‘On the Fly!’ podcast explores the intersection of profit and purpose
Flywheel explains social entrepreneurship in its UC-hosted podcast
It’s entirely possible for businesses to generate profits while driving positive impacts. In fact, the Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub exists to guide startups toward that goal.
The group recently launched its latest podcast, “On the Fly!,” from the 1819 Innovation Hub’s broadcast booth to explore the benefits of social entrepreneurship.
“On the Fly!” emphasizes what Flywheel calls the “double bottom line,” where companies offer both strong returns on investment and positive social impacts. Through casual, friendly conversations with industry professionals at 1819 and beyond, host Joan Kaup hopes to change startup culture for the better.
Pursuing the ‘double bottom line’
Entrepreneurship is thriving in Cincinnati and across the U.S., and many startup founders wonder how to create positive impacts. Through Flywheel’s latest podcast series, the group encourages entrepreneurs to launch and run businesses that prioritize goals beyond the bottom line.
According to Zaring, Flywheel’s executive director, the podcast serves to empower and embolden Greater Cincinnati’s business owners and founders.
Our stories touch on the courage and passion to launch and sustain a social enterprise.
Donna Zaring Executive director, Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub
“Our stories touch on the courage and passion to launch and sustain a social enterprise, recognizing mistakes and knowing when and how to pivot, reasons and rewards for becoming an impact investor and business basics such as finance and personnel management,” Zaring says. “We also hear from community leaders tackling the social and environmental challenges of our region.”
Flywheel’s “double bottom line” philosophy of growing profits and purpose simultaneously drives the podcast forward. It recently guided a partnership between the 1819 Venture Lab and Flywheel where the teams co-led a SustainableCincy startup cohort.
Broadcasting to the world
Flywheel could have gone anywhere to record “On the Fly!,” but it came to 1819. Zaring says, “The 1819 broadcast studio provides state-of-the-art equipment, a convenient location and an intimate space to record a podcast. Recording in the 1819 building provides a backdrop of innovation, community and technology – which is exactly what the guests on show provide in their work.”
The Flywheel team posing at UC's 1819 Innovation Hub. Photo/Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub
Located in 1819’s Esports Innovation Lab, the broadcast booth offers an enriching experience for gamers, corporate partners and startups in the building and others recording podcasts. The facility serves as a home base for various high-impact podcasts, with “On the Fly!” being one of its newest.
Social entrepreneurship is a rapidly growing field, and Zaring and Kaup are helping to guide its growth in Cincinnati. Through the podcast, Kaup is excited to “connect our listeners with the founders, coaches and subject matter experts who have valuable advice and experience to share.”
As “On the Fly!” broadens its audience and introduces business leaders and founders to a novel form of entrepreneurship, Kaup is excited to take listeners along for the ride. “Some episodes will make you laugh out loud,” she says, “but I hope each one also leaves you with a nugget to think about.”
To listen to the latest episodes of “On the Fly!,” head to its pages on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Ready to start your own podcast? Book time at the 1819 broadcast booth to ignite your ideas.
Featured image at top: Kaup leading a podcast in the 1819 broadcast booth. Photo/Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub
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