Future Tide Conversations

Alfa Demmellash
  • 5.0 (1)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Can the coming tide raise all boats? At Rising Tide Capital, we know that purpose and perseverance are at the heart of every journey—whether it's building a business, strengthening a community, or finding leadership clarity in the chaos. This podcast is about exactly that: real conversations with real people, uncovering stories, insights, and strategies that help us move forward with intention. The inaugural episodes of Future Tide Conversations will focus on themes of resilience, starting with entrepreneurs building our economy from the bottom up and evolve from there to be inclusive of a wide array of ideas and leaders.

Episodes

  1. MAR 11

    Angelo Stracquatanio on Giving Back and Looking Forward (Part 3)

    In the final installment of our three part Future Tide Conversations series with Angelo Stracquatanio, we widen the lens to explore impact, inclusion, and legacy.  After hearing how Angelo started Apprentice.io in Part 1 and how he scaled it in Part 2, we now ask a different question. What does it mean to use that success in service of others.  Angelo shares how he is investing in inclusive innovation through mentorship and board leadership at Rising Tide Capital, the organization that supported his early training as an entrepreneur. He talks about why representation in industries like tech and pharma matters deeply to him and how he hopes his journey sends a message that big ideas can come from anyone, anywhere.  We also revisit his belief that technology should amplify human potential. Angelo gives examples of how Apprentice.io's tools are designed to support scientists and workers, rather than replace them, and why this approach has been key to the company's culture and long term vision.  As the conversation wraps up, Angelo offers heartfelt advice on leadership, well being, and staying grounded in your values. He speaks about the importance of community, family, and making space for rest, especially when the work is demanding.  This finale brings Angelo's story to a powerful close and reflects a core truth at the heart of Rising Tide Capital's mission. When one entrepreneur succeeds and gives back, the ripple effects can uplift many others.  🎧 Listen to Part 3 now for an inspiring conclusion, and revisit Parts 1 and 2 to experience the full journey.

    1h 5m

  2. FEB 11

    Angelo Stracquatanio on Scaling Innovation with Purpose (Part 2)

    In Part 2 of this Future Tide Conversations series, we continue our in depth conversation with Angelo Stracquatanio, Co-Founder and CEO of Apprentice.io, and delve into the next chapter of his entrepreneurial journey. If Part 1 explored how Angelo broke into the pharma industry with a mission driven idea, Part 2 focuses on what happened as that idea grew.  Angelo shares how he raised the capital and built the team needed to bring his vision to scale, no small feat in a field known for red tape and skepticism toward newcomers. He talks about convincing investors and pharmaceutical leaders to believe in Apprentice.io's potential and what it took to earn trust as a young founder without a traditional big pharma background.  We also discuss the pressures and responsibilities of rapid growth, particularly during the COVID 19 pandemic. Angelo recounts how Apprentice.io deployed its platform to help manufacturers adapt quickly, keep operations going, and continue getting life saving medicines to patients. It was a defining moment that tested the company's agility and deepened its commitment to its mission.  Throughout the episode, Angelo returns to a central theme. Technology should serve people. He explains why he is committed to building tools that empower scientists and operators rather than replace them and how this philosophy has shaped both the culture and long term strategy of Apprentice.io.  This episode offers a rich mix of practical insight and inspiring storytelling for entrepreneurs, innovators, and anyone reflecting on their own growth. It is about scaling fast, but also scaling thoughtfully.  🎧 Listen to Part 2 now and continue the journey with Angelo as we move toward the finale in Part 3.

    51 min

  3. JAN 14

    Angelo Stracquatanio on Breaking Barriers in the Pharma Industry (Part 1)

    In the first episode of this special three-part Future Tide Conversations series, we meet Angelo Stracquatanio, the dynamic Co-Founder and CEO of Apprentice.io. Angelo's story begins with a bold vision in 2014 and unfolds into the early steps of an outsider entering the high-stakes world of pharmaceutical technology with a mission to challenge long-standing assumptions.  In Part 1, Angelo shares how he identified a critical, archaic problem in pharma manufacturing and refused to accept the status quo. Listeners will hear how he confronted skepticism in an industry literally running on pen-and-paper systems, learned the ropes as an "insider-outsider," and laid the groundwork for a platform that helps get life-saving medicines to patients faster.  You'll hear the origins of Apprentice.io, from a two-person startup inspired by his wife's experience on a lab floor, to the first steps of transforming a simple idea into a powerful new reality in the life sciences. Angelo opens up about the values that guided him early on: purpose, self-belief, and the confidence that came from investing in his own growth. As a graduate of Rising Tide Capital's Community Business Academy, he reflects on how community, learning, and representation shaped the foundation of his success.  This conversation highlights the power of grit, vision, and early support in building a business, and a life,  that can uplift others. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a tech innovator, or someone who loves a great origin story, Part 1 will leave you inspired and eager to continue the journey.  🎧 Listen now to begin Angelo's story with us.

    1h 11m

  4. 10/01/2025

    Alleys and Waves of Innovation? Get in the Game. (Part 2)

    Welcome back to Future Tide Conversations for Part 2 of our enlightening discussion with James Johnson-Piett, Principal and CEO of Urbane Development and Board Chair of Mangrove Community Wealth, Inc. If Part 1 was about how James planted the seeds of a new idea, Part 2 is about how those ideas blossomed and spread. This episode picks up the thread, so if you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, we recommend starting there to fully appreciate the journey.  In Part 2, James dives into how he expanded his mission's reach and the innovative strategies he's using to change economic systems. We discuss the evolution from working one neighborhood at a time to influencing investment practices on a wider scale. James details how he created vehicles like community investment funds and a neighborhood REIT, designed to give ordinary people a chance to invest in and profit from local development, effectively rewriting who gets to build wealth. He shares the impact of these efforts, from new community-owned commercial spaces to multi-city partnerships that are taking root.  Listeners will also hear James's insights on sustaining and scaling an initiative. He talks about building a team and a network that share his values, including joining forces with other leaders through national cohorts focused on racial and economic justice in finance. Importantly, we explore the human aspect behind scaling. James opens up about balancing ambition with well-being, and why he believes caring for yourself and your community is integral to long-term success.  This concluding conversation highlights themes of collaboration, systemic change, and hope. James's expanded work shows that the principles we discussed in Part 1 — trust, inclusion, ownership — can indeed operate at larger scales, challenging the status quo of who has access to capital and opportunity. His vision resonates with what Rising Tide Capital has championed for 21 years, an economy where everyone can participate and prosper, not just a few.  Tune in to Part 2 for the inspiring culmination of James Johnson-Piett's story. It is a powerful reminder that when innovative thinkers like James get the support they need, they not only succeed in their own ventures, they pave the way for whole communities to rise. Whether you are passionate about impact investing, community leadership, or just love seeing visionary ideas come to life, this episode will leave you motivated and optimistic about the future. Listen now to hear how it all comes together.  🔔 Subscribe to Future Tide Conversations for more visionary stories and insights. Don't miss our upcoming episodes. Turn on notifications to stay updated.

    53 min

  5. 09/10/2025

    Alleys and Waves of Innovation? Get in the Game.

    In Part 1 of this Future Tide Conversations episode, we meet James Johnson-Piett, the dynamic Principal and CEO of Urbane Development and Board Chair of Mangrove Community Wealth, Inc, and uncover the beginnings of a journey that is transforming communities. James's story starts with a question: What if the key to reviving neighborhoods lies with the people who already live there? With that question in mind, he set out to reinvent community development from the inside out. He takes us through how he launched Urbane Development during the 2008 economic downturn, a bold move that exemplified courage and faith in his mission. James recounts those early days, from convincing the first partners and funders to trust a community-led approach, to tangible early successes like helping open new businesses that addressed urgent local needs, including bringing a grocery store to an area that hadn't seen one in years.  In this episode, listeners will hear how James built the foundation of his work. He discusses learning the ropes of finance and urban planning but also unlearning traditional top-down methods. We talk about how he focused on trust and relationships, spending countless hours in conversation with small business owners and residents to co-create solutions. James also reflects on the personal side, the doubts he had to overcome, and the resilience he cultivated to keep pushing forward. He shares how community support, mentors, peers, and early believers played a crucial role in turning a solitary idea into a collaborative movement.  This Part 1 conversation sets the stage, highlighting themes of innovation, empathy, and grit. James's early journey shows that representation matters not just in who gets opportunities, but in who leads the charge. His work aligns strongly with Rising Tide Capital's vision over the past 21 years, that big change grows from humble roots when entrepreneurs in every community get a chance to shine.  Tune in to Part 1 to be inspired by how James started building a new paradigm of community wealth. It is a testament to the power of a single vision and the early steps that turn that vision into reality. Don't forget to catch Part 2, where we'll dive into how James scaled up that impact and what it means for the future of inclusive economies.  🔔 Subscribe to Future Tide Conversations for Part 2 of this talk and more inspiring episodes. New conversations drop regularly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.

    54 min

  6. 07/23/2025

    Purpose & Proximity: Investing with a Broader Sense of Community

    In this Special Edition of our podcast, Alfa Demmellash speaks with Preston D. Pinkett III—President of P3 Collective and Chair of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation—about the role of purpose and proximity in ethical investing.  Together, they explore the power of relationship in funding, the role of trust, and why it matters who's closest to the solution.  🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more.

    22 min
  7. The Art of Repair: Strength, Self-Healing, and Leadership in the Auto Industry

    05/29/2025

    The Art of Repair: Strength, Self-Healing, and Leadership in the Auto Industry

    "Hilda Mera on Driving Change in the Auto Industry" – In this episode of Future Tide Conversations, we meet Hilda Mera, the dynamic co-founder and CEO of S&A Auto Center. Hilda's story is a journey of courage and resilience: arriving in the U.S. as a young immigrant and ultimately thriving as an entrepreneur in the male-dominated world of auto repair. She recounts how she overcame the skeptics (only about 5% of auto repair business leaders are women) and built not just a successful company, but a community hub that empowers others.  Listeners will hear how Hilda expanded her business to two locations in New Jersey, all while staying true to her mission of lifting up those around her. She discusses the practical lessons learned – from learning English and accounting to gaining trust as a female auto-shop owner – and the deeper insights gained along the way. We talk about her commitment to women's empowerment, including the free workshops and hands-on learning experiences she provides to make auto care less intimidating for women. Hilda also opens up about the importance of mental health and self-belief in an entrepreneur's journey, emphasizing how community support and perseverance helped her push through stressful times.  This conversation highlights broader themes of representation and inclusion: Hilda's success sends a message that with the right support, anyone can innovate and lead, regardless of background or industry norms. As a graduate (and now instructor) of Rising Tide Capital's entrepreneurial training program, Hilda exemplifies the transformative impact of access and opportunity. Her story aligns with Rising Tide Capital's 21-year mission to democratize entrepreneurship and build an economy that works for everyone.  Tune in to be inspired by Hilda Mera's journey. It's a testament to the power of grit, community, and vision in creating a business – and a life – that uplifts others. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a champion of women's leadership, or just someone who loves a great success story, this episode will leave you motivated and hopeful. Listen now on Future Tide Conversations!

    53 min
  8. Still You in There: Healing, Resilience & the Systems We Carry

    04/30/2025

    Still You in There: Healing, Resilience & the Systems We Carry

    In this episode, Alfa Demmellash sits down with Towanda McEachern, founder of The Empowerment Studio in Newark, NJ, to explore how personal healing can lead to community transformation.  Towanda shares her journey from trauma to empowerment and how creating spaces of care—like A Life Recycled—can support others in reconnecting with their purpose. Together, they reflect on how the systems we carry internally shape the ones we build around us, and why mental well-being must be central to how we lead.  Learn more and explore additional resources at:  future.risingtidecapital.org/podcast  Follow Towanda's work: empowermentstudionj.com

    53 min
  9. Educating our children, instilling resilience

    04/08/2025

    Educating our children, instilling resilience

    In this inaugural episode of Future Tide Conversations with Alfa Demmellash, CEO and Co-Founder of Rising Tide Capital sits down with Myani Lawson, an education entrepreneur, to explore her journey into entrepreneurship, education in today's world and instilling resilience in a rapidly changing world. The candid conversation is intended to share dreams in progress as they unfold to change the world around us, pointing the way to how we can journey together to mutual flourishing. Future Tide Conversations is a special initiative of Future Tide Partners powered by Rising Tide Capital. We are a 501-c-3 non-profit organization with a mission to provide holistic and long-term support to the entrepreneurs and leaders building businesses and initiatives that advance human connection and well-being at a community level. We believe these enterprises are the corner stone of a thriving future economy for every community.    
 
To learn more about our work, visit us at RisingTideCapital.org and follow us on our social channels for entrepreneurial resources, inspiration and to support our mission!

    38 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

Can the coming tide raise all boats? At Rising Tide Capital, we know that purpose and perseverance are at the heart of every journey—whether it's building a business, strengthening a community, or finding leadership clarity in the chaos. This podcast is about exactly that: real conversations with real people, uncovering stories, insights, and strategies that help us move forward with intention. The inaugural episodes of Future Tide Conversations will focus on themes of resilience, starting with entrepreneurs building our economy from the bottom up and evolve from there to be inclusive of a wide array of ideas and leaders.

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