{"id":1711,"date":"2026-01-30T22:13:33","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T22:13:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.troy.edu\/podcasts\/uncategorized\/just-start-thats-the-first-step-s5ep3\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T22:13:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T22:13:33","slug":"just-start-thats-the-first-step-s5ep3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.troy.edu\/podcasts\/uncategorized\/just-start-thats-the-first-step-s5ep3\/","title":{"rendered":"Just Start – Thats the First Step S5EP3"},"content":{"rendered":"

Episode 3 of Season 5 of the IDEA Vault Podcast<\/em> takes listeners inside the IDEA Bank Incubator Program, a specialized track within the IDEA Bank membership made possible through funding from Innovate Alabama. In this episode, we sit down with our incubator tenants\u2014Jared Hester of Studio 207<\/strong>, a local design firm; Jessica Goolsby of Goosehead Insurance<\/strong>, an independent insurance broker; and JoJo Meredith<\/strong>, owner of a local real estate company. Each bringing a unique perspective to entrepreneurship in Pike County. With dedicated office space inside the IDEA Bank and access to resources like printing and copying, internet, networking, and ongoing support, they share their individual paths to business ownership, the challenges that tested them, and how the IDEA Bank stepped in during pivotal moments. A recurring theme echoes throughout the conversation: \u201cThe result that you are wanting is in the work you are avoiding.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The episode pulls back the curtain on the everyday realities of owning a business\u2014the long hours, the sacrifices, and the small stepping stones that lead to real progress. From \u201cIf you want a day off, I have to work to earn it\u201d<\/em> to \u201cIt\u2019s exciting to see our little town grow,\u201d<\/em> these founders reflect on what it truly takes to build something sustainable. Their stories highlight the power of simply showing up, pushing past comfort zones, and taking that first leap of faith. As they remind us, growth begins just outside your comfort zone\u2014sometimes you just have to take a deep breath and jump,<\/em> and most importantly, just start\u2014that\u2019s the first step.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Connect with the Idea Vault Podcast & IDEA Bank:<\/strong><\/p>\n

https:\/\/ideabank.podbean.com\/<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

www.troy.edu\/ideabank<\/a><\/p>\n

Subscribe to our Newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Follow us:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Idea Vault Podcast on Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n

IDEA Bank on Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n

IDEA Bank on Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Episode 3 of Season 5 of the IDEA Vault Podcast takes listeners inside the IDEA Bank Incubator Program, a specialized track within the IDEA Bank membership made possible through funding from Innovate Alabama. In this episode, we sit down with our incubator tenants\u2014Jared Hester of Studio 207, a local design firm; Jessica Goolsby of Goosehead…<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"topics":[],"class_list":["post-1711","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nJust Start - Thats the First Step S5EP3 - Troy University Podcast Network<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/today.troy.edu\/podcasts\/uncategorized\/just-start-thats-the-first-step-s5ep3\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Just Start - Thats the First Step S5EP3 - Troy University Podcast Network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Episode 3 of Season 5 of the IDEA Vault Podcast takes listeners inside the IDEA Bank Incubator Program, a specialized track within the IDEA Bank membership made possible through funding from Innovate Alabama. 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