Poole Startup Stories

The startup video series are dedicated to highlighting the journey of entrepreneurs. Tag along as we learn more about the grit and passion it takes to launch the great idea.

Poole Startup Stories: Sani

We sat down with the Sani founders, Ritika (Textiles ’23) and Niki Shamdasani to discuss their growth from formalwear to loungewear during the pandemic, finding a community that celebrates South Asian culture through social media and their time in the Andrews Launch Accelerator.

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Poole Startup Stories: Bee Downtown

An introductory beekeeping class at NC State inspired alumna Leigh-Kathryn Bonner (B.A. international studies ’15) to pursue a career in finding sustainable urban environments for local bees. Bonner breaks down her entrepreneurial journey at NC State and her passion to stop the bee population decline.

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Poole Startup Stories: 321 Coffee

Lindsay Wrege (B.S. business administration ’21) and Michael Evans (B.S. statistics ’20), who met through the Park Scholarships community at NC State, discuss how they provide employees with disabilities a meaningful way to contribute to society.

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Poole Startup Stories: Two Roosters Ice Cream

Jared Plummer (B.S. accounting ‘05, B.S. finance ’05, MAC ’07), started his career in a traditional manner: A few years at a Big 4 public accounting firm, then, eventually, a move to a local firm. Plummer’s business journey began with tinkering with homemade ice cream in his spare time, which grew to a beloved local chain of ice cream shops.

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Poole Startup Stories: Jarrett Bay Boatworks

When many dreamed of becoming a firefighter, dancer or police officer, Randy Ramsey knew he wanted to become a charter boat captain. Ramsey, the founder of Jarrett Bay Boatworks, discusses humble beginnings that grew into a premier builder of sportfishing boats.

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Poole Startup Stories: Tethis and Next Century Spirits

Scott Bolin (MBA ’00) dives into his career from the Technology, Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (TEC) program to becoming the co-founder of Tethis, a biopolymer supplier revolutionizing the personal hygiene market.

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Poole Startup Stories: Andrews Ventures LLC

NC State alumnus Robert “Chip” Andrews (Economics ‘66), former chairman and CEO of FMI Corporation, sat down with us to talk about just that, as well as his path into the business world and how to be an effective leader.

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