Parallel Entrepreneur with Mark Cleveland
Parallel Entrepreneur with Mark Cleveland
Podcast Description
Welcome to the Parallel Entrepreneur, where we dive into the minds of entrepreneurs who push beyond the limits of a single business.
Learn how these visionaries invite creative synergies to flow between multiple and oftentimes diverse enterprises simultaneously, whether you're just starting out or managing multiple ventures, you already think outside the box and this podcast will inspire you to recognize and tap into the power of parallel entrepreneurship.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast centers around themes of entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusivity, exploring how entrepreneurs balance multiple businesses. Episodes tackle topics such as the importance of storytelling in entrepreneurship with guests like Francisco Gonzalez and address preventive healthcare and AI's role in efficiency through discussions with Roger Brown, illustrating the varied focus areas within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Mark explores the minds of visionary entrepreneurs who refuse to limit themselves to a single venture to learn how these trailblazers manage risks, innovate across industries, and turn ideas into impact.
Whether you’re scaling your first business or juggling several, this podcast is your ultimate guide to thriving as a parallel entrepreneur.
What happens when a city stops waiting for permission and starts acting like the technology hub it already is?
You get Nashville’s tech moment, and leaders willing to build it together.
Mark Blaze is the kind of leader communities grow around. As President & CEO of the Greater Nashville Technology Council, he’s less interested in headlines and more focused on connection, collaboration, and long-term impact.
In this Innovation Series episode, recorded live at the Greater Nashville Technology Council Innovation Summit, Mark joins hosts Mark Cleveland and Johnny Anderson for a grounded, honest conversation about what makes Nashville different, and what it will take to turn momentum into global prominence.
If you care about ecosystems, talent, leadership, and building something bigger than any one company, this conversation is for you.
In this episode:
• Why Nashville already has “all the pieces of the puzzle”
• How public–private partnership accelerates real innovation
• What servant leadership looks like at a city-wide scale
• The importance of finding, developing, and retaining tech talent
• Why collaboration — not competition — is the region’s real advantage
• How reverse mentorship strengthens modern leadership
• What it will take for Nashville to earn worldwide tech prominence
Chapters:
00:00:00 Welcome to the Innovation Series from the Nashville Innovation Summit
00:01:20 Introducing Mark Blaze & the Greater Nashville Technology Council
00:02:35 Why Nashville Is the Best Place to Start and Grow a Business
00:03:55 Geographic Advantage, Tax Policy & Momentum
00:05:10 “We Have the Height” — Nashville’s Natural Gifts
00:06:30 Collaboration as a Competitive Advantage
00:07:45 Servant Leadership and Mark’s Influences
00:09:10 Learning from Reverse Mentorship
00:10:40 Government as a Partner in Innovation
00:12:20 Public & Private Investment Working Together
00:13:55 What’s Still Missing — And Why Nothing Is Broken
00:15:30 Connecting Talent, Capital & Opportunity
00:17:10 The Vision for Nashville’s Tech Ecosystem in 3 Years
00:18:45 Finding, Developing & Retaining Talent
00:20:30 The Region’s “Special Sauce”: Its People
00:22:10 Final Thoughts on Community, Leadership & What’s Next
Show Notes:
- Share and engage with this interview on LinkedIn: Click here
Connect with Mark Blaze
• LinkedIn – Mark Blaze
• Greater Nashville Technology Council – technologycouncil.com
About Our Hosts
• Mark Cleveland — Managing Director at Kensington Park Capital, founder, M&A strategist, and host of The Parallel Entrepreneur
• Johnny Anderson — Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, advisor, and tech community leader
👉 Join the Parallel Entrepreneur Network: https://www.parallelentrepreneur.com/#about-me
👉 Subscribe for more stories from entrepreneurs who thrive across multiple ventures—and live aligned lives.
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