The Startup Studio
Betsy Flanagan Encourages Entrepreneurs to Follow Their Dreams
Betsy Flanagan interviews successful entrepreneurs and encourages others to follow their dreams in "The Startup Studio," a bi-weekly podcast.
Why do some people dream, while others act? Betsy Flanagan wants to know, and she’s going to share these stories with you.
Flanagan is the host of “The Startup Studio,” a bi-weekly podcast that shares how business owners move from idea to action. By profiling successful entrepreneurs, she hopes to inspire others to follow their dreams. Her podcast is available through iTunes, or at Startup Studio.
Developing an Idea
It makes sense that Flanagan would host a podcast on entrepreneurs. She’s always been interested in how people recognize a business opportunity.
“It’s incredible,” she says. “Something like 70% of people want to be their own boss. The question is, what makes some people do it, and others not?”
This question is the foundation of her podcast. In addition to easing her own curiosity, she thought stories of success could motivate other aspiring entrepreneurs.
In July of 2006, Flanagan started recording. Her first show was with Tazo Tea founder Steve Smith. During the interview, Flanagan asked Smith what she knew she would ask all guests:
- how he came up with the idea
- how he made it happen
- what advice he had for other entrepreneurs
- any childhood experiences that pointed him toward entrepreneurship
Smith talks about his early endeavors, such as a neighborhood paper route, and his tendencies to experiment, like trying to make wine from Welch’s grape juice in his closet. Although it was Flanagan’s first podcast, listeners rate Steve Smith’s interview as their favorite.
What Listeners Will Hear
“The Startup Studio” begins with an overview of Flanagan’s guest. She explains the business, and what sets it apart. In her podcast on Embrace Pet Insurance, Flanagan tells listeners that more money is spent each year on pets than babies.
In a little over a year, Flanagan has interviewed over 20 accomplished entrepreneurs. Through her interviews, she’s found that it’s not just about the business. Seldom do her guests pursue opportunities because they want to get rich. Several have found ways to contribute to causes they care about, such as:
- Tazo Tea's involvement in sustainability
- Coinstar's functionality to donate to non-profits at machines
- Espirit's ongoing commitment to social responsibility
Her guests trusted themselves, and really believed they could do it. They didn’t doubt their decisions. It’s helpful and inspiring to see how people become successful, says Flanagan.
Do What You Love
According to Flanagan, if you’re not doing what you love, your career will suck the energy out of you. “When you do what you love, you do it well, and often find yourself with extra time and energy.”
The overwhelming advice Flanagan’s learned from her own experience and that of her guests is if you have the dream, go for it. Says Flanagan, “Jump off the cliff, and find your wings on the way down.”
