📢 CONTACT US FOR A FREE AUDIT, CONSULTATION, OR BRAND ANALYSIS. WE WANT TO HELP HOWEVER WE CAN 🏁 BUILD YOUR BRAND, SELL THE WOW FACTOR, AND LET US DO THE THINKING AHEAD 🧠
📢 CONTACT US FOR A FREE AUDIT, CONSULTATION, OR BRAND ANALYSIS. WE WANT TO HELP HOWEVER WE CAN 🏁 BUILD YOUR BRAND, SELL THE WOW FACTOR, AND LET US DO THE THINKING AHEAD 🧠
📢 CONTACT US FOR A FREE AUDIT, CONSULTATION, OR BRAND ANALYSIS. WE WANT TO HELP HOWEVER WE CAN 🏁 BUILD YOUR BRAND, SELL THE WOW FACTOR, AND LET US DO THE THINKING AHEAD 🧠
Nextus Featured on the InNOLEvation® Podcast
Nextus Featured on the InNOLEvation® Podcast
2 minutes read - Written by Nextus Team
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About the Podcast
Picture this: a 20-something entrepreneur pacing around a quiet apartment in Tallahassee, FL, rehearsing concepts, sipping black coffee, and prepping for one of the most meaningful conversations of his career so far. That was the mood the morning of the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast—Florida State University’s entrepreneurial deep-dive hosted by Professor Mark McNees. For Jack Carmignani, founder of Nextus Digital Solutions, this wasn’t just another interview. It was a chance to pause, rewind, and unpack the story that built the creative engine behind brands you’ve likely double-tapped on Instagram or bought supplements from.
This blog recaps the full-circle moment of being featured on FSU’s flagship business podcast. We’ll break down what the InNOLEvation® Mindset is, and why the episode was more than a milestone—it was a snapshot of what happens when curiosity meets execution.
What is the InNOLEvation® Podcast?
The InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, produced by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at Florida State University, is not your average business podcast. It’s part entrepreneurial masterclass, part fireside chat. Hosted by Professor Mark McNees, a startup veteran and longtime advocate of social entrepreneurship, the podcast offers a front-row seat into the minds of founders, creatives, and students who are actively shaping the business world.
Think less “corporate jargon,” more “real conversations with people who actually do the work.”
Each episode explores how entrepreneurs navigate setbacks, scale ideas, and build communities, especially those coming through the Florida State pipeline. It’s not just a plug for the school—it’s a blueprint for doing more with what you already have. Guests range from scrappy startup founders to polished executives, but all of them share one trait: the ability to think critically and act intentionally.
Picture this: a 20-something entrepreneur pacing around a quiet apartment in Tallahassee, FL, rehearsing concepts, sipping black coffee, and prepping for one of the most meaningful conversations of his career so far. That was the mood the morning of the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast—Florida State University’s entrepreneurial deep-dive hosted by Professor Mark McNees. For Jack Carmignani, founder of Nextus Digital Solutions, this wasn’t just another interview. It was a chance to pause, rewind, and unpack the story that built the creative engine behind brands you’ve likely double-tapped on Instagram or bought supplements from.
This blog recaps the full-circle moment of being featured on FSU’s flagship business podcast. We’ll break down what the InNOLEvation® Mindset is, and why the episode was more than a milestone—it was a snapshot of what happens when curiosity meets execution.
What is the InNOLEvation® Podcast?
The InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, produced by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at Florida State University, is not your average business podcast. It’s part entrepreneurial masterclass, part fireside chat. Hosted by Professor Mark McNees, a startup veteran and longtime advocate of social entrepreneurship, the podcast offers a front-row seat into the minds of founders, creatives, and students who are actively shaping the business world.
Think less “corporate jargon,” more “real conversations with people who actually do the work.”
Each episode explores how entrepreneurs navigate setbacks, scale ideas, and build communities, especially those coming through the Florida State pipeline. It’s not just a plug for the school—it’s a blueprint for doing more with what you already have. Guests range from scrappy startup founders to polished executives, but all of them share one trait: the ability to think critically and act intentionally.
Picture this: a 20-something entrepreneur pacing around a quiet apartment in Tallahassee, FL, rehearsing concepts, sipping black coffee, and prepping for one of the most meaningful conversations of his career so far. That was the mood the morning of the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast—Florida State University’s entrepreneurial deep-dive hosted by Professor Mark McNees. For Jack Carmignani, founder of Nextus Digital Solutions, this wasn’t just another interview. It was a chance to pause, rewind, and unpack the story that built the creative engine behind brands you’ve likely double-tapped on Instagram or bought supplements from.
This blog recaps the full-circle moment of being featured on FSU’s flagship business podcast. We’ll break down what the InNOLEvation® Mindset is, and why the episode was more than a milestone—it was a snapshot of what happens when curiosity meets execution.
What is the InNOLEvation® Podcast?
The InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, produced by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at Florida State University, is not your average business podcast. It’s part entrepreneurial masterclass, part fireside chat. Hosted by Professor Mark McNees, a startup veteran and longtime advocate of social entrepreneurship, the podcast offers a front-row seat into the minds of founders, creatives, and students who are actively shaping the business world.
Think less “corporate jargon,” more “real conversations with people who actually do the work.”
Each episode explores how entrepreneurs navigate setbacks, scale ideas, and build communities, especially those coming through the Florida State pipeline. It’s not just a plug for the school—it’s a blueprint for doing more with what you already have. Guests range from scrappy startup founders to polished executives, but all of them share one trait: the ability to think critically and act intentionally.
The Recap
Our Feature on the Podcast
When Jack Carmignani joined the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, it was a homecoming. This was more than just a nod from his alma mater—it was recognition from the very institution that helped shape the trajectory of Nextus Digital Solutions. In the episode, Jack sits across from Professor McNees, and shares a raw, detailed account of how his business bloomed from a “dorm-room side quest” into a multi-disciplinary creative agency trusted by fitness brands, wineries, and lifestyle startups alike.
Let’s break down what was covered—and what made it resonate.
The Origin Story
The episode kicks off with Jack explaining his unconventional path—from sneaker-flipping and coding bots in Naples, Florida, to dropping finance lectures at the University of Miami in favor of debugging Shopify themes. This isn’t some LinkedIn cliché of "failing forward"—it’s a detailed look at the moment where Jack realized he didn’t want to analyze value. He wanted to create it.
What Nextus Digital Solutions Does Differently
Jack doesn’t dance around the fact that the agency space is oversaturated. But Nextus carved its niche by being both creative and conversion-minded. The agency works at the intersection of storytelling and performance—branding meets systems-thinking. Whether it’s scaling a fitness supplement line with clean Shopify UX or refining a winery’s brand voice to meet FDA compliance, the approach remains the same: solve real problems with tailored digital solutions.
On the podcast, Jack unpacks how Nextus operates with a hybrid model—offering full-suite branding, creative direction, and growth marketing services all under one roof. But what sets it apart? According to Jack, it’s the process.
Client Strategy, Team Dynamics, and Growing Pains
Not everything was smooth sailing. Jack openly shares the hurdles that came with building a team across multiple time zones, the messiness of scope creep, and the hard lessons learned from poorly written contracts in the early days. He even details his eventual investment in a startup-friendly attorney—someone who helped him understand the legal frameworks behind retainers, ownership, and intellectual property.
He also discusses something that rarely makes the highlight reel of most business podcasts: emotional intelligence. Reading “Switch” by Chip and Dan Heath reshaped how he approached team motivation. “Logic tells you what to do, emotion keeps you doing it,” Jack shares. Today, Nextus briefings start with project impact, not just deadlines.
Podcast Visibility and Growth Tips
Midway through the episode, the tables turn. Jack gets tactical about something often overlooked—growing the podcast itself. Drawing from Nextus’s brand playbook, he drops gems about improving discoverability through SEO-optimized episode descriptions, visually consistent assets, and embedding micro-content (like reels and audiograms) across multiple platforms.
His main tip? Focus on moments, not just metrics. “The podcast isn’t just audio—it’s a growth tool. Treat each episode like a product launch,” he says. It was a reminder that content is leverage, but only if packaged properly.
Future Vision: Beyond Client Work
In the final portion of the episode, the conversation zooms out. Jack outlines what’s next for Nextus—from launching internal e-commerce ventures to developing tools that scratch their own agency itches. There’s talk of a SaaS product aimed at conversion-optimized landing pages, and even a productized course built for junior designers and agency freelancers.
But the most compelling vision? A hybrid studio-living space in Miami—part coworking, part community. “If you remove the rent burden from your team, you unlock creative freedom,” Jack says. It’s an ambitious blend of social mission and startup logic, designed for Gen Z creators who want impact without burnout.
Why It Matters
Being featured on the InNOLEvation® podcast wasn’t just about exposure—it was about alignment. Nextus Digital Solutions exists because environments like Florida State and the Jim Moran College dared to prioritize entrepreneurship as a legitimate career path. The podcast is simply the echo of that mission.
For FSU students, creatives, and young founders listening in, Jack’s episode is a case study in flipping the script. It challenges you to rethink “real jobs,” see systems where others see chaos, and speak confidently about your own work. Because building a business isn’t about one big idea—it’s about executing consistently, solving real problems, and knowing when to pivot.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a student at Florida State University, a listener looking for your next favorite business podcast, or a creative stuck between passion and profit, this episode of InNOLEvation® is worth your time. It’s a front-row seat into the reality of building something from scratch with no roadmap, just intention.
Watch the full episode here: InNOLEvation® Mindset with Jack Carmignani
Our Feature on the Podcast
When Jack Carmignani joined the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, it was a homecoming. This was more than just a nod from his alma mater—it was recognition from the very institution that helped shape the trajectory of Nextus Digital Solutions. In the episode, Jack sits across from Professor McNees, and shares a raw, detailed account of how his business bloomed from a “dorm-room side quest” into a multi-disciplinary creative agency trusted by fitness brands, wineries, and lifestyle startups alike.
Let’s break down what was covered—and what made it resonate.
The Origin Story
The episode kicks off with Jack explaining his unconventional path—from sneaker-flipping and coding bots in Naples, Florida, to dropping finance lectures at the University of Miami in favor of debugging Shopify themes. This isn’t some LinkedIn cliché of "failing forward"—it’s a detailed look at the moment where Jack realized he didn’t want to analyze value. He wanted to create it.
What Nextus Digital Solutions Does Differently
Jack doesn’t dance around the fact that the agency space is oversaturated. But Nextus carved its niche by being both creative and conversion-minded. The agency works at the intersection of storytelling and performance—branding meets systems-thinking. Whether it’s scaling a fitness supplement line with clean Shopify UX or refining a winery’s brand voice to meet FDA compliance, the approach remains the same: solve real problems with tailored digital solutions.
On the podcast, Jack unpacks how Nextus operates with a hybrid model—offering full-suite branding, creative direction, and growth marketing services all under one roof. But what sets it apart? According to Jack, it’s the process.
Client Strategy, Team Dynamics, and Growing Pains
Not everything was smooth sailing. Jack openly shares the hurdles that came with building a team across multiple time zones, the messiness of scope creep, and the hard lessons learned from poorly written contracts in the early days. He even details his eventual investment in a startup-friendly attorney—someone who helped him understand the legal frameworks behind retainers, ownership, and intellectual property.
He also discusses something that rarely makes the highlight reel of most business podcasts: emotional intelligence. Reading “Switch” by Chip and Dan Heath reshaped how he approached team motivation. “Logic tells you what to do, emotion keeps you doing it,” Jack shares. Today, Nextus briefings start with project impact, not just deadlines.
Podcast Visibility and Growth Tips
Midway through the episode, the tables turn. Jack gets tactical about something often overlooked—growing the podcast itself. Drawing from Nextus’s brand playbook, he drops gems about improving discoverability through SEO-optimized episode descriptions, visually consistent assets, and embedding micro-content (like reels and audiograms) across multiple platforms.
His main tip? Focus on moments, not just metrics. “The podcast isn’t just audio—it’s a growth tool. Treat each episode like a product launch,” he says. It was a reminder that content is leverage, but only if packaged properly.
Future Vision: Beyond Client Work
In the final portion of the episode, the conversation zooms out. Jack outlines what’s next for Nextus—from launching internal e-commerce ventures to developing tools that scratch their own agency itches. There’s talk of a SaaS product aimed at conversion-optimized landing pages, and even a productized course built for junior designers and agency freelancers.
But the most compelling vision? A hybrid studio-living space in Miami—part coworking, part community. “If you remove the rent burden from your team, you unlock creative freedom,” Jack says. It’s an ambitious blend of social mission and startup logic, designed for Gen Z creators who want impact without burnout.
Why It Matters
Being featured on the InNOLEvation® podcast wasn’t just about exposure—it was about alignment. Nextus Digital Solutions exists because environments like Florida State and the Jim Moran College dared to prioritize entrepreneurship as a legitimate career path. The podcast is simply the echo of that mission.
For FSU students, creatives, and young founders listening in, Jack’s episode is a case study in flipping the script. It challenges you to rethink “real jobs,” see systems where others see chaos, and speak confidently about your own work. Because building a business isn’t about one big idea—it’s about executing consistently, solving real problems, and knowing when to pivot.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a student at Florida State University, a listener looking for your next favorite business podcast, or a creative stuck between passion and profit, this episode of InNOLEvation® is worth your time. It’s a front-row seat into the reality of building something from scratch with no roadmap, just intention.
Watch the full episode here: InNOLEvation® Mindset with Jack Carmignani
Our Feature on the Podcast
When Jack Carmignani joined the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, it was a homecoming. This was more than just a nod from his alma mater—it was recognition from the very institution that helped shape the trajectory of Nextus Digital Solutions. In the episode, Jack sits across from Professor McNees, and shares a raw, detailed account of how his business bloomed from a “dorm-room side quest” into a multi-disciplinary creative agency trusted by fitness brands, wineries, and lifestyle startups alike.
Let’s break down what was covered—and what made it resonate.
The Origin Story
The episode kicks off with Jack explaining his unconventional path—from sneaker-flipping and coding bots in Naples, Florida, to dropping finance lectures at the University of Miami in favor of debugging Shopify themes. This isn’t some LinkedIn cliché of "failing forward"—it’s a detailed look at the moment where Jack realized he didn’t want to analyze value. He wanted to create it.
What Nextus Digital Solutions Does Differently
Jack doesn’t dance around the fact that the agency space is oversaturated. But Nextus carved its niche by being both creative and conversion-minded. The agency works at the intersection of storytelling and performance—branding meets systems-thinking. Whether it’s scaling a fitness supplement line with clean Shopify UX or refining a winery’s brand voice to meet FDA compliance, the approach remains the same: solve real problems with tailored digital solutions.
On the podcast, Jack unpacks how Nextus operates with a hybrid model—offering full-suite branding, creative direction, and growth marketing services all under one roof. But what sets it apart? According to Jack, it’s the process.
Client Strategy, Team Dynamics, and Growing Pains
Not everything was smooth sailing. Jack openly shares the hurdles that came with building a team across multiple time zones, the messiness of scope creep, and the hard lessons learned from poorly written contracts in the early days. He even details his eventual investment in a startup-friendly attorney—someone who helped him understand the legal frameworks behind retainers, ownership, and intellectual property.
He also discusses something that rarely makes the highlight reel of most business podcasts: emotional intelligence. Reading “Switch” by Chip and Dan Heath reshaped how he approached team motivation. “Logic tells you what to do, emotion keeps you doing it,” Jack shares. Today, Nextus briefings start with project impact, not just deadlines.
Podcast Visibility and Growth Tips
Midway through the episode, the tables turn. Jack gets tactical about something often overlooked—growing the podcast itself. Drawing from Nextus’s brand playbook, he drops gems about improving discoverability through SEO-optimized episode descriptions, visually consistent assets, and embedding micro-content (like reels and audiograms) across multiple platforms.
His main tip? Focus on moments, not just metrics. “The podcast isn’t just audio—it’s a growth tool. Treat each episode like a product launch,” he says. It was a reminder that content is leverage, but only if packaged properly.
Future Vision: Beyond Client Work
In the final portion of the episode, the conversation zooms out. Jack outlines what’s next for Nextus—from launching internal e-commerce ventures to developing tools that scratch their own agency itches. There’s talk of a SaaS product aimed at conversion-optimized landing pages, and even a productized course built for junior designers and agency freelancers.
But the most compelling vision? A hybrid studio-living space in Miami—part coworking, part community. “If you remove the rent burden from your team, you unlock creative freedom,” Jack says. It’s an ambitious blend of social mission and startup logic, designed for Gen Z creators who want impact without burnout.
Why It Matters
Being featured on the InNOLEvation® podcast wasn’t just about exposure—it was about alignment. Nextus Digital Solutions exists because environments like Florida State and the Jim Moran College dared to prioritize entrepreneurship as a legitimate career path. The podcast is simply the echo of that mission.
For FSU students, creatives, and young founders listening in, Jack’s episode is a case study in flipping the script. It challenges you to rethink “real jobs,” see systems where others see chaos, and speak confidently about your own work. Because building a business isn’t about one big idea—it’s about executing consistently, solving real problems, and knowing when to pivot.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a student at Florida State University, a listener looking for your next favorite business podcast, or a creative stuck between passion and profit, this episode of InNOLEvation® is worth your time. It’s a front-row seat into the reality of building something from scratch with no roadmap, just intention.
Watch the full episode here: InNOLEvation® Mindset with Jack Carmignani
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