On this episode of On The Fly!, Flywheel board member and Inclusion Building Solutions founder Byron Stallworth steps in as guest host for a conversation with Brooke Foley, CEO of Jayne Agency and Donna Zaring, Executive Director of Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub. Together, they explore the art and science of brand clarity—and why mastering your pitch matters more than perfecting your slides.

From her early career in Chicago’s high-powered ad world to building a methodology that brings clarity to Fortune 500s and startups alike, Brooke shares her insights into how entrepreneurs can refine their message, practice with intention, and deliver a pitch that resonates—whether it’s to investors, customers, or neighbors at the zoning board.

Listen to hear more about:

• Why your brand’s position and promise form the foundation of every pitch.
• How practice (yes, in front of the bathroom mirror!) transforms nerves into confidence.
• What investors are really listening for when you pitch—and how they assess risk.
• The role of mentorship, coachability, and feedback in winning investment.
• How staying true to your brand strategy protects against scope creep and burnout.

Learn more about Brooke’s work at Jayne Agency and explore her Clarity University offerings at jayneagency.com You can also connect with her on LinkedIn.

Information about Jonathan Preedom can be found at www.jonathanpreedom.com.

At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we know that brand clarity and storytelling are powerful tools for founders balancing profit and purpose. Explore how Flywheel supports social entrepreneurs through coaching, mentorship, and accelerator programs: flywheelcincinnati.org

On The Fly! is sponsored by First Financial Bank
Learn More at bankatfirst.com

What exactly is a Philanthropreneur—and why are they so important to Cincinnati’s startup ecosystem? In this inspiring episode of On The Fly!, host Joan Kaup sits down with Flywheel Executive Director Donna Zaring along with seasoned philanthropreneurs Melisse May, Sandy Hughes and Bob Ziek to explore how combining the mindset of an entrepreneur with the generosity of a philanthropist is transforming our community.

From milestone-based funding for social impact startups to deep mentoring relationships and hands-on board involvement, this is impact investing with heart. You’ll hear how Philanthropreneurs help early-stage founders scale their ideas into sustainable enterprises—and why you don’t need to be a millionaire to make a difference.

Listen to hear more about:

• The origins of Flywheel’s trademarked Philanthropreneur® program
• How $500 “Changemaker” opportunities open the door to impact investing
• Why milestone stipends are game-changers for early-stage founders
• Success stories like Last Mile Food Rescue and Cincinnati Recycling & ReUse Hub
• The personal rewards of seeing your investment multiply through community impact

Call to Action:
At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we connect social entrepreneurs with the coaches, investors, and resources they need to thrive. Whether you want to be a $500 ChangeMaker or a $5,000 Philanthropreneur, there’s a seat at the table for you. Learn more at flywheelcincinnati.org.

On The Fly! is sponsored by First Financial Bank
Learn More at bankatfirst.com

In this forward-looking episode of On The Fly!, Flywheel’s Program Director Samuel Baker sits down with Cincinnati City Council Member Meeka Owens. Elected in 2021, Meeka is helping lead one of the first local government climate committees in the nation to prioritize sustainability, racial equity, and measurable results.

From updating the Green Cincinnati Plan to centering equity in climate action and launching the city’s first Housing Stabilization Hackathon, Meeka shares how innovation and government can—and must—work together to address housing, climate change, and community resilience.

Listen to hear more about:

• How climate policy intersects with housing, transportation, and quality of life
• The 3 S’s of affordable housing: stabilization, subsidy, and stock
• How Cincinnati used its first-ever Impact Award to address eviction prevention
• The role of hackathons in creating tech-enabled housing solutions
• Why government, entrepreneurs, and social services must collaborate to solve systemic issues

Call to Action:
At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we believe in bringing together innovators, policymakers, and community leaders to solve our city’s toughest challenges. Learn how we’re helping founders build sustainable, equitable solutions at flywheelcincinnati.org.

On The Fly! is sponsored by First Financial Bank
Learn More at bankatfirst.com

What does it look like when a company brews more than beer, it brews lasting impact? In this energizing episode of On The Fly! host Joan Kaup welcomes Rhiannon Hoeweler, VP of Experience & Impact at MadTree Brewing, a Cincinnati-based company redefining what a brewery can be. From composting and green energy to urban tree planting and employee-led volunteering, MadTree is leading by example as Ohio’s first and only Certified B Corporation brewery.

Rhiannon shares how MadTree went from a garage startup to a three-location force for sustainability and equity. With a bold goal of delivering $5 million in community impact by 2030, this isn’t just a craft beer brand — it’s a full-fledged social enterprise.

Listen to hear more about:

• What it takes to become a Certified B Corp and why it matters
• How MadTree integrates environmental and social impact into every aspect of its operations
• How MadTree’s internal culture of volunteering and green values attracts talent
• Lessons for emerging entrepreneurs on patience, progress, and building a vision over time

Learn more:

• MadTree and their taproom locations, events, and impact stories:
• MadTree Brewing, Instagram, and LinkedIn
• Mad Tree’s annual tree-planting events: Let’s Grow Local
• Nonprofit partners: Strategies to End Homelessness

At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we love partnering with companies like MadTree that blend vision with accountability, community with commerce. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or just someone who loves seeing good business done well, learn how Flywheel supports social innovation at flywheelcincinnati.org.

On The Fly! is sponsored by First Financial Bank
Learn More at bankatfirst.com

In this dynamic episode of On The Fly!, Flywheel Executive Director Donna Zaring sits down with Liz Keating, former Cincinnati City Council member and current VP of Government Affairs at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, to explore how civic innovation can thrive when entrepreneurs and policymakers join forces.

From tackling litter and recycling to addressing eviction and housing instability, Liz shares how hackathons—intensive, solution-driven events—are changing the way governments approach problem-solving. With Flywheel as a key partner, these collaborations have not only led to community-wide improvements but have sparked new startups, fostered empathy, and reimagined how public funding can drive long-term, people-first impact.

Listen to hear more about:

• How a groups co-created winning solutions to Cincinnati’s litter problem
• The birth of the Cleanup Cart from Product Refinery, a startup launched through a Flywheel hackathon
• Why housing stabilization is an economic, human, and entrepreneurial issue, and how Cincinnati piloted an innovative grant to prevent eviction
• The ripple effect of bringing together government, community, and entrepreneurs to solve shared challenges
• How policies around childcare, housing, and transit connect directly to workforce growth and business success

Mentioned in this episode:

• Product Refinery – Startup that developed the Cleanup Cart
• Strategies to End Homelessness – Partner in the housing stabilization hackathon
• Main Street Ventures – Funders supporting startups born from civic innovation

At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we believe entrepreneurs are some of our greatest problem solvers. From the litter on our streets to the housing crisis in our neighborhoods, Flywheel brings together innovation, empathy, and real-world application to drive double-bottom-line solutions. Learn how to get involved or support our mission at flywheelcincinnati.org.

On The Fly! is sponsored by First Financial Bank
Learn More at bankatfirst.com

What do native pollinators, backyard blooms, and AI-powered problem solving have in common? In this buzzing episode of On The Fly!, Paul Szydlowski dives deep with Flywheel alumni Brandon Reynolds and Johnny Avant—two founders turning passion for nature and human behavior into powerful, purpose-driven ventures.

From B The Keeper, a Cincinnati-based ecological landscaping business, to Sprout, a growing tech company making knowledge more accessible for everyday problem-solvers, these entrepreneurs are rethinking how we build sustainable systems—from the soil up.

Listen to hear more about:

• How B The Keeper evolved from backyard beehives to city-wide pollinator habitats
• The birth of Sprout—a tool that connects lived experience with automation to solve everyday problems
• Why coaching is the “secret sauce” of Flywheel’s accelerator model
• How real-world tension and pivoting can clarify a founder’s vision
• The intersection of AI, cognitive science, and conservation—and what it means for the future of local ecosystems

Check them out online:

🐝 B The Keeper: bthekeeper.co | Instagram: @b_thekeeper

🌱 Sprout: gosprout.us

At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we don’t just talk innovation, we cultivate it. From backyard gardens to bold tech ventures, we support founders with the coaching, structure, and community they need to create lasting impact. Learn how to get involved, join a cohort, or support our mission at flywheelcincinnati.org

On The Fly! is sponsored by First Financial Bank
Learn More at bankatfirst.com

In this lively episode of On The Fly!, Donna Zaring sits down with two passionate builders shaping the next generation of social entrepreneurship: Josie Dalton, the originator of Flywheel’s accelerator programming and now at the UC Center for Entrepreneurship, and Samuel Baker, current Program Director at Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub.

Together, they reflect on what it takes to support founders who are building with both purpose and grit. From unlocking capital in an underserved middle space to showing up emotionally for dreamers with world-changing ideas, Josie and Samuel share the backstage realities of running programs that turn community-minded entrepreneurs into impact-driven leaders.

Listen to hear more about:

• The evolution of Flywheel’s cohort model and the early days of social enterprise in Cincinnati
• The unique funding challenges social entrepreneurs face, and how Flywheel is bridging the gap
• How mission-driven founders are reshaping what entrepreneurship looks like and why “crazy passion” is a feature, not a bug
• Why emotional intelligence, not just business acumen, is a critical ingredient in supporting entrepreneurs
• PLUS some unexpected real-life behind-the-scenes moments

Whether you're a founder, mentor, or future coach, this episode offers a powerful reminder: creating change is messy, personal, and totally worth it.

At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we believe in coaching the whole entrepreneur—not just the business plan. Our programs give social impact founders the structure, community, and belief they need to scale good ideas into real results. Learn how you can get involved, support our work, or become part of a cohort at flywheelcincinnati.org.

On The Fly! is sponsored by First Financial Bank
Learn More at bankatfirst.com

In this energizing and eye-opening episode of On The Fly!, Donna Zaring is joined by two powerhouse leaders in the world of impact investing: Marcia Dawood, Vice Chair of the SEC’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee and author of Do Good While Doing Well, and Sue Bevan Baggott, executive advisor, innovation catalyst, and contributor to You Can, You Will.

Together, they break down what angel investing really means and why putting your dollars (and time!) into purpose-driven startups is one of the most meaningful ways to drive change.

From their work on the award-winning documentary Show Her the Money to supporting women founders and redefining who gets funded and why, Marcia and Sue are reshaping the investing landscape and proving that profit and purpose don’t have to be opposites, they can be partners.

Listen to hear more about:

• What angel investing is and why it matters for social entrepreneurs
• Why more women and everyday people should step into the investing space
• Real examples of startups disrupting systems in women’s health, mental health, and community finance
• The power of equity crowdfunding
• The story behind the award-winning documentary Show Her the Money and how storytelling is helping close the gender funding gap

Explore Marcia’s work at marciadawood.com, and learn more about Sue on LinkedIn.

At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we believe in the power of social entrepreneurs and the angels who champion them. Whether you're ready to invest or just eager to learn, explore how Flywheel supports founders, educates investors, and fuels social impact at flywheelcincinnati.org.

On The Fly! is sponsored by First Financial Bank
Learn More at bankatfirst.com