Send us Fan Mail What does it take to keep entrepreneurs, and entire communities, moving forward? On this episode of The WEBB Remedy Podcast, we’re celebrating NC IDEA as a WEBB Squared Changemaker Award recipient and exploring what it means to be a Changemaker in Motion. Hosts Rinnie Orr, Executive Director of WEBB Squared, and Dr. Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins, Director of Strategic Partnerships at WEBB Squared, speak with Ben Redding, Chief Financial Officer of NC IDEA and manager of the NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM grant program. Join us for a conversation about Ben’s entrepreneurial journey, NC IDEA’s work supporting businesses and entrepreneurial ecosystems across North Carolina, and the partnerships that help create lasting economic opportunity. Ben will accept the Changemaker Award on behalf of NC IDEA at WEBB Squared’s fifth-anniversary celebration on October 22. What Does It Mean to Be a Changemaker in Motion? For WEBB Squared, being a Changemaker in Motion means continuing to learn, adapt, build relationships, and move ideas into action. In this conversation, Ben reflects on how NC IDEA supports entrepreneurs not only through funding, but also through the broader ecosystem of relationships, resources, mentorship, leadership development, and community partnerships that help businesses grow. The episode also considers how statewide organizations and community-rooted organizations can work together to create more connected and inclusive pathways to economic opportunity. Meet Our Guest Ben Redding, Chief Financial Officer, NC IDEA Ben Redding serves as Chief Financial Officer of NC IDEA and manages the NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM grant program, which supports economic development partnerships throughout North Carolina. Ben brings experience as an entrepreneur, including founding WellScale and participating in NC IDEA LABS. He has also worked in finance and with growing companies, including Counter Culture Coffee and iContact. Through his work at NC IDEA, Ben combines his experience in entrepreneurship, finance, and organizational growth to help strengthen the support systems surrounding North Carolina’s entrepreneurs. About NC IDEA NC IDEA is an organization dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems across North Carolina. For approximately two decades, NC IDEA has invested in entrepreneurs, emerging businesses, nonprofit partners, and ecosystem builders through funding, programs, mentorship, and community partnerships. Learn more about NC IDEA’s work and read the 20 Years of Impact Report at: ncidea.org About WEBB Squared WEBB Squared "Wealth Through Entrepreneurship for Black and Brown Businesses" is a nonprofit incubator and accelerator serving entrepreneurs through coaching, connection, workshops, and capacity-building support. WEBB Squared works to help Black and Brown founders build durable, wealth-generating businesses while strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem across Chatham County and beyond. Learn more about WEBB Squared: webbsquared.org Changemaker Question: What is one action you can take to help move an entrepreneur, a business, or your community forward? About The WEBB Remedy Podcast The WEBB Remedy Podcast is a mindset-shifting podcast from WEBB Squared featuring conversations about entrepreneurship, mindset, community, wealth-building, leadership, and the relationships that help people and businesses grow. Through honest dialogue, the podcast highlights entrepreneurs, community leaders, funders, partners, and changemakers who are helping create stronger, more equitable communities. WEBB Squared’s Changemaker Awards This episode is part of WEBB Squared’s fifth-anniversary celebration and Changemaker Awards series, presented under the theme: Changemakers in Motion The theme honors organizations and leaders who are building relationships, creating opportunity, strengthening communities, and moving meaningful ideas into action. WEBB Squared is pleased to recognize NC IDEA for its continued work supporting entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial ecosystems across North Carolina. Closing Thought Entrepreneurs do not build in isolation. Behind every growing business is an ecosystem of relationships, resources, encouragement, expertise, and opportunity. As Rinnie often reminds us: “Our evolution begins with dialogue.” Support the show Thank you for listening...Our theme this year is "Changemakers in Motion" To find out how you can be changemaker and connect - check out WEBB Squared. Become a changemaker today! Support WEBB Squared’s annual campaign. We would love to hear from you. Please contact rinnie@webbsquared.org for more information.
