Tanner Bowman - Optio

What if everything we’ve been taught about education is wrong? In this episode of Midnight Founders, we sit down with Dr. Tanner Bowman, founder of Optio, to explore how a decade of experience in public education led him to challenge the traditional school system and build something entirely different. After spending ten years as a high school teacher, Tanner began questioning why education prioritizes grades, attendance, and checking boxes over curiosity, creativity, and a genuine love of learning. That question ultimately led him to create Optio, an innovative education platform that gives students ownership over their learning and allows real-world projects, personal interests, and hands-on experiences to count toward accredited academic credit. We dive into the problems with traditional education, the importance of student autonomy, taking risks as an entrepreneur, and what it looks like to build a business around a deeply held belief. In this episode, we explore: Why Tanner walked away from traditional public education. The difference between learning to pass a test and learning because you're curious. How entrepreneurship can challenge established systems. Building a business around a mission rather than just a market. The future of education and what school could look like for the next generation. Lessons learned from turning an idea into a reality. This is a conversation about challenging the status quo, following your convictions, and having the courage to build something different. Welcome to Midnight Founders.

What does it take to build a business around something as simple—and as powerful—as human connection? In this episode of the Midnight Founders Podcast, we sit down with Jeff Bitton, founder and CEO of Pitch59, to talk about entrepreneurship, sales, networking, and the power of building meaningful relationships in business. Jeff shares his journey from working in the service industry to building Pitch59, a platform designed to transform the way people introduce themselves, build credibility, and generate business through video-first networking. We dive into the challenges of building a company from the ground up, navigating years of refining and pivoting, and what it takes to turn an idea into a product that people actually use. We also explore the importance of personal branding, why relationships are at the heart of successful sales, and how technology can make business more human rather than less. From entrepreneurship and leadership to persistence, innovation, and building trust, this conversation offers valuable insights for anyone looking to grow a business and create opportunities. This is Midnight Founders. Where we talk with the people crazy enough to build what doesn't exist yet.

What happens when life takes you in a completely different direction than you expected? On this episode of the Midnight Founders Podcast, we sit down with Heather Nemelka, founder of Elavare, to explore her remarkable journey from spending 18 years raising her five children to rebuilding her career, earning her MBA, and creating an organization dedicated to helping mothers return to the workforce with confidence. After navigating major personal and professional transitions, Heather turned her own experiences into a mission to help other women recognize their worth, rediscover their purpose, and find meaningful opportunities in the professional world. We dive into the challenges of starting over, building a business around a meaningful mission, overcoming self-doubt, and recognizing the value of skills that don't always show up on a résumé. Heather also shares insights on leadership, career growth, and why sometimes the biggest setbacks can become the foundation for your next chapter. In this episode, we explore: Building a new career after an 18-year break Turning personal challenges into entrepreneurial opportunities The mission behind Elavare and its impact on mothers Overcoming self-doubt and rebuilding confidence Why traditional hiring practices can overlook incredible talent Finding purpose and creating meaningful change through business Heather's story is a reminder that your path doesn't have to be linear, and it's never too late to pursue something meaningful.  

What if the key to building a successful business isn’t just what you know, but who you surround yourself with? On this episode of the Midnight Founders Podcast, we sit down with Jessica Devenish, co-founder and partner of REUNION, a community built around bringing entrepreneurs, business leaders, and changemakers together to grow through meaningful relationships. With nearly three decades of experience in entrepreneurship and leadership, Jessica has learned that success is about more than strategy, sales, and growth. It’s about the people you surround yourself with, the relationships you build, and the willingness to learn from others who have walked a similar path. We dive into the power of connection, why entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be a lonely journey, and how surrounding yourself with the right people can change the way you lead and grow your business. Tune in for a conversation about leadership, relationships, and building a business—and a life—that matters.

What does it take to build a business in the ever-evolving world of technology? On this episode of the Midnight Founders Podcast, we sit down with David Martineau of Nimblewire to talk entrepreneurship, software development, and building solutions that help businesses bring their ideas to life. Nimblewire specializes in helping businesses develop and launch custom software applications through scalable cloud-based technology. We dive into the challenges of entrepreneurship, identifying opportunities in the tech industry, and what it takes to turn an idea into a business. David shares insights on building in the software space, creating value for customers, and navigating the journey of business ownership. Tune in for an inside look at entrepreneurship, technology, and the mindset behind building something of your own.

Skyler Baird: Turning a Real-World Problem Into BoostedSafe What happens when you experience a problem firsthand and decide to build the solution yourself? In this episode of the Midnight Founders Podcast, we sit down with entrepreneur Skyler Baird, founder of BoostedSafe, to talk about the journey of taking an idea from a real-world problem to a physical product, a company, and a growing brand. Skyler shares the story behind BoostedSafe, the challenges of developing and manufacturing a completely new product, and what it takes to build a company around something people genuinely need. We talk entrepreneurship, product development, risk, failure, cash flow, branding, and the reality of trying to scale a physical-product business. We also dive into the mindset behind building something from scratch—why some of the best businesses come from problems you personally experience, how to keep moving when things don't go according to plan, and what Skyler has learned from building a company in a highly competitive market. From the first idea to Kickstarter, manufacturing, customers, and scaling BoostedSafe into a recognized vehicle-security brand, this is a conversation about turning an idea into something real. This is Midnight Founders. Where we talk with the people crazy enough to build what doesn't exist yet.

In this episode of the Midnight Founders Podcast, we sit down with Scott Chapman from The REAL Difference Project to hear his story, the mission behind his work, and what it takes to build something that creates a lasting impact. Scott shares lessons from his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges he’s faced along the way, and why purpose matters when building something bigger than yourself.

On this episode of Midnight Founders, we sit down with Shawn Moon, Chairman & CEO of Zerorez and former Executive Vice President of FranklinCovey. Shawn has spent decades working with leaders and organizations around the world, building companies, developing high-performing cultures, and studying what makes great leadership actually work. We talk entrepreneurship, scaling Zerorez, building a winning culture, the importance of trust and relationships, and the lessons Shawn has learned throughout his career as a founder, executive, author, and leader. This is a conversation about more than just building a successful company—it’s about building something that lasts.

In this episode of the Midnight Founders Podcast, we sit down with Kristy Pack, founder of Pack Tax, to talk about building a business, navigating entrepreneurship, and what it really takes to create a company from the ground up. Kristy shares her journey as an entrepreneur, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and her perspective on business, leadership, and financial success. Whether you’re an aspiring founder or already building your own company, this conversation is packed with practical insights and honest stories from the world of entrepreneurship.

In this episode of Midnight Founders, we sit down with Crystalee Beck, founder and CEO of Comma Copywriters and founder of The Mama Ladder. After being laid off while pregnant, Crystalee decided to stop climbing the traditional corporate ladder and build her own—one that allowed her to pursue ambitious business goals without sacrificing her family. Since launching Comma in 2016, Crystalee has grown it into a million-dollar, award-winning content agency while building a team around a “life-first” philosophy. She also created The Mama Ladder to help mothers build businesses and create greater freedom with their time and money. We talk about starting a business from scratch, scaling a service-based company, building a team you can trust, knowing when to let go, balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, and why success doesn't have to come at the expense of the life you actually want. Crystalee's story is a reminder that sometimes the biggest turning points in entrepreneurship come from the moments you never planned for.