How to Start a Business with J.J., Erica, & Nathan

Have you ever thought about starting a business? If so, you’re not alone – 74% of Americans shared* they have thought of a business idea, yet the vast majority don’t follow through.

How do you actually make it happen?

We found 3 incredible Coke Scholar entrepreneurs to help us out!

• J.J. Jaxon (1994) – Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Mission MightyMe, a revolutionary food brand on a mission to end the food allergy epidemic
• Erica Tuggle (2001) – Founder & CEO of Cookonnect, a platform that connects busy families with accessible personal chefs for weekly meal prep
• Nathan Sharp (2004) – Co-Founder & CEO of Retro, an ad-free social app that makes it a joy to share photos with friends again

In this latest episode of The SIP, J.J., Erica, and Nathan share their wealth of knowledge and experiences in birthing successful ventures, diving into:

Why Passion Matters
Starting a business isn’t just about the mechanics; it’s about having a burning desire to solve a problem or bring a dream to life.

Navigating Challenges
Embarking on a new business venture comes with its fair share of challenges. From funding issues to market uncertainties, the panelists share key hurdles they faced in their entrepreneurial journeys and offer valuable lessons learned along the way.

Practical Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Networking, seeking mentorship, and staying informed about industry trends are underscored as vital for success. The trio also answer questions from the Coke Scholars community, covering topics such as business planning, securing funding, and growth strategies.

The episode is introduced by Jason Shanker (1991).

Watch a video of J.J., Erica, and Nathan recording this episode here with captions.

The SIP, short for The Coke Scholars Ignite Podcast, shares a taste of the Coke Scholars around the world who are igniting positive change.

Learn more about items referenced in this episode:

• The SIP – cokeurl.com/thesip
• The Coca-Cola Scholars Program – coca-colascholarsfoundation.org
• 74% referenced in the 2023 Incfile Small Business Trends Survey

Listen to The SIP: Season 4, Episode 2 Now

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