Sue Malone is a recognized advocate for small businesses, having helped fund over 30,000 companies since 2010. As the founder of Strategies For Small Business, Sue has authored several loan and equity programs and has ranked #1 in the country for the SBA Community Express and Patriot Express loan programs. She is a fierce supporter of entrepreneurs, particularly those navigating the challenges of capital access.

Brandon Bruce is the co-founder and General Partner of Market Square Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm. He has co-founded several tech companies, including Uncat and Evasive, and served as the Managing Director for Techstars Industries of the Future Accelerator. Brandon is also a founding member of the Knoxville Technology Council and a passionate outdoors enthusiast.

Why This Matters

In the world of entrepreneurship, money isn’t everything, but it certainly makes the journey a lot smoother. In this episode, Chris, Sue, and Brandon dive into Capital Intelligence—the unique understanding of how to make a business not just investable, but inevitable in the eyes of investors and customers. Whether you're an entrepreneur trying to secure funding or an investor seeking the next big idea, the insights shared here are crucial for navigating the complexities of funding, business growth, and strategic pivots.

This conversation covers everything from debt vs. equity to the art of pitching and even managing life-work balance through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Get ready to hear real, actionable advice on what it takes to make a business succeed—even when the odds are stacked against you.

Key Takeaways:

• Resilience is Key: It’s not about avoiding failure—it’s about how you bounce back after hitting the wall.
  
  
• Money Alone Won’t Save You: Your business has to be inevitable in the eyes of investors, and that’s built on grit, innovation, and a solid customer focus.
  
  
• The Power of Storytelling: How you pitch your idea can be the difference between being heard or being overlooked.
  
  
• Capital Is Just One Piece: Investors are looking for more than just a good idea—they want to see that you can sell it, market it, and scale it.
  
  

Why It Matters to You

If you’re an entrepreneur looking to grow your startup, or if you're considering stepping into the world of investing, Sue and Brandon’s stories will shed light on what makes a business not just survive, but thrive. You’ll learn the critical importance of having a solid plan, revenue focus, and the right mindset to secure both capital and long-term success.

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Listen to all episodes of the Big Ideas Welcome podcast, available now on your favorite streaming platforms, YouTube, and at bigideaswelcome.com.

This Big Ideas Welcome podcast is brought to you by Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, hosted and curated by KEC Chief Experience Officer Chris McAdoo, and produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

A special thanks to K BREW for making this episode possible.

Original theme music “Thinking of You” courtesy of and copyright Kelsi Walker.

About the Guests

Jonathan Clark is a multidisciplinary artist, activist, and CEO/Founder of ART.Official Intelligence, a creative agency focused on social impact through the arts and technology. As a member of the Knoxville Mayor’s Maker City Council, Jonathan has played a key role in driving innovation and fostering collaboration within the local creative community. Known for his work as a spoken word poet, playwright, and facilitator of workshops that build bridges in communities, Jonathan’s commitment to cultural expression and social impact has led him to work on projects that empower and uplift underserved groups.

Candice Halbert is the president and founder of YO-STEM, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing underserved youth with hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Candice is also a Scientific Associate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), where she specializes in polymer chemistry and neutron scattering. Her advocacy in STEM education has earned her recognition, including being named one of People Magazine’s 2023 Women Changing the World. Through YO-STEM, Candice has mentored over 3000 students, empowering them to pursue STEM careers and build the skills they need to thrive.

Why This Matters

STEM education is a powerful tool for addressing inequality and preparing the next generation for an evolving workforce. However, many underserved communities still face limited access to these opportunities. This episode highlights the work being done by Candice Halbert through YO-STEM, providing diverse youth, especially girls, cultural minorities, and low-income students, with access to hands-on STEM education that can change their futures.

This episode is for educators, mentors, and anyone passionate about creating a more inclusive and innovative future. Jonathan and Candice share their real-world experiences and insights into how hands-on STEM programs can break barriers, inspire leadership, and empower the next generation of innovators.

100Knoxville is a cohort-based program from the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center that is helping build a prosperous, thriving community by accelerating the growth of Black-owned businesses through the deliberate investment of assistance, mentorship, and capital.

Key Takeaways:

• STEM can level the playing field. Providing underserved youth with hands-on STEM experiences breaks down barriers and creates equal opportunities.
• Diversity drives innovation. Including diverse perspectives in STEM leads to new ways of solving problems and thinking creatively.
• Mentorship is key. Candice’s work with over 3000 students shows that mentorship plays a crucial role in guiding young people to explore and excel in STEM fields.
• Real-world applications inspire engagement. Robotics competitions and similar activities give students the opportunity to apply knowledge, build confidence, and develop critical skills.
• Opportunities are essential. Every student, regardless of th

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Listen to all episodes of the Big Ideas Welcome podcast, available now on your favorite streaming platforms, YouTube, and at bigideaswelcome.com.

This Big Ideas Welcome podcast is brought to you by Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, hosted and curated by KEC Chief Experience Officer Chris McAdoo, and produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

A special thanks to K BREW for making this episode possible.

Original theme music “Thinking of You” courtesy of and copyright Kelsi Walker.

About the Guests

David Harman is the founder of Native Maps, where art and place intersect. His hand-screen-printed neighborhood maps are more than just designs, they are stories—capturing the communities, coffee shops, parks and record stores that make a city feel like home. These maps, sold in stores across the country, are not meant to help you navigate streets but to help you get lost in the places you love. Nearly ten years ago, David co-founded The Maker City, helping build Knoxville’s creative ecosystem and proving that artists and makers can thrive as entrepreneurs. He also runs Sunday Studios, a creative space for artists and photographers.

Siobian Jones is the founder of A Mighty Wig, a custom wig design business that serves both theatrical productions and individuals experiencing hair loss. With a career spanning salon education, Broadway, Cirque du Soleil and independent business ownership, Siobian brings artistry, craftsmanship and a deep commitment to helping others feel confident and empowered.

Why This Matters

Turning a creative passion into a sustainable business is no easy feat. It requires more than just talent, it takes financial clarity, adaptability and a willingness to navigate the uncomfortable realities of entrepreneurship.

This episode is for artists, makers and anyone who has ever wondered, Can I actually make a living doing what I love? Spoiler alert, yes, but not without some trial, error and plenty of perseverance.

A big thank you to Nancy Solomon, a creative leader in Knoxville and co-founder of The Maker City, for kicking off the conversation with a thought-provoking question on what it really takes to build a creative career beyond passion alone.

Key Takeaways:

• There is no cruise control in creative business. Success is not a single breakthrough, it is continuous learning, refining and adapting.
  
  
• Financial vigilance is key. Budgeting, pricing and long-term planning matter just as much as artistic skill.
  
  
• Mastery takes practice. Making a craft look effortless requires years of discipline and iteration.
  
  
• Boundaries matter. Saying yes to everything leads to burnout, true professionalism means valuing your time.
  
  
• Community is everything. The support of like-minded creators can be the difference between surviving and thriving.
  
  
• Selling is just as important as making. A great product does not sell itself, you have to actively put it in front of people.
  
  

Why It Matters to You

David and Siobian bring unfiltered honesty about what it takes to build a career in the creative world. From pricing their work to managing imposter syndrome, they have faced and continue to face the realities of making a living as an artist. Their insights are invaluable for anyone trying to turn their craft into something sustainable.

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Listen to all episodes of the Big Ideas Welcome podcast, available now on your favorite streaming platforms, YouTube, and at bigideaswelcome.com.

This Big Ideas Welcome podcast is brought to you by Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, hosted and curated by KEC Chief Experience Officer Chris McAdoo, and produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

A special thanks to K BREW for making this episode possible.

Original theme music “Thinking of You” courtesy of and copyright Kelsi Walker.