Henry Harrison welcomes listeners to the Entrepreneurs, Business & Finance podcast. He introduces his guest, John Cornelsen, a long-time friend and successful entrepreneur. Henry and John reminisce about their 20+ years of friendship and shared experiences.

Resources:

Episode - https://henryharrison.com/john-cornelsen-evolving-texas-indigo-yoga-juggle/

Indigo Yoga - https://www.indigoyoga.net/

Juggle Tribe - https://www.juggletribe.com/

Juggle Apps - https://www.juggleapps.com/

Evolving TX - https://www.evolvingtexas.com/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncornelsen/

Episode Highlights:

Introduction to John Cornelsen:

Founder of Evolving Texas and Partner at Indigo.

Background in civil engineering.

Overcame significant challenges to become the first in his family to graduate from college at age 38.

Early Entrepreneurial Spirit:

John shares childhood stories, including his newspaper collection business and lawn care service.

Discussion on how these early experiences shaped his entrepreneurial mindset.

Journey into Civil Engineering:

Inspired by his father's career at Carter and Burgess.

Worked his way up in the industry, learning from mentors like Fred Whistle and Skip Schmidt.

Overcame challenges and gained invaluable experience working on projects for Walmart and other major clients.

Building Evolving Texas:

Founded Evolving Texas in 2009.

Overview of the company's focus on land development design and major projects.

Introduction of Samantha Renz as CEO and Ron Ramirez as President.

Indigo Yoga Studio:

Transition from civil engineering to owning a yoga studio.

Partnership with Brooke Hamlet and later, Sandra McLaughlin.

Emphasis on creating a community refuge through yoga.

Juggle - John's Latest Venture:

Focus on combating loneliness and fostering intentional connections.

Challenges and learnings in developing a software solution to promote real-life interactions.

Importance of Relationships:

Discussion on the role of relationships in John's success.

Personal anecdotes highlighting the value of community and networking.

Leadership in Entrepreneurs Organization (EO):

Founding of the EO Fort Worth chapter.

Impact of EO on John's entrepreneurial journey.

Overcoming Obstacles:

John shares personal and professional challenges he has faced.

Insights on taking responsibility, learning from conflicts, and giving oneself grace.

Key Takeaways:

Entrepreneurship often starts early, with childhood ventures laying the foundation for future success.

Mentorship and relationships are crucial in navigating the entrepreneurial journey.

Diversifying ventures can lead to unexpected and fulfilling opportunities.

Addressing social issues, like loneliness, can be a driving force behind innovative business ideas.

Leadership roles in organizations like EO can significantly impact personal and professional growth.