Abby Lane, Chérie Lane

kathy_carrBaylor Grad

“The hardest part is deciding to just go for it.“

-Abby Lane

When will English Lit ever be used outside of the classroom? Seriously, it’s not like everyone just walks around saying, “Spring is the time of year when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade.”

Or what about calculus. For the love… There’s simply no way to incorporate calculus into any real-world situation.

Yup, the age-old ponderings of students everywhere as they suffer through seemingly useless classes along the journey to a coveted diploma.

It makes one wonder if there is any way a class could possibly be so transformative that it completely challenges the life-long trajectory of a student.

Well, actually, yes it is very possible. Just ask Abby Lane.

Abby grew up in Spokane, WA. Her mom ran a Christian Montessori school, and her dad was in banking. So, she knew a thing or two about business. As a matter of fact, Abby started her own jewelry business when she was just seven. Now, this wasn’t the classic elastic band and plastic bead jewelry. This was the real deal. Abby took jewelry classes. She had a website, business cards and order forms. This kiddo meant business.

Not one to sit still for long, Abby progressed from jewelry to participating in Your Journey Project her junior year of high school. And in her senior year she was part of Women in Entrepreneurship. Abby definitely had the proverbial entrepreneurial spark.

But when it came to picking out a college, there weren’t necessarily any family traditions to uphold. Abby’s dad went to UNLV and her mom went to Iowa State. What was overwhelmingly clear is Abby wanted to leave snowy winters behind her. Baylor was just one of the many universities that Abby considered. Deciding factors in favor for a move to Waco were the warmer climate (toodle-oo, snow!), Baylor’s Christian foundation and the renowned reputation of both the Hankamer School of Business and Baylor Entrepreneurship.

As a freshman, Abby lived in the Business & Innovation Living Learning Community in Brooks Flats and enrolled in BUS3301 Entrepreneurship Living & Learning class taught by Professor Shaun Limbers. This was Abby’s first collegiate introduction to entrepreneurship. That entrepreneurial spark was lighting up for sure. Abby decided on a triple major with Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Supply Chain. During the next couple of years, Abby was active on campus by participating in SING and FM72. But an especially pivotal moment came during her senior year in Professor Jim Key’s ENT4322 Entrepreneurship Capstone class. It was during this class that Abby pitched a business idea as her senior capstone project. It was also during this class that Chérie Lane became more than just a capstone project.

Chérie Lane is an online specialty apparel and accessory boutique with an array of classy, timeless and sparkly pieces that will surely spice up any special occasion. By the time Abby graduated, Chérie Lane was still in the very early stages, so Abby began working full time for an oil and gas company. Chérie Lane was still a priority, but momentarily a side gig. Two years later during the summer of 2024, Abby quit her day job to commit full time to Chérie Lane.

Abby put her marketing skills to work by creating video and reel content for social media. However, influencer marketing was expensive. Lacking the capital to pay cash for an influencer, Abby gave an influencer a $20 dress. After just one online photo of the influencer wearing the dress, Chérie Lane online orders exploded. Abby received 750 orders from that one photo.

Abby continues to do a bit of influencer marketing, but she feels that customers want to do business with a person and not an entity. With that in mind, she is actively engaged in a VIP Facebook group that is steeped in authenticity. Abby has big plans for Chérie Lane, and she is enjoying every step of the way.

While the journey with Chérie Lane hasn’t always been easy, Abby explains, “The hardest part is deciding to just go for it.”

Charles Dickens may have had the beauty of sun and shade with spring, but we have beauty of style and sparkle with Chérie Lane. Sic ‘em, Abby!

a hidden gem

kathy_carrBaylor ENT Professor


“While traveling abroad with Baylor Business in Europe,
I witnessed firsthand the transformative influence
different cultures can have on the student learning experience.
To be able to bring that into the classroom is a great opportunity.”

~ Lee Grumbles, Clinical Assistant Professor

Baylor Entrepreneurship is somewhat of a hidden gem on the Baylor University campus. It’s not the largest discipline in Hankamer School of Business. It doesn’t have the notoriety and recruitment presence like some of the others. It doesn’t even make Hankamer’s Top 5 Most Popular BBA Majors.

However, what makes this gem sparkle and shine is its steadfast commitment and dedication to the study, teaching and practice of new venture creation and development. But what adds a dash of glitter to that sparkle and shine is the fact that Baylor Entrepreneurship is consistently ranked a top 10 program, both nationally and globally. In the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings for Best Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Programs, Baylor Entrepreneurship is currently ranked No. 8, making this the fifteenth consecutive year of a top 10 ranking. The 2024 TCU Global University Entrepreneurship Research Productivity Rankings placed Baylor Entrepreneurship in the No. 4 spot.

The glitter of Baylor Entrepreneurship didn’t happen overnight. There have been hours and hours of program planning, research, teaching and mentoring. Baylor Entrepreneurship faculty often invoke an outside-the-box philosophy when it comes to teaching practices. For example, two faculty members have recently been named McBride Scholars for the Fall 2024 semester.

McBride Scholars are recognized for incorporating a COIL element into their classroom. In other words, McBride Scholars commit to partner with an international peer to create a global component in the classroom.

Baylor Entrepreneurship professors John Chen and Lee Grumbles have been recognized as 2024 Fall McBride Scholars because of their effort to develop an intercultural experience for students.

  • Professor Chen partnered with his counterpart Carolos Moreira from PUC Campinas in Brazil to facilitate as student teams from both universities select and analyze specific companies.
  • Professor Grumbles partnered with his counterpart Dr. Parvathy from Christ University in India to facilitate as student teams from both universities develop new venture ideas.

With this kind of glitter, Baylor Entrepreneurship may not be a hidden gem after all. Instead, Baylor Entrepreneurship may actually be a shining jewel on campus. Sic ’em, Professor Chen and Professor Grumbles!

For more information on Baylor Entrepreneurship, please visit our website at baylor.edu/business/entrepreneurship/.

Jacob Kehoe, Baylor Angel Network

kathy_carrBaylor Angel Network

“It’s rewarding to be back on campus
in a position where I can assist and support
entrepreneurially-minded Baylor students.“

-Jacob Kehoe

Think about a time when a mistake actually turned out to be a good thing. The time you made a wrong turn, and as GPS recalculated, you stumbled upon the best off-the-beaten-path oasis, hole-in-the-wall coffee shop. Or the time you missed your shuttle and ended up in a ride-share with your future soulmate. Or that time you unintentionally enrolled in an entrepreneurship class that actually changed your entire career path.

Jacob Kehoe was the high school student who landed in an entrepreneurship class by mistake. Growing up, he wasn’t the kid who came up with the money-making gigs. You didn’t see him around the neighborhood washing cars, mowing lawns or selling lemonade. He was the kid in his parents’ garage trying to build things with scrap metal and his grandpa’s old tools. Entrepreneurship wasn’t even really a blip on his radar. But Jacob stuck it out in the entrepreneurship class he wasn’t supposed to be in. Then something happened. During the class there was clarity. Jacob found inspiration in Steve Jobs and Sam Walton as his career aspirations started to completely change course. Jacob had the spark, that entrepreneurial spark that ultimately turns into a fiery passion. Could this class mistake actually turn out to be a good thing?

No mistakes were made when it was time to decide on higher ed. Baylor University was always the top choice for Jacob. The class sizes were a plus, but what ultimately swayed the pendulum is Baylor’s unabashedly Christian foundation.

While at Baylor, Jacob had no intention to let this new-found entrepreneurial spark fade. He teamed up with management professor Wayne Hampton and co-founded Aerial Intelligence and Reports (AIR). What initially began as a school project, evolved into a real business venture. AIR utilized drones to capture roof images, which were processed through a machine learning program to identify damage, generate cost estimates, construct 3D models of buildings and even produce bills of materials.

Jacob firmly believes that Baylor’s small class sizes and the countless campus opportunities are some of the University’s biggest assets for students. He feels students absolutely need to soak up all the expertise and knowledge from their professors. For Jacob, Professor Hampton and Entrepreneurship Professor Shaun Limbers had impactful influences on his journey. He explains, “I think all students should dig deep into all the resources that Baylor has to offer, both in programming and personnel.” He continues, “I spent countless hours in professors’ office hours picking their brains and absorbing their knowledge.” 

Jacob graduated Baylor with a BBA in Marketing and soon after landed a full-time entrepreneurial gig at Startup Waco. Startup Waco is a hub for the entrepreneurial ecosystem for the Greater Waco community. By creating a culture of entrepreneurship, Startup Waco is a conduit of support for local businesses. 

At Startup Waco, Jacob was responsible for programming initiatives that provide crucial resources, mentorship and networking opportunities to early-stage startups in the Waco community. He also worked to create opportunities for economic growth and creation through  strategic partnerships and initiatives that strategically positioned Waco as a premier destination for businesses seeking to establish or expand operations.

In 2023, Jacob had the opportunity to come back to Baylor as staff with the Baylor Angel Network (BAN). BAN is a unique opportunity that provides students with outside-the-classroom experiences that allow them to engage with businesses, people and capital. With BAN, student analysts are immersed in a deep understanding of startup funding and private company investing. 

As the BAN Associate Director, Jacob is typically the first point of contact for most of the involved entrepreneurs. He oversees BAN operations by encompassing deal sourcing and assessment, investment and communications strategies. In this role he is also actively engaged with the student analysts. He says, “Returning to Baylor and interacting with both entrepreneurs and students has been an incredible experience.” He continues, “It’s rewarding to be back on campus in a position where I can assist and support entrepreneurially-minded Baylor students.”

What started out as a perceived mistake certainly turned out to be a good thing for Jacob. This entrepreneurial gig is a very, very good thing indeed. Sic ‘em, Jacob!

For more information on Baylor Entrepreneurship, please visit our website at baylor.edu/business/entrepreneurship/.

I’ll trade ya…

kathy_carrBaylor ENT Professor

“You have to be able to tell the story of your own passion
so others can buy into that passion.“

-Gabriella Cacciotti, Assistant Professor

Very few things are more impressive than a savvy eight year old who recognizes the value of a pudding cup. The kid who boldly walks into the cafeteria with a smooth-talking, I’ll trade ya… and then bargains with all the diplomacy an eight year old can muster and walks away with a packet of Oreos, a bag of Cheetos and a troll head eraser. With nothing more than a pudding cup in hand, an unsuspecting classmate is left confident that said pudding cup is the most valuable thing… ever.

Students enrolled in ENT 3320 Entrepreneurship New Ventures sessions taught by Lee Grumbles and Gabriella Cacciotti were asked to hone in on their inner eight year old self for an experiential learning exercise commonly referred to as The Marble Game. The Marble Game was developed by Professor James D. Hart from Southern Methodist University as a learning exercise that helps students recognize sales strategy, self-branding, the relativity of value and asset acquisition.

Professor Cacciotti explains, “When you start with nothing (or something very small like a marble), it forces you to create value and to leverage your own story.” She continues, “You have to be able to tell the story of your own passion so others can buy into that passion.”

For the assignment, students were given a marble. Admittedly, there was nothing extraordinarily breathtaking about the marble. It was just a basic, run-of-the-mill marble. But that’s the whole point of the activity. The students had one month to master a convincing I’ll trade ya… as they bargained with all the suaveness of an eight year old to trade up from the original marble.

Professor Grumbles shares, “The notion of value is such a subjective thing.” He continues, “In my opinion, there were times students actually traded down, but in their minds they were increasing in value.”

Some of the students showed the cunning prowess of a modern day pudding swapper. There were quite a few notable trades.

  • A trade from marble, can of spray paint, hammer, walking stick, book, computer mouse to the final trade for a slightly used fire extinguisher
  • A trade from marble, bald picture of Joey King, candy, seasonal Waterloo drink, troll doll to the final trade for a live goldfish in a Ziplock baggie filled with water (which Professor Grumbles strongly encouraged be returned to its original owner)
  • A trade from marble, mechanical pencil, pack of gum, party size bag of Doritos, big bag of raisins, an HEB hat to the final trade for a green adirondack chair with a broken arm that the students repaired

Students in each of Grumbles’ classes voted on the best trade up. The winning teams were then given the opportunity to select a local charity as the recipient for all of the final trade items for the respective classes.

  • Kevin Tolotti and Rhett Bradsky 
    marble, sunglasses, a pair of cleats, a working tv without a power cord 
    CHARITY – Hidden Treasures, Caritas Waco
  • Hudson Graber and Cade Hanshaw 
    marble, phone case, perfume, box of string lights, dartboard, a pair of water skis
    CHARITY – Mission Waco

The best trade was not decided by a formal vote in Cacciotti’s classes. However, there were a couple of very clear standouts. Unbeknown to the students at the beginning of the experiment, the most engaged traders received extra credit points. All traded items Professor Cacciotti’s class were donated to the Salvation Army.

  • Zoe Brandenstein and Trey Robison 
    marble, computer mouse, Bauer hockey helmet

The overall Baugh Center Blog honorable mention goes to the trade from marble to a somewhat broken traffic light. No questions asked, but certainly ingenuity at its peak.

All in all, this was a fantastic exercise. Students were able to learn experientially, while having a little fun in the process. And if they also learned the value of saying I’ll trade ya… with all the passion and gusto of an eight year old, well that would just be cool.

Big Sic ‘em goes out to Baylor Entrepreneurship professors like Lee Grumbles and Gabriella Cacciotti who are quite literally rock stars in the classroom.

For more information on Baylor Entrepreneurship, please visit our website at baylor.edu/business/entrepreneurship/.

Tristen Darmodihardjo, Baylor Student

kathy_carrBaylor Angel Network

“Our failures teach us so much more about
entrepreneurship and life than our successes.“

-Tristen Darmodihardjo

Tristen Darmodihardjo learned early on that earning his own money was so much more empowering than receiving an allowance. Bitten by an entrepreneurial bug at a very young age, Tristen’s first self-employed gig was selling candy. Certainly not to be shown up by the likes of notable entrepreneurs like Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos or even Walt Disney, candy soon became ho-hum. As soon as Tristen could drive, he created a landscaping and junk-hauling business. And as the business grew, Tristen hired friends to help meet the demand. Not one to blow his hard-earned cash on frivolous purchases, Tristen saved his earnings and learned the art of investing.

Tristen had a VIP, front-row seat on the ins-and-outs of investing. He learned from his stock broker dad the importance of building a client base, developing investment strategies and adapting to market changes. Mostly focusing on stocks and cryptocurrencies, Tristen also invested in his older brother’s company. When the company was ultimately acquired, that investment proved to be quite fruitful.

Growing up in a private school setting, Tristen had an appreciation for smaller class settings that foster deeper connections with professors. As Tristen received affordable collegiate offers from notable public universities, Baylor wasn’t even on his radar. However, because of Baylor’s unabashedly Christian foundation, Tristen’s mom was persistent, to the point of insisting, on a trip to Waco to visit Baylor’s campus. Baylor’s close-knit community and overall inviting atmosphere not only put the University on Tristen’s radar, but ultimately positioned Baylor as the final destination.

Deciding on a major wasn’t a lengthy, drawn-out process for Tristen. His past experiences, passions, skills and interests led him to pursue a double major in entrepreneurship and finance. This strategically chosen double major combination proved to be the perfect funnel for Tristen’s involvement as a Senior Analyst in the Baylor Angel Network (BAN).

One of Tristen’s most impactful experiences while studying at Baylor has been in his Entrepreneurial Finance class taught by Professor Steven Diedrich, who also happens to be the BAN Director. In class, Diedrich often brought in experienced and successful business professionals to share their real-world expertise. Tristen relished in those moments, soaking up every bit of the knowledge and insight. Tristen feels that networking and seeking out mentors is the best way to navigate through the processes of pursuing both academic and professional goals.

While Tristen admittedly shares that entrepreneurship has the potential to be a risky field, he does feel that his experiences at Baylor will transcend quite well into the business world. Plus, he adds, “Our failures teach us so much more about entrepreneurship and life than our successes.”

Tristen will graduate in spring 2024 and his goal is to start off working in private equity or venture capital. Ultimately, he plans to start his own VC firm or business. 

Keep investing in your dreams, Tristen. Sic ’em!

For more information on Baylor Entrepreneurship, please visit our website at baylor.edu/business/entrepreneurship/.

T. Hingba, Entrepreneur in Residence at University of Colorado, Boulder

kathy_carrBaylor MBA



“You have to embrace the challenges and ambiguity.“

-T. Hingba

Whether it’s a holiday at the grandparent’s house, a cross-country roadtrip or an out-of-town business meeting, GPS makes the journey from point A to point B almost seamless. You can literally plan your trip down to the minute. But there’s an interesting quote floating around on Pinterest that’s attributed to Babs Hoffman, “Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the trip.” Isn’t that counter intuitive in an era of a relentless recalculating and redirecting all in effort to avoid the potholes?

T. Hingba had a bit of recalculating on his journey, but he ultimately found a way to enjoy every minute of it. T. Hingba grew up as a pastor’s kid in Maram, Manipur, India. He studied engineering at the National Institute of Technology Agartala, India. He was living his best life as a manager at the Engine Manufacturing Unit of a shipbuilding company under the Ministry of Defense for the Government of India. After about eight years, however, T. Hingba ultimately felt a need to recalculate… to redirect.

T. Hingba wanted a new challenge and he felt that higher education definitely hit all the check boxes. As an experienced engineer and manager, he was looking for a program that could provide just the right blend of both a technical mindset as well as a management viewpoint. Baylor University stood out among the options. Baylor’s solid education credentials and its unabashedly Christian heritage were a perfect alignment with T. Hingba’s personal values and beliefs.

Ultimately pursuing an MBA-MEng joint degree, T. Hingba was also drawn to the Lab to Market Collaborative (L2M) and the L2M Fellows Program. With the Fellows Program, students assist with the management of innovations, but also have the opportunity to participate in research with the L2M startup companies. This was the perfect intersection for T. Hingba. As he puts it, “The L2M platform emerged as a veritable playground for me.”

T. Hingba’s time as an L2M Fellow was an incredible blend of innovation, technology commercialization and entrepreneurship. He was able to lead teams on more than 15 projects, all requiring intricate collaborations with protolab, bizlab, Mtac as well as Baylor faculty and researchers. He credits his time as an L2M Fellow for providing substantial growth both personally and professionally.

One particular L2M project that stands out to T. Hingba is his work on the “Valuation of MCE-5 Variable Compression Engine.” This project was significant because it allowed T. Hingba to dig deep into his knowledge and expertise of hands-on experience with internal combustion engines. The project also gave T. Hingba an opportunity for in-depth research. But most significant to T. Hingba was that the project was an introduction to the dynamic of real-time, time-constrained consulting. T. Hingba explains, “With L2M you are often navigating uncharted territory and you have to be able to embrace the challenges and ambiguity.” He continues, “Ultimately it is this very environment that can be a crucible for personal and professional growth.”

Following his August 2023 Baylor graduation, there was no recalculating for T. Hingba. His  journey continued as the Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR) at the University of Colorado, Boulder. As an EiR, T. Hingba has a hands-on commitment to nurture innovation, drive technology commercialization and contribute to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. He explains, “My journey as an EiR feels like a seamless extension of the invaluable experiences I garnered during my tenure as an L2M Fellow.” 

T. Hingba looks back fondly on his time as an L2M Fellow. He often refers to the experience as a journey of exploration, creativity and impact. A journey with challenges and even potholes. A journey he would undoubtedly recommend.

Continue to enjoy your journey, T. Hingba! Sic ’em!

For more information on Baylor Entrepreneurship, please visit our website at baylor.edu/business/entrepreneurship/.

Dr. John Chen, Associate Professor

kathy_carrBaylor ENT Professor

“I didn’t choose the field of entrepreneurship…
it chose me.“

-Dr. John Chen

Originally from Taiwan, John Chen calls Huntsville, Alabama, his hometown. John’s education and career have allowed him to travel quite a bit, from California to Florida with several stops in between. Most recently, he has planted roots in Waco, Texas. And fortunately for the Baylor Entrepreneurship Department, John will be joining the faculty roster in Fall 2023 as an Associate Professor teaching Strategic Management / Business Policy.

John didn’t grow up in an overtly entrepreneurial household. He wasn’t the kid on the block washing cars, mowing lawns, selling lemonade or hustling classmates for snacks and treats. He loved math and engineering. That was his focus as an undergrad and that’s what guided him to a career in the high-tech industry. It was after he transitioned to a more business-oriented tech role that John learned about high-caliber management and entrepreneurship research.

As a junior scholar, John’s research focus was using computer simulation methods. However, there was a shift in thinking when John was connected with an established scholar who was interested in applying the computer simulation methods to entrepreneurship. What started as an implementation of a somewhat novel research concept, ended as a career-defining moment. John explains, “I didn’t choose the field of entrepreneurship… it chose me.”

John enjoys being a collegiate professor. He considers it a privilege to have the opportunity to build relationships with students and to share his academic expertise and his faith. After several conversations with Baylor Entrepreneurship Chair, Dr. Peter Klein, and a discussion with Dr. Walter Bradley, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering, John felt that God was leaving not-so-subtle “breadcrumbs” leading straight to Baylor University.

John views Baylor as a new mission field and is excited to build relationships and share his expertise at an unapologetically Christian university.

Welcome to Baylor Entrepreneurship, Dr. Chen! Sic’ em!

For more information on Baylor Entrepreneurship, please visit our website at baylor.edu/business/entrepreneurship/.

Glenn Coward, CapabilitySource

kathy_carrBaylor Grad

“Entrepreneurs are the people willing to dream big,
take the risks and put in the hard work.“

-Glenn Coward

Sometimes a conversation with the right person at the right time can put you on the right path. For Glenn Coward, a conversation with Roy Cashion did just that.

While studying at Baylor, Glenn met with Roy for a thirty-minute personal consultation. During the conversation, Roy shared his journey to successful entrepreneurship. Roy left Glenn with a personal realization that entrepreneurs aren’t necessarily the luckiest, smartest, shrewdest or creative people. Glenn says, “Entrepreneurs are the people willing to dream big, take the risks and put in the hard work.”

This was a turning point for Glenn. At that moment, Glenn knew he was on the path to be an entrepreneur. 

Glenn graduated Baylor in 1987 with a BBA and a plan. He didn’t immediately hop on the bandwagon to start a business. Instead, Glenn wanted to soak up as much industry experience and know-how as possible and then patiently wait for just the right opportunity to start a business… to start his business.

Glenn’s first job after Baylor was with a British telecom company, Cable & Wireless. Armed with a brochure and a savvy sales pitch on repeat, Glenn walked the streets of San Antonio, Texas. Building by building, Glenn’s goal was to convince busy business managers to sign up with Cable & Wireless telephone services. While the experience was undeniably soul crushing, Glenn discovered he was a really good pitchman. 

Glenn eventually transitioned to other sales roles in manufacturing and computer technologies. He learned several technology and  programming languages and worked his way into the technology sector, culminating with a role as VP of System Develop at a division of Fiserv. 

Wanting to bulk up his entrepreneurial tool kit, Glenn moved to Colorado to work on his EMBA at the University of Denver. Upon completion of the EMBA, the Coward family moved back to San Antonio where Glenn served as a Business, Technology and Innovation Director at USAA.

Glenn was comfortable at USAA. His role was financially rewarding and he was on track for an early retirement. But what about the big dream and the entrepreneurial path? Taking an undeniable leap of faith, Glenn left the comfortable role at USAA in 2011 to start his entrepreneurial journey with CapabilitySource.

Simply put, CapabilitySource was created to simplify the way people work. CapabilitySouce focuses on the very unique needs of marketing by developing digital marketing strategies that integrate people and systems regardless of the device or the location. According to Glenn, “CapabilitySource focuses on the big picture to ensure that people, processes, technology and information are all aligned within the overall marketing strategy.”

As CapabilitySource continued to grow, Glenn and his wife took another leap in 2022 and moved to Waco. For the Cowards, Waco was an appealing move for multiple reasons. All three of the Coward children were already in Waco at Baylor University (one with a staff role and two as students); the Cowards love collegiate sports and Baylor has multiple top-ranked teams and the move made it easier for CapabilitySource to connect with the Baylor Entrepreneurship Department.

For CapabilitySource, it’s not a question of if it can be done, but instead it’s more of a question of how it can be done. By aligning with up-and-coming technology companies, the relatively small CapabilitySource has moved from a small to midsize market to an enterprise market. With Glenn’s leadership, CapabilitySource was able to pinpoint a unique way to do business that ultimately gave the company an advantage. 

As an entrepreneur, Glenn has worn many hats. But through it all, he has been steadfast in the core principles in which CapabilitySource was founded: innovation, intelligence, dedication and perseverance.

Glenn firmly believes that being a successful entrepreneur requires such a level of effort and commitment that it becomes a way of life. He explains, “For me, CapabilitySource is a vehicle that allows me to use the skills and abilities that God has given me so that I can make a positive contribution toward the greater good of those around me.”

Big dreams and hard work have definitely taken this Baylor grad down the path of entrepreneurial success. Sic’ em!

For more information on Baylor Entrepreneurship, please visit our website at baylor.edu/business/entrepreneurship/.

Dan Rettinger, Local Skate Rats

kathy_carrBaylor Grad

“You have to make sure that your vision matches your passion.”

-Dan Rettinger

What do you get when you combine the style of Jeff Spicoli, the love of surfing and a passion for art? You get Baylor senior and breakout entrepreneur Dan Rettinger.

Dan grew up in Southern California just outside Malibu where surfing, skating and golfing were the daily norm. He never technically had a job, but he had an assorted bevy of side hustles. From washing cars to babysitting, Dan was making money. There was even the occasional hustle on the golf course at the local country club. Whether Dan realized it or not, he was an entrepreneur in the making.

With his older brother already a Baylor student, there was some green and gold influence for Dan to make the move from Malibu to Waco. It was Baylor’s Christ-centered commitment, however, that made the real distinction for Dan.

Dan came to Baylor with a focus on growing his art and creative skills. As a marketing major, Dan’s dream was to ultimately use his skills in the “real world” after graduation. The funny thing about that is he didn’t actually wait until after graduation. In June 2021, Dan passionately put those skills to work when he founded Local Skate Rats. In addition to creating tees with hand-drawn designs with Local Skate Rats, Dan used the business to support other small businesses. It’s the little things that make a difference, like selecting a local print shop to produce the tees. Dan explains, “I intentionally partnered with local business Hole in the Roof to produce my tees as a way to support and build up the Waco community.”

It didn’t take long for Dan to realize there was also a growing small business community right in his backyard, a somewhat undiscovered gem of a network consisting of student business owners struggling to get their name and products in front of consumers. As a way to build community and spotlight these businesses, Dan organized a student market that was largely inspired by the Melrose Trading Post in Los Angeles. Operating under the name of Local Trading Post, the first student market was held at a locally-owned coffee shop within walking distance of campus. The event was a huge success. Not only did the event give students an opportunity to sell their products, but it also brought a general awareness to this growing community of incredibly motivated and passionate student business owners.

After his May 2023 graduation, Dan plans to stay in the Waco area and work full time with the marketing team of Waco Surf using his skill sets to merchandise clothing, make videos and create content via the company’s social media platforms.

Dan’s vision and passion are certainly coming together wonderfully. There’s not doubt Dan will continue to conquer the gnarliest waves that come at him. Sic’ em!

For more information on Baylor Entrepreneurship, please visit our website at baylor.edu/business/entrepreneurship/.

Lee Grumbles, B&I LLC Faculty in Residence

kathy_carrBaylor ENT Professor

“Don’t be in a hurry, but instead enjoy the process,
embrace the failures and use it all to fuel your growth as an entrepreneur.”

-Lee Grumbles

What do you do when life just kind of happens and you’re a little slow reaching your goals and dreams? For Lee Grumbles it’s a go-to Bible verse that carries him during trying times. Lee says, “I lean on Philippians 4:6 when stress and anxiety try to get the best of me.”

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
~ Philippians 4:6

Lee grew up in Houston, Texas. He completed his undergraduate work at Texas A&M. Lee spent most of his corporate career working in the commercial banking and finance industry. While working, he also earned an MBA from Sam Houston State University as well as a PhD in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University. For 17 years, Lee was a vice president in commercial banking and mentored countless new bankers in areas such as B2B sales, risk assessment and portfolio management. By all accounts, a very impressive resume.

However, Lee’s goal was always to transition to academia, but “life” just kind of happened. Married with two children and a fortieth birthday around the corner, Lee realized it was time to just go for it.

Lee was initially drawn to Baylor University because of Baylor’s mission of integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment. However, after meeting with the Entrepreneurship Department and experiencing its unique culture, he was hooked.

Lee started his new career in academia as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Baylor Entrepreneurship Department in the Fall of 2020 and taught Small Business Management, New Venture Finance and Entrepreneurial Finance. 

The amount of behind-the-scenes work required with academia was a bit of a culture shock for Lee, but he soon learned to take full advantage of evenings and weekends to keep on track and not fall behind. Lee feels his years of mentoring new bankers actually prepared him for his role in academia. He explains, “I believe those experiences were extremely valuable in giving me an understanding on how to effectively work with my students.”

In the Fall 2022, in addition to teaching Lee took on the role as Faculty In Residence at the Business & Innovation LLC housed in Brooks Flat Residential Hall. In this new role, Lee serves as a resource for students to help them navigate a new life at Baylor, but he will also work as a mentor to these students as students explore business and innovation from a faith-based perspective.

While Lee knows firsthand that life happens and it’s easy to lose track of time, his advice to students is not to be in a rush. He shares, “Don’t be in a hurry, but instead enjoy the process, embrace the failures and use it all to fuel your growth as an entrepreneur.”

Lee didn’t rush and he is right where he’s supposed to be. Sic ‘em, Lee!

For more information on Baylor Entrepreneurship, please visit our website at baylor.edu/business/entrepreneurship/.