In Episode 18 of Ecosysteming, we are joined by Laura Smailes, Relationship Manager at Everblue and former Assistant Director of Charlotte’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI). A longtime NC IDEA MICRO reviewer, Laura has helped shape Charlotte’s entrepreneurial landscape by supporting students, faculty, and community partners in developing ideas and sparking innovation. Her work has helped strengthen NC IDEA’s presence in the Queen City and deepen support for high growth companies in the state. Want to get more involved in your local startup ecosystem? This episode is for you.

In this episode of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe speaks with Mayor Leonardo Williams of Durham, North Carolina, about leadership, economic development, entrepreneurship, and the untold story behind his viral speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

Mayor Williams reflects on his journey—from music teacher to entrepreneur to public office—and shares how he and his wife, Zwelibanzi Moyo Williams, opened the first Zimbabwean restaurant in the U.S. with just $36,000 and a dream. He explains how those early entrepreneurial lessons now shape his work in public office, and what’s next for the City of Durham.

We are thrilled to welcome David Baxter, Chief Pixel and Strategist at Big Pixel, to this week’s episode of Ecosysteming. Big Pixel is a fully US-based strategic design and development firm that specializes in UX, startups, and a little bit of magic. Their mission? Helping businesses get to the core of what they truly want to achieve.

As the leader behind Big Pixel, David offers a valuable perspective on North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, drawing from over 20 years of experience navigating its ups and downs. In this conversation, he and host Thom Ruhe trade stories (and scars) from their own entrepreneurial journeys, offering hard-earned insights and advice to help others navigate their entrepreneurial path.