TIP Talks

In this week's episode of TIP Talks, we are joined by none other than Alden Warr!

Alden has spent his career advising, and investing in leadership at fast-growing, private companies.

After graduating with accounting and finance degrees from Texas A&M, Alden led all accounting and finance functions for Essentium, Inc. During Alden’s tenure, the company’s revenue grew by over 16X, and it gained international recognition as one of the fastest growing and most important players in 3D printing before being acquired by Nexa3D.

Following his time at Essentium, Alden helped found an algorithmic hedge fund that was quickly acquired by a Houston-based private equity firm.

Next Alden co-founded VoCo technologies which helped pioneer the use of voice-controlled, artificial intelligence for healthcare in the senior living industry. In only a couple of years, VoCo’s technology spread across the country and was then acquired in 2022.

Along the way, Alden also co-founded ALT Investments which launched an accelerator to invest in and partner with student entrepreneurs and guide them through the process of building and scaling a company.

Alden has received numerous recognitions for his work, including being named a Top 100 Healthcare Leader by the International Forum for Advancements in Healthcare and a recipient of the 12 Under 12 Young Alumni Spotlight Award honoring the top 12 graduates from Texas A&M who graduated in the last 12 years.

Lastly, Alden serves as a valued board member of the Tyler Innovation Pipeline!

If you enjoyed this episode of TIP Talks and would like to support our mission, please consider doing so in the link below. Thank you!

www.tylerinnovators.com

Join us this week as we cover the story of the visionary mind that gave us the iPod - Tony Fadell!

If you believe in innovation and would like to support Tyler Innovation Pipeline, please consider giving or becoming a member in the link below. Thank you!

www.tylerinnovators.com

This week, we take flight with two pioneers that dared to dream and soared to success - The Wright Brothers!

If you enjoyed this episode of TIP Talks and would like to support Tyler Innovation Pipeline, please check out the link below! Thank you!

www.tylerinnovators.com

In this week's episode of TIP Talks, we highlight non other than inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, and futurist, Nikola Tesla. Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this episode of TIP Talks and would like to support Tyler Innovation Pipeline, please consider joining as a member or a supporter in the link below. Thank you!

www.tylerinnovators.com

In this episode of TIP Talks, we highlight Bette Nesmith, American typist, commercial artist, and the inventor of liquid paper now known as Whiteout! Enjoy!

If you believe in innovation and would like to support Tyler Innovation Pipeline and our mission, please consider giving or becoming a member in the link below! Thank you!

www.tylerinnovators.com

Today’s guest is Bethany Owens of Salmon Lake Park, a 115 acre hidden gem in the heart of East Texas, with a 2 acre sand bottom, spring-fed swimming lake surrounded by cabins, campgrounds, playgrounds, meeting halls and a old west town. Salmon Lake park is not only a unique camping destination, but also a prime space for events of all sorts!

The park property was originally the homestead of Floyd and Fannie Salmon.  They owned a house moving business and ran cattle on the property.  In order to create a watering hole for the cattle, Floyd dammed the spring-fed creek that ran through the property and created “Salmon Lake”.  The Lake was a popular place for his daughter’s friends to come out and swim.  Eventually, he opened the lake to the public for swimming.   

In the mid 70’s, as a bluegrass aficionado, and at the suggestion of his friend Earl Garner, Floyd installed a stage and RV/camping spaces throughout the property kicking off the annual Bluegrass festival.  Capitalizing on the success and popularity of the Bluegrass Festival, Floyd later added a second Gospel Bluegrass Festival. The majority of the Park’s early years were employed solely during the summer for the two festivals and local swimming hole. 

Floyd and Fannie managed the Park well into their 80’s.  Floyd maintained his visionary approach toward the park, always working on the next unique feature.  After Floyd’s passing, Fannie was moved to a nursing home and the park was sold by his daughters to the Powers Family in 2018.   

Upon taking the park over, the Powers family made numerous capital improvements in the park including the addition of The Slide and the beautiful new bathhouse.  Their diligence and tireless efforts in maintaining and improving the property put the Park on a positive trajectory.  After many prayers and discussions with family, they made the decision in 2020 to explore the prospect of selling the property to another family who would continue their efforts and maintain the family friendly atmosphere the park espoused since its inception. 

On May 1, 2020, the Owens family came to the park to “get away” from the cabin fever they were experiencing due to the Covid lock-downs that had been imposed the previous 6 weeks.  They fell in love with the park and what started as a weekend getaway turned into full time RVing through the summer.  During the course of that time, they got to know the Powers and began to discuss buying the park.  On November of 2020, the Owens family officially carried on the torch Mr. Salmon lit many years ago.  As the current owners, the Owens have many plans to continue the infrastructure upgrades along with adding new camping features and festivals. 

Trent and Bethany Owens met after graduating from Texas A&M in the early 2000’s.  As they both spent many family vacations at campgrounds growing up, they found they had a mutual love of the outdoors and have since spent many days hiking, camping and enjoying the beautiful world the Lord created.  Primitive camping is one of their favorite past-times and camping in hammocks is their primary gear choice.  Due to their upbringing, they decided they too would raise their children to love and appreciate the camping lifestyle as much as they do.  With the ability to incorporate their favorite past-time into their daily life, the move to Salmon Lake was an easy transition.  They find some of the best family memories are made exploring God’s creation. 

For more Salmon Lake Park, to book a visit or if you are looking for an incredible event space, check out the links below!

Salmon Lake Park Website

www.salmonlakeresort.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/SalmonLakePark/

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@salmonlakeparkresort3596

If you enjoyed this episode of TIP Talks and believe in what the Tyler Innovation Pipeline is doing, please considering supporting us through membership of giving in the link below. Thank you!

Tyler Innovation Pipeline

https://www.tylerinnovators.com/

In this episode of TIP Talks, we are joined by none other than City of Tyler Mayor Don Warren!

Don Warren was first elected on Nov. 3, 2020, as Mayor of Tyler. He is now in his second term. He is a native Tylerite and has been an oil and gas professional for the last 40 years. He is the owner of Lomoco, Inc., a small oil and gas asset management firm he formed in 1994.

Don has a strong record of public service, having served as the council member for District 4 for three consecutive terms. He currently serves as a Board Member for the Tyler Junior College Foundation, and Hispanic Business Alliance and is an Auxiliary Board Member for the Soules School of Business at the University of Texas at Tyler. He is also a Community Board Member of the Nurse-Family Partnership at UT Health. Don serves on the Behavioral Health Leadership Team, the Mayor’s Homelessness and Poverty Roundtable, Catalyst 100, the Housing Council for East Texas Human Needs Network, and is an advocate for parks and quality of life projects within the City. He is a member of the Tyler Economic Development Council and a member of the Rotary Club of South Tyler.

If you enjoyed this episode and believe in what we are doing, please consider supporting Tyler Innovation Pipeline through membership or giving in the link below!

Thank you!

Efrayim Levenson is a poet, artists, gardener and actor based in Tyler, TX. Over 100 of his poems have been published, including 3 chapbooks available on Amazon: "Dances With Tears", "Funhouse" and "Book Of Sparks: Psalms For A New World". His framed art poems are frequently displayed and for sale at local craft and art fairs and events, including here at Tyler Innovation Pipeline!

If you enjoyed this episode of TIP Talks and would like to see more of Levenson's work, please check out the links below!

Website:

www.efrayimlevenson.com

Instagram:

@mynewlife75701

If you believe in the Tyler Innovation Pipeline and our growing community of entrepreneurs, creators and innovators, please consider supporting us through membership or giving in the link below. Thank you!

Tyler Innovation Pipeline

www.tylerinnovators.com

Curt Gunz is a family and Kid Show Performer. In addition to performing in numerous events across the land, he also leads and hosts an impressive Membership site for Family Show Performers teaching and sharing skills with magicians, entertainers and performers all over the world. Last, but certainly not least, Curt is a Tyler Innovation Pipeline champion. A valued member of the Innovation Pipeline, a seasoned entrepreneur, a highly talented entertainer, and just an all around solid person, please enjoy this episode of TIP Talks with Family Show Pro's Curt Gunz!

If you enjoyed this episode of TIP Talks and would like to learn more about Family Show Pro, Professor QB and more, please check out the links below!

Family Show Pro:

http://FamilyShowPro.com

FaceBook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FamilyShowProGroup

If you believe in the Tyler Innovation Pipeline and our growing community of entrepreneurs, creators and innovators, please consider supporting us through membership or giving in the link below. Thank you!

Tyler Innovation Pipeline

https://www.tylerinnovators.com/

This weeks episode features Gleaux Girl's Callie Colston!

Callie Colston is the founder and owner of Gleaux Girl. Callie has been designing, thrifting and creating for as long as she can remember and consides it an absolute blessing to be able to share her passion with others and to make a living while doing it. Gleaux Girl is a collaboration of top-of-the-line custom hats, thrifted vintage clothing, on-trend, new clothing, jewelry, and much more. Callie strives to create and provide pieces that are something her customers are proud to wear. Gleaux Girl was established officially in the spring of 2021 and Callie has had the honor of creating many custom hats for her amazing customers. There’s been tons of growth and opportunity presented and we can’t wait to see what the future has in store for Gleaux Girl.

If you enjoy this episode of TIP Talks and would like to support our guest, please check out the links below!

www.Gleauxgirletx.Com

Instagram@gleauxgirl_etx

Twitter@girlgleaux

https://www.facebook.com/gleauxgirl

If you enjoy what Tyler Innovation Pipeline is doing and would like to support us, please check us out in the links below!

https://www.tylerinnovators.com

https://www.instagram.com/tylerinnovators/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/TylerInnovationPipeline/

In this episode of TIP Talks, we are joined by local entrepreneurs and longtime TIP members, Michael and Nikki Brown of Willowcreek Custom Knives, Willowcreek Wood Crafts and Creative Vision Coaching.

Willowcreek Custom Knives is a family owned and operated business in the heart of the piney woods of East Texas. Chief craftsman, Michael Brown has a life-long love of outdoor activities and 12 years of experience as a scout leader. Mike thoroughly enjoys creating these custom works of art that are also durable and practical. They love helping make special days even more memorable. If you are looking for a unique gift idea for a wedding, Mother’s or Father’s Day, graduation, birthday, etc. this is the place! They offer engraving, custom boxes, and personal gift-wrapping services to add an extra special touch.

With Creative Vision Coaching, Michel and Nikki host training and coaching workshops, both personal and group, using creativity to increase self-development.

If you enjoy this episode and would like to support Michael and Nikki, please check out the links below.

www.cavcoaching.com

www.coachnikkib.com

www.Willowcreekcustomknives.com

www.willowcreekwoodcrafts.com

If you enjoy the TIP Talks Podcast and would like to further support Tyler Innovation Pipeline, please visit the links below!

https://www.tylerinnovators.com

https://www.facebook.com/TylerInnovationPipeline/

https://www.instagram.com/tylerinnovators/?hl=en

Thank you!

In this week of TIP Talks, we are joined by Stephanie Herrington of Fandom Decal Designs!

The idea for Fandom Decal Designs was born in 2016, practically overnight, after offering to partner with a friend and sell decals as add-ons for their small business; however, I was told to get my own shop.  So...I did.

​I have a full time job and a family that demand much of my time, but this small business has been my creative outlet that keeps me sane.

​What started as an Etsy shop continues to grow and evolve.  It's time to expand outside of the virtual walls of Etsy and move to bigger, better, exciting (and yes even scary!) endeavors.

If you enjoy this episode and would like to support Fandom Decal Designs, check out the links below!

https://www.fandomdecaldesigns.com

https://www.facebook.com/fandomdecaldesigns/

https://www.instagram.com/fandomdecaldesigns/

If you enjoy what Tyler Innovation Pipeline is doing, please consider supporting us on our mission to equip our community to bring their ideas, businesses and dreams to life!

https://www.tylerinnovators.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TylerInnovationPipeline/

https://www.instagram.com/tylerinnovators/?hl=en

Owners and operators of I AM Seasoning , Bill and Deborah Gilcrease, met and married while in culinary school in the 90's.

Their desire to minister in Africa was birthed through friends who were long time missionaries. Since that time, The Lord has opened many opportunities of ministry in Africa.

Using their creative culinary background, Bill and Deborah developed their delicious blend of herbs and spices into I AM Seasoning, a growing local cottage kitchen company. They knew from the beginning that they would use this company to help support the missions' organizations in Africa that are near and dear to their heart.

I AM Seasoning co-owner, Bill Gilcrease, has had opportunity to travel abroad to Kenya, Uganda and has plans for Togo in the near future. I AM Seasoning works with ministries in these areas who support children's schools, pregnant women, women's training programs, orphanages, and surgeries to restore eyesight. As the business grows, our plan is for I AM Seasoning to continue to benefit these ministries, as well as give us the ability to bring more hands-on ministry. To accomplish this, we will be traveling and spending more time on the ground, one on one with leaders of the African ministries; along with giving life skills and job training to those who are being ministered to. 

Thank you for supporting I AM Seasoning!

If you enjoy this episode of TIP Talks, and would like to support and/or purchase I AM Seasoning, please follow the links below!

https://iamseasoning.com/

https://www.iamseasoning.org

https://www.instagram.com/iamseasoning/

https://www.facebook.com/IAMSeasoning/

Lastly, if you like what were doing and would like to participate in our mission, please support us in the links below. Thank you!

https://www.tylerinnovators.com

https://www.facebook.com/TylerInnovationPipeline/

https://www.instagram.com/tylerinnovators/?hl=en

In this series titled "Innovative Origins", Board Chair of the Tyler Innovation Pipeline, local entrepreneur, local author and host of The Jason Wright show, Jason Wright, takes us through the backstory, the history and the innovative origins of some of the most well known names and brands in the world.

This weeks innovative spotlight; Kodak.

If you enjoy this episode and would like to support Tyler Innovation Pipeline on our mission to foster, grow and support the culture of innovation in our community, please like, share, subscribe and consider supporting us!

https://www.tylerinnovators.com

https://www.instagram.com/tylerinnovators/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/TylerInnovationPipeline/

Romereo Brown is the founder and CEO of the clothing brand Weird and Different which was started in 2020. Growing up, Romereo was bullied because he was born deaf in his right ear. His peers would tease him and call him names like mush mouth which is a character from the popular show "Fat Albert". Romereo embraced his uniqueness and launched himself into entrepreneurship after studying business at Tyler Junior College. His fortitude has led him to create a brand that represents the reinvention of those hurtful words directed to him by his peers, in a way that embraces the oddness in individuals. Weird and Different was created to make everyone feel confident in who they are. Romereo's vision for this brand is to be able to help everyone who shops with Weird and Different to love themselves authentically and celebrate their individuality.

Please consider supporting Romereo on his mission to inspire the confident uniqueness in us all. Weird & Different links below!

https://weirdndifferent.com/

https://www.instagram.com/weirdndifferent/?hl=en

https://www.tiktok.com/@weird_different?lang=en

Also, if you would enjoyed this episode and would like to support Tyler Innovation Pipeline in our mission to foster and grow the culture of innovation, please like, share, subscribe and consider supporting us!

https://www.tylerinnovators.com

https://www.instagram.com/tylerinnovators/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/TylerInnovationPipeline/

On this episode, I have the honor of a great conversation with my friend and true TIP champion, Nathan Lamaster. 

Nathan is a nationally Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) from Tyler, Tx who has started a handful of both TR and non-TR businesses throughout his career. His current TR businesses are SMART CEUs Hub (an online, NCTRC pre-approved source for Recreational Therapy continuing education), CEU Cloud (a mobile phone application for managing your continuing education transcripts/CEUs), and the Rec Therapy Directory (an ultimate resource site for Recreational Therapists). He also has a passion for seeing TR entrepreneurship grow and is both the author of the book “The Entrepreneur Rec Therapist: The Business Education You Missed In School” as well as the creator/moderator for the TR Entrepreneur Connection Facebook group that connects RT entrepreneurs/educates them. 

Besides these TR businesses, he is also the inventor/creator of the Pill Puncher which is a medical device that opens up blister packs of medication both effectively and sanitarily. 

During his career as a practitioner in Recreational Therapy, he has held jobs in both clinical and community Recreational Therapy settings. He has worked in Skilled Nursing and Behavioral Health, and did his internship in Parks and Recreation and Physical Rehabilitation. Nathan is also involved in volunteering in Young Life Capernaum, (a Christian ministry for teens who have developmental disabilities) and KVNE (the local Christian radio station that his wife works for).

Thanks for tuning into Tip Talks. Today we have the pleasure of interviewing local entrepreneur and philanthropist, John Walton. John is a long-time member of the innovation pipeline, and has developed his business into helping non-profits. Listen to his story, and learn how you can get involved in this incredible service opportunity.  

Thanks for tuning into TIP Talks. Today we have the pleasure of interviewing local artist and teacher, Addie Moore. Listen to Addie's story on how ETX Creatives was established and the future goals she has for the group. Learn how you can get involved and see that there is a community of like-minded creatives ready for you to join and support.

Thanks For Tuning into Tip Talks. Today we have the pleasure of interviewing a tag team of seasoned travelers who tell their stories on their podcast Soul Treasures from the Open Road. John Seiple and Jon Florendo met at a local restaurant and began sharing stories. Many years later after hearing about the Innovation Pipeline, they decided to document those stories through a series of podcasts and Youtube episodes. Listen to their story, and how they became content creators.