the founder’s
Blog
Looking for advice, stories from real startups, or unique perspectives on our region’s entrepreneurial growth? You’ve come to the right place!
How Calli Rose Found it’s Home on East Main Street
327 East Main Street didn’t sit empty for long. Just a month after Some Apparel closed, ETSU senior Calli Hall stepped into the very same space with her brand-new storefront, Calli Rose, and with it...
Is Marketing Really Changing?
Marketing is a massive, confusing, convoluted industry that seemingly changes every day. The same techniques marketers use today are different from the ones they used yesterday. The tools marketers...
AI Is Not Killing Software as a Service (SaaS)
Everywhere I go online, I see people claiming that SaaS is dead — that AI is going to wipe out the entire business model. There’s a mindset among “vibe coders” (and yes, I’m one of them) that this...
Time Kills Deals: How I Lost $65,000
When I started my very first company, I was still completing my undergrad at Purdue University. I was going to school full-time and trying to get a mobile app development company off the ground. At...
Mindset of a Serial Founder
In my career, I’ve started five companies and a nonprofit. I’m now on the verge of launching my sixth Startup. As my excitement builds leading up to the launch of my new business, it has made me...
What Ecosystems Get Wrong About Startups
In today’s startup culture, less than 1% of founders get venture funding. In fact, the numbers say that somewhere between 0.03% and 0.05% of startups receive venture funding. This data comes from...
The Difference in Appalachian Founders
Watching Johnson City’s startup scene explode over the past few years and gain recognition as a hub for entrepreneurship in the southeast has been truly inspiring. It’s a testament to the founders...
Trading Isn’t Just for the “Finance Bro” — Meet the Woman Leading the Change
If you’re a member of Spark Plaza, you know that the first Friday of every month is reserved for one of our favorite traditions: Members-only Lunch. The workspace generously caters a delicious meal...
Building a Team That Feels Like Family: Lessons From The Generalist
Open The Generalist’s doors and you’ll be greeted by the soft ring of a comforting bell and the warm, familiar words, “Hi, welcome in!” We know this all too well, because here at FoundersForge, we...
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