Faith Driven Entrepreneur

President and COO Meagan McCoy Jones grew up at McCoy’s. She has worked as receptionist, advertising intern, and even shadowed in various departments throughout the company, becoming acquainted with many aspects of her family’s business along the way. Today, she is the fourth generation to lead this family business. Megan joins us on the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast to share with us the bigger story of McCoy’s and what drives her to build better relationships with her employees and customers.

On today’s podcast we have the joy and privilege to hear from an investor and entrepreneur team that met via the Faith Driven Marketplace. Investor Tom Lernihan was moved by the mission and simple solution of the company Pureflow founded and led by Jared Fulks and Collin Wenrich. After traveling around the world to Uganda, Collin had a revelation as his calling zipped past him on the road in the form of a motorcycle… also known as a boda. Anyone who has visited this part of the world knows that motorcycles are the one primary way to get around. In fact, being a “Boda Boda” driver is one of the fastest growing occupations in East Africa–home to more than 1 million motorcycle drivers. However, after further research, Collin discovered that less than 20% of all these drivers actually own their motorcycles. And so began Pureflow. After investing a few thousand dollars of his own money and striking up a deal with only 6 boda boda drivers, Collin went pedal to the metal. Since launching Pureflow and partnering with

Amy King is the founder and CEO of Pallet, a social purpose company working to end unsheltered homelessness and give people a second chance at employment. And while this endeavor alone would be enough for most people, Amy’s involvement doesn’t stop there. She’s also the owner of Square Peg Development, a general contractor, and a founding member of Weld, a nonprofit that provides previously incarcerated people with housing, employment, and other resources to help them reintegrate back into society. We’re talking to Amy about her desire to do more than just eradicate homelessness. She’s on a mission to demonstrate God’s abundant love through practical and tangible ways.

A 20-year veteran of the financial industry, Helen Young Hayes has survived a bear market that gutted her funds portfolio in the early 90’s and a horrific plane crash that nearly took her life in 1989. Serving as portfolio manager of the Janus Worldwide and Overseas funds, Helen built and invested a $50 billion franchise in global and international equities. In 2016, she changed course and founded Activate Workforce Solutions to help employers find and keep loyal and engaged employees. Helen is a respected voice and staunch advocate for the overlooked and undervalued workforce.

Sharing food is a powerful way to bring people together. Feast World Kitchen enables refugees and immigrants to serve their traditional recipes to local residents, who get to learn about—and enjoy—authentic, international cuisine without leaving town. This food business incubator is building bridges between cultures and knitting its local community together. Executive Director Ross Carper is partly responsible for making this idea a reality in Spokane, Washington. Listen to Ross’ story and how God has uniquely called him to welcome the foreigner among us.

Janitorial services is a notoriously transitional job that experiences a 400% annual turnover on average. Yet in the midst of a challenging employment landscape, JANCOA has discovered what it takes to solve this people problem. For them, it all began with listening to their employees and then purchasing a 15-passenger van. CEO Mary Miller joins the Faith Driven Entrepreneur podcast to share her experiences and provide insights when it comes to retention and turnover. If you’re looking to solve a people problem, then this episode is for you.

The global Faith Driven Movement is well served by a virtual conference that is “attended” by a network of local Watch Parties. Director of Operations Sue Alice Sauthoff sits down with several Watch Party hosts who have gone on to spark a movement in their own neighborhoods as a result. Listen to this inspiring conversation. Who knows how God might inspire you to host or join a local Watch Party of your own?

When it comes to business, are you talking with God on a regular basis? Or do you feel like your days are too packed for prayer? Kim Avery, author of The Prayer Powered Entrepreneur, believes an open line of communication with God is the singular most important discipline every successful business owner should incorporate into their daily routine. Join us on the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast to hear more about the power of prayer.

What many people may not know is that equal to his achievements on the field, Torii is just as proud of his growing portfolio of investments. And yet business is much like baseball—Torii has failed more than he has succeeded. His strikeouts have taught him there are no losers in life, just winners and learners. 

Million Dollar Baby has been designing elegant and sophisticated nursery furniture for more than 25 years. Founder Daniel Fong shares about the early days of his enterprise. He talks about what it’s been like to watch his kids grow up in the business, get involved, and continue to be instrumental in leading the organization into the next phase of development.

Star NFL Linebacker Jaylon Smith is a force on the football field. But there’s far more to him than just sporting prowess. Jaylon’s entrepreneurial spirit drove him to start the Minority Entrepreneurship Institute–which has awarded $1.2 million to 13 minority-owned companies since inception–and his own eyewear company – CEV Collection.

Donald Miller's books—such as “Blue Like Jazz,” “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years,” and “Scary Close”—have spent more than a year on the New York Times Bestsellers list. Don has since gone from writing bestselling books to tapping into the power of story for businesses and individuals. Every year he helps more than 3,000 business leaders clarify their brand message. Listen in as he challenges entrepreneurs to lean into their own story, creatively develop and execute the story of their team, and understand the story of their customers so they can serve them with passion.

These are truly unprecedented times as war rages in Eastern Europe. We had the unique privilege to be joined by a member of the Faith Driven Entrepreneur community in Ukraine. Andrew Denysov, founder and CEO of TechVision Global, joins us on the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast to share with us his story, how entrepreneurs play a key role in times of turmoil, and how we as the body of Christ can stand strong in the face of evil and uncertainty.

Struggling with dyslexia and watching his parents divorce, Gary Grant is no stranger to adversity. From a young age, he grew up with very little in worldly terms. And it drove him to work hard and make as much money as he could. That is until God stepped in and captivated his heart. Today, Gary is the CEO of The Entertainer, a massive toy company in the UK. He and his business are dedicated to living generously and impacting the lives of the community around them. To date, they have donated more than $10 million to charity, provided millions of meals to kids in need, and much more.

Mark Whitacre is the highest-ranking executive of any Fortune 500 company to become a whistleblower in US history. He is responsible for uncovering the ADM price-fixing scandal in the early 1990’s. His undercover work with the FBI was the inspiration for the major motion picture, “The Informant,” starring Matt Damon. Drawing from his unique history, Mark provides one-of-a-kind insight into corporate ethics, corporate greed, and the warning signs of a flawed corporate leadership. And he would be the first to tell you that his story is one of God’s redemption—not his own.

Warwick Fairfax was the fifth-generation heir to Australia's most storied media empire, a business started by his great-great grandfather. In the mid-'80s, a couple of decades after the family took Fairfax Media public, Warwick -- fresh from Harvard Business School -- launched a takeover that failed three years later. In just three years he lost the business that had been in the family for 150 years and was worth $2.25 billion. Warwick’s story offers insights into how you can move beyond failure and setbacks to become the leader you were born to be. He joins us today to share how he found his way back from failure and how you too can find your way back by allowing your crucible moments to refine you and help you find your life's purpose.

Brian Roland, Founder of Abenity, wanted to create a company that changed the way corporations offer and manage the perks they offer their employees. More than just seeing an opportunity to innovate, Brian realized that his vision was less about profits and all about people. He wanted his company to have a purpose.

At the helm of a broken company, with no operating capital or viable product offering, Patrick Colletti set out to rebuild an organization with loads of debt and no clear product or market presence. Patrick shares the story of this incredible turnaround and what it means to have a “refounder” mindset.

Bryan Kelley is the chief empowerment officer of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program, or PEP. But to think of this as just another prison ministry would be a grave injustice. PEP doesn’t want to simply change inmates, instead they want to transform the 150,000 men incarcerated in Texas from the inside out. Teaching practical entrepreneurial skills helps release fathers and husbands from generational bondage. Bryan joins us on the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast to share the story of how PEP is doing just that. And he illustrates just what they are doing to set men up for meaningful and lasting success after they are released from prison. 

Being bold in today's culture is one thing. Being bold without revealing your own brokenness can sometimes make you a bully. Today we’re privileged to hear the story of the Benham brothers—former major league baseball players, TV show hosts, and now wildly successful Faith Driven Entrepreneurs. David and Jason have lived out their faith boldly even in the face of a cancel-culture that doesn't always embrace Christ. And they’ve tried to do so with equal amounts of grace and humility.