 00:00 Startup mindset and campaigns 03:39 Naming Oculus Rail and building a brand 07:01 Space, region, and innovation context 09:36 The real problem, trains blocking roads 11:28 Past startup experience and early career 14:39 Failure, shutdowns, and lessons learned 16:00 Running for office like building a startup 18:38 Losing campaigns and resilience 19:17 Becoming a problem solver again 23:23 What railroads actually know and don't 25:02 Rail industry, data, and disruption 28:43 Selling to government and AI hesitation 32:40 Building the tech and partnerships 36:20 Why prediction is hard 40:48 Managing people and leadership struggles 42:16 The hardest part, selling into government 45:51 Data as the real product 47:38 Why this problem still exists 51:15 Expansion and scaling Oculus Rail https://oculusrail.com/

    1 giờ 6 phút
  5. Why Most Founders Actually Fail (It's Not Money)

    31 THG 3

    Why Most Founders Actually Fail (It's Not Money)

    Most people think startups fail because they run out of money. That's not what actually happens. In this episode of The Fervent Four Show, Ryan Dean, founder of Dreamer Made, breaks down what really causes businesses to stall, why early momentum fades, and how founders end up quitting long before they run out of options. From buying a bus on a whim to rebuilding his company with a sharper focus, Ryan shares the reality behind startup energy, AI shortcuts, and the difference between ideas that start and businesses that last. If you're building something, this is the part no one talks about. Listen now. Timestamps 00:00 Intro and opening banter 02:30 The unicorn story and standing out early 05:30 What Dreamer Made originally was 09:00 Why early ideas lack structure 12:30 Shutting it down and lessons learned 16:00 Restarting Dreamer Made with a new approach 19:30 AI, roadmaps, and building clarity 23:00 Why AI isn't the shortcut people think 27:00 The importance of human expertise 31:00 Where most founders go wrong early 35:00 Why businesses fail from energy, not money 39:00 The reality of expectations vs execution 43:00 The problem with "easy button" thinking 47:00 Customer validation and the "mom effect" 51:00 Why chasing "yes" is dangerous 55:00 Learning to value negative feedback 58:30 Final thoughts and closing   More info on dreamermade: https://dreamermade.com/

    1 giờ 6 phút
  6. Hiring Veterans Is Broken. AI Might Fix It.

    24 THG 3

    Hiring Veterans Is Broken. AI Might Fix It.

    The hiring system isn't broken because of a lack of talent. It's broken because companies don't understand it. Tim Best, CEO of RecruitMilitary, breaks down why thousands of highly trained service members struggle to translate their experience into civilian jobs, and how AI might finally bridge that gap. From retention challenges in Hampton Roads to the future of agent-driven hiring, this conversation explores where recruiting is heading, and what both job seekers and employers are getting wrong. 00:00 Why hiring veterans is still misunderstood 04:50 Hampton Roads retention vs other markets 08:00 The real reason veterans leave Virginia 12:00 Recruitment vs retention problem 23:40 Why veterans struggle to translate skills 27:30 How RecruitMilitary connects talent and employers 33:00 AI enters recruiting, what changes 38:50 The rise of agent-based hiring 44:40 Why candidates never hear back 49:10 Real example of skills mismatch 56:30 The danger of AI bias in hiring 1:02:00 Could AI create a better workplace? 1:06:30 The 757's unexpected "signature food"   About RecruitMilitary: RecruitMilitary connects veterans and transitioning service members with employers nationwide, helping translate military experience into civilian careers through events, technology, and recruiting tools. https://recruitmilitary.com About Innovate Hampton Roads: Innovate Hampton Roads is the 757's hub for startups, innovation, and business growth, connecting entrepreneurs, companies, and resources to build a stronger regional economy. https://www.innovate757.org

    1 giờ 9 phút
  7. Wine Is Broken. This Startup Is Fixing It

    17 THG 3

    Wine Is Broken. This Startup Is Fixing It

    Christopher Anderson, Founder of Joy of Wine, joins The Fervent Four Show to break down one of the biggest hidden problems in the wine industry. Behind every bottle shipped direct-to-consumer is a complex web of state-by-state regulations that cost wineries time, money, and opportunity. Instead of accepting it, Anderson built Compliancevine to automate the process and turn hours of work into minutes. This episode goes beyond wine. It's about identifying real problems, building solutions that matter, and why the best startups solve pain, not just ideas. If you're building, investing, or curious where AI and SaaS are actually making an impact, this is worth your time. https://joyofwine.co/ 00:00 Are wine festivals worth it 01:13 Finding a wine you actually like 02:50 The rise of non alcoholic wine 03:37 Virginia wine vs global regions 05:05 Growth of non alcoholic options 06:35 What sommeliers actually do 10:46 Chris background in wine 11:21 What Joy of Wine does 12:00 The compliance problem explained 14:30 Time and cost of compliance 18:00 Why the system is broken 20:55 Who the product is for 21:52 The AI sommelier vision 25:15 Why wine feels overwhelming 28:38 The true cost behind a $10 bottle 32:35 Expensive vs cheap wine 34:50 A wine you love at a price you like 36:26 Wine myths and glass shapes 42:54 How onboarding takes 5 minutes 44:25 Why only a 2 hour free trial 46:15 757 Accelerate and local startups 49:25 Biggest surprise building in 757 50:33 Fundraising and growth plans 52:15 How the business started 55:48 Why solving pain matters 59:08 Pairing wine with oysters 01:00:48 Closing thoughts

    1 giờ 1 phút
  8. Startup Founders Only Control 40% of Success | YC Founder Glen Moriarty

    10 THG 3

    Startup Founders Only Control 40% of Success | YC Founder Glen Moriarty

    Startup founders like to believe they control their destiny. According to 7 Cups founder Glen Moriarty, that's not true. "Founders can only control about 40% of the variables that determine whether a startup succeeds." In Episode 300 of The Fervent Four Show, Glen shares the real story behind building 7 Cups, a global mental health platform that connects people with trained listeners for emotional support. The conversation explores the early startup ecosystem in Hampton Roads, Glen's journey into Y Combinator, raising funding from investors like Sam Altman and Alexis Ohanian, and the brutal psychological reality of building a company. Glen also explains why startup founders struggle mentally, how YC forces founders to confront the real problems in their businesses, and why resilience and support systems matter more than most entrepreneurs realize. This episode dives into startup psychology, founder resilience, mental health, and the unpredictable nature of entrepreneurship. Listen to Episode 300 of The Fervent Four Show. 00:00 Episode 300 of The Fervent Four Show 01:20 How Zach first met Glen Moriarty 03:30 The original 7 Cups pitch in a van 06:10 Early startup ecosystem in Hampton Roads 08:40 Glen's path to Y Combinator 11:30 What YC was really like for founders 15:10 DoorDash being in Glen's YC batch 18:00 The biggest lesson from Y Combinator 21:00 How YC Demo Day fundraising worked 24:30 Raising early funding from Silicon Valley investors 27:00 Why the company name changed from Seven Cups of Tea 31:00 The original model for 7 Cups 35:30 Why messaging worked better than voice support 40:10 Startup competitions and why judges are often wrong 44:00 The psychology of startup founders 48:30 Why mental health is talked about more today 53:00 Founder resilience and difficult childhoods 58:00 Why founders only control 40% of startup outcomes 01:02:30 The importance of support systems for founders 01:06:00 Parenting, challenges, and building resilience 01:09:00 Favorite Norfolk restaurant and closing thoughts 7 Cups: https://www.7cups.com/

    1 giờ 2 phút
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Where Hampton Roads entrepreneurs tell their stories. Since 2020, The Fervent Four Show has been the weekly conversation connecting the entrepreneurs, innovators, and community builders shaping the future of Hampton Roads, Virginia. Each Thursday at 11 a.m. EST, hosts Tim Ryan and Zack Miller sit down with founders, CEOs, investors, and ecosystem leaders to explore the real stories behind regional growth — from bold startups and 757 trailblazers to nationally recognized brands born right here. Whether you're launching your first venture or scaling your next big idea, these candid, conversational episodes deliver insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, and business growth that will keep you fired up long after the mics go off.

Thông Tin

  • Nhà sáng tạo
    Zack Miller, Tim Ryan
  • Năm hoạt động
    2021 - 2026
  • Tập
    307
  • Xếp hạng
    Thô tục
  • Bản quyền
    © 2025
  • Trang web chương trình
    Fervent Four