The David Noble Show

David Noble

David Noble is the Director of The Werth Institute of Entrepreneurship at The University of Connecticut. read less
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Episodes

Episode 24 -- Shannon Allen
13-11-2024
Episode 24 -- Shannon Allen
Shannon Allen is a dynamic entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the wife of NBA legend Ray Allen, but her journey is far from defined by her marriage alone. As the founder of Grown, a fast-casual restaurant concept focused on serving healthy, organic, and locally sourced food, Shannon has become a passionate advocate for wellness and sustainable food practices. Grown was born from Shannon’s desire to make nutritious, great-tasting food accessible to everyone, especially in underserved communities. Through her work, Shannon has transformed the way people think about fast food, blending her entrepreneurial spirit with a deep commitment to improving public health.   Before venturing into the world of entrepreneurship, Shannon had a thriving career in the music industry. As a singer, she honed her craft and found her voice as an artist, gaining valuable experience that would later inform her work in business and community outreach. Her time in the music world shaped her creativity and provided the foundation for her determination to create something impactful. Beyond her work with Grown, Shannon is a devoted mother, a committed partner to Ray, and an advocate for health and wellness, using her platform to inspire others to live healthier lives. Through it all, Shannon has remained focused on her mission to create change, whether through her business, her family, or her philanthropic efforts.   To learn more about Grown, check out Shannon’s website here: https://www.grown.org/our-story
Episode 21 -- Marcus Glover & Erika Sykes
23-10-2024
Episode 21 -- Marcus Glover & Erika Sykes
Marcus Glover is a veteran Fund Manager who has a track record of investing and advising minority- and women-led companies. He previously founded and served as a Partner of M.Glover Capital and SouthBox Ventures, and has invested and launched 16 portfolio companies with 3 successful exits.   Marcus is a champion of Criminal Justice Reform and has led efforts to reduce barriers to employment for formerly incarcerated people through Fair Chance hiring. He serves on the National Board of Directors of Defy Ventures, an organization which advocates for criminal justice reform and lowering recidivism through entrepreneurship and business ownership. Marcus also serves on the Advisory Board of TIME Inc.   His experience also encompasses Impact and Social Justice, and he serves as an Advisor of Certified B Corporation, BMW Responsible Leaders Network, Greyston Bakery and the Center for Open Hiring. He has served in a variety of advisory roles, including with WeWork Labs and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).   Erika Sykes is a native of Buffalo, NY, and the founder of Go-To-E, LLC. Her inspiration was very simple. Some of her close friends who happened to be professional athletes needed help. She noticed that the demands of being professional athletes made it extremely hard to manage their everyday lives.   Through years of experience working within a variety of team settings, a top sports agency and managing various athletes she became very skilled at helping individuals achieve balance. Her passion for helping athletes connect with their communities and establish themselves outside of the demands of their respective talents, Sykes' vision would help athletes succeed far beyond the triumphs of the game!   Erika moved to Cleveland where she worked at Klutch Sports Group,LLC as an Executive Assistant providing high-level administrative support to NBA Agent Rich Paul. At Klutch she worked closely under Mr. Paul learning the ins and outs of the sports business.   On a day-to-day basis Erika interacted with clients such as LeBron James, Eric Bledsoe, Norris Cole, Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph.   You can connect with Erika on socials @erikasykes_ or by visiting her website at https://www.go-to-e.com/