Young Entrepreneurs

By Nelson Fernandes

Ask yourself this question, do you see something that can be changed and willing to be the agent of change?

My name is Nelson Fernandes, a young entrepreneur with a passion for renewable energy, sustainability, and creating positive change. Over the past year plus, I formed the Green Roof Team at Southern Illinois University Carbondale for one sole reason: transform our existing Green Roof into a multidisciplinary innovation hub through leadership for participatory learning. Breaking down our purpose, we desire students to gain hands-on experience with their passions. For myself and many of our team members, renewable energy is our common shared interest. We have and continue to inspire our Salukis, faculty, staff, community, and individuals across various states and countries to believe in our mission and our projects.

In this Podcast, we will have short conversations on various topics related to sustainability, renewable energy, entrepreneurship, and many more. Come join us to learn about our projects, team members, and areas of interest!

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E25. Lessons with the CEO of OriginClear with Riggs Eckelberry

Young EntrepreneursFeb 09, 2022

00:00

39:32

E54. Building Our Brand with Prem Rana

Prem Rana joins the podcast to talk about the progress the company has made on expanding our brand!

Learn more about the Green Roof Team: https://www.greenroofteam.com

Apr 05, 202321:16

E53. Push Beyond Your Fear with Stephen Schulte

Fear and Insecurity can often paralyze us and prevent us from reaching our potential. Stephen Schulte joins the podcast to discuss how we can go beyond these doubts and reach new heights.

Learn more about the Green Roof Team: https://www.greenroofteam.com

Mar 29, 202315:33

E52. Act in Spite of How You Feel with Tanner Clark

This week, Tanner Clark joins the podcast as he discusses the balance between logic and emotion and how it can affect decision making!

Learn more about the Green Roof Team: https://www.greenroofteam.com

Mar 22, 202329:17

E51. Get the Right Mentor with Stephen Schulte

This week, Stephen Schulte talks about mentorship, and how finding the right person can have a lifechanging impact!

Learn more about the Green Roof Team: https://www.greenroofteam.com

Mar 15, 202317:15

E50. A Year in Review with The Green Roof Team

This special episode has Nelson, Prem, Tanner, and Stephen joining the podcast to reflect on the incredible accomplishments in 2022 for the Green Roof Team!

Learn more about the Green Roof Team: https://www.greenroofteam.com

#uif #innovationfellows #designthinking #workshop #zoom #fun #sustainability #collaboration #renewableenergy #cleanenergy #arduino #raspberrypi #rpi #solar #wind #energy #studentproject #green-roof-team

Dec 28, 202239:01

E49 Lessons from Building a Startup with Connor Snyder

Connor Snyder has always loved social media, and on this week's podcast, he dives deep into the lessons he learned from building a social media startup!

Check out Storry:

https://storry.io/

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/storry/id1485126254?ls=1

Follow Connor:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/connorsnyder/

Learn more about the Green Roof Team:

https://www.greenroofteam.com

Dec 21, 202248:24

E48. Think Big with Tanner Clark

Although we may be limited in time, money, and resources, should that stop our big ideas? This week, Tanner Clark joins the podcast to discuss why we should continue to think big.

Learn more about the Green Roof Team: https://www.greenroofteam.com

Dec 14, 202225:33

E47. Spend the Majority of Your Time with People Smarter Than You with Stephen Schulte

Stephen Schulte joins the podcast to discuss how being around the right people can passively make us a better person.

Learn more about the Green Roof Team: https://www.greenroofteam.com

Dec 07, 202224:52

E46. Networking isn't all about you with Zachary Boehl

Networking is such a vital part of any type of business, as well as an important pillar of personal growth. But how can one elevate their networking to the next level? This week, Zachary Boehl joins the podcast to talk about how he's improved his networking skills.

Learn more about the Green Roof Team: https://www.greenroofteam.com

Nov 30, 202216:43

E45. Working with Nonprofits with Tanner Clark

Nonprofits are often a side of business that is confusing to understand, but Green Roof Team's Tanner Clark comes on the podcast to talk about the positives of nonprofits and how they are important and beneficial to everyone

Learn more about the Green Roof Team: http://greenroofteam.com/

Nov 23, 202225:28

E44. Technology is an Opportunity, Not a Threat with Prem Rana

Technology has changed our lives dramatically, but can it be a detriment to the growth of a business? How can we turn technology to our benefit? Green Roof Team's Prem Rana joins the podcast and discuss how technology could be an opportunity, not a threat.

Nov 16, 202236:44

E43. You Don't Always Have to be the Smartest One in the Room with Stephen Schulte

Knowledge is power, but is having the most knowledge actually detrimental? Green Roof Team's Stephen Schulte discusses how important it is to learn from others, even when you may know more.

Learn more about the Green Roof Team: http://greenroofteam.com/

Nov 09, 202225:13

E42. Talent Trumps Seniority with Zach Boehl

Many startups are hiring younger people over more antiquated people. But does the new talent outdo experienced seniority? Green Roof Team's Zach Boehl discusses this idea on this week's podcast!

Learn more about the Green Roof Team: http://greenroofteam.com/

Nov 02, 202217:37

E41. Require Criticism and Disagreement in Your Company with Tanner Clark

Building a strong team is important in any company, and Green Roof Team's Tanner Clark discusses the importance of having different opinions on a team.

Learn more about the Green Roof Team: http://greenroofteam.com/

Oct 26, 202227:06

E40. Don't Manage People, Manage Expectations with Stephen Schulte

Come listen to a Green Roof Team's Manager, Stephen Schulte, who chats about Don't Manage People, Manage Expectations. During this half hour, learn about our perspective on aligning values to the overall goals.

Learn more about the Green Roof Team: http://greenroofteam.com/

Oct 19, 202219:57

E39. The World of Solar Nonprofits with Sydney Munoz

Come listen to a Renewable Energy Community Engagement Coordinator, Sydney Muñoz, who chats about The World of Solar Nonprofits. During this half hour, learn about Clean Energy Developments for Nonprofits, Student Involvement with Sustainability, and RE-volv.

Visit for more information on the Guest: www.linkedin.com/in/sydneymunoz

RE-volv Links

RE-volv's website: https://re-volv.org

Become a RE-volv Solar Ambassador Fellow: https://re-volv.org/volunteer

Take action with RE-volv: https://re-volv.org/take-action

Learn about our nonprofit solar projects: https://re-volv.org/projects/completed_projects

RE-volv's Solar Education Center: https://re-volv.org/get-involved/education

American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Links

ASES's website: https://ases.orgASES Student Chapters: https://ases.org/our-community/chapters

For volunteer and internship opportunities with ASES visit: https://ases.org/about/jobsvolunteer

Learn more about the Green Roof Team: http://greenroofteam.com/

Oct 12, 202233:56

E38. Business Comes First, Family Second with Tanner Clark

Come listen to a Green Roof Team's Manager, Tanner Clark, who chats about Business Comes First, Family Second. During this half hour, learn about our perspective on a controversial topic of putting business before family in my situations.

Learn more about the Green Roof Team: http://greenroofteam.com/

Oct 05, 202222:06

E37. Hustling 2.0 with Edwardivan Labarca Torres

Come listen to a Game Designer, Edwardivan Labarca Torres, who chats about Hustling. During this half hour, learn about Hustling, Customer Discover, and Lean Startup.

Visit for more information on the Guest: anotherchancestudios.com.

Learn more about the Green Roof Team: http://greenroofteam.com/

#uif #innovationfellows #designthinking #workshop #zoom #fun #sustainability #collaboration #renewableenergy #cleanenergy #arduino #raspberrypi #rpi #solar #wind #energy #studentproject #green-roof-team

Sep 28, 202231:57

E36. Lessons Learned from the University Innovation Fellows Program with Prem Rana

Come listen to a Manager of the Green Roof Team, Prem Rana, who chats about Lessons Learned from the University Innovation Fellows Program. During this half hour, learn about Design Thinking, Networking, and Design Science.

Visit for more information on the Guest: https://greenroofteam.com/.

Learn more about the Green Roof Team: http://greenroofteam.com/

#uif #innovationfellows #designthinking #workshop #zoom #fun #sustainability #collaboration #renewableenergy #cleanenergy #arduino #raspberrypi #rpi #solar #wind #energy #studentproject #green-roof-team

Sep 21, 202228:31

E35. What Will We do With the Business... next 3-6 months with Prem Rana

Hey! Did you know the Green Roof Team has a Podcast? 💡 This week Prem Rana of the Green Roof Team chats about the businesses next three to six months! You can find us on Spotify, Apple Music, and more by searching for "Young Entrepreneurs" or through our website linked in our bio. #UIF #innovationfellows #designthinking #workshop #zoom #fun #sustainability #collaboration #renewableenergy #cleanenergy #arduino #raspberrypi #rpi #solar #wind #energy #studentproject #green-roof-team

Sep 14, 202223:38

E34. Green Roof Team - Before the Business History with Prem Rana

Come listen to a Green Roof Team's Manager, Prem Rana, who chats about the Green Roof Team before they became a business. During this half hour, learn about their projects at SIU Carbondale, forming a remote team, and challenges overcame.

Learn more about the Green Roof Team: http://greenroofteam.com/

Sep 07, 202216:50

E33. CEO of Soluna Computing with John Belizaire

Come listen to a incredible entrepreneur and CEO of Soluna Computing, John Belizaire, who chats about his journey in life as an entrepreneur and about Soluna's mission for a cleaner world. During this half hour, learn about his journey through leveraging the digital world for a clean world! As well as discuss his lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://www.solunacomputing.com/

May 04, 202247:56

E32. Founder of On Minds & Motion with Malte Krohn

Come listen to a incredible Green Roof Team supporter and founder of The Mindful Startup School, Malte Krohn, who chats about their journeys together for the past two years. During this half hour, learn about his journey through life and mindfulness! As well as discuss his lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://mindfulstartup.school/about-malte

Apr 13, 202231:35

E31. The T in Team Stands for Trust with Tanner Clark and Joshua Konvalinka

Come listen to two Green Roof Team members, Tanner Clark and Joshua Konvalinka chat about their journeys together for the past two years. During this half hour, learn about his journey through life and Teams! As well as discuss his lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroofteam.com/

Apr 06, 202235:51

E30. Discovering Your Best Self with Diogo Seixas

Come listen to a Brazilian entrepreneur, Diogo Seixas, and his journey. During this half hour, learn about his journey through life and personal development! As well as discuss his lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroofteam.com/

Mar 30, 202230:21

E29. Being Financially Free with Tom Wedding

Come listen to an Australian entrepreneur, Tom Wedding, and his journey. During this half hour, learn about his journey through life and personal development! As well as discuss his lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroofteam.com/

Mar 16, 202238:48

E28. Exploring Electrical Engineering with Devon Cantrell

Come listen to an SIU alumni, Devon Cantrell's, journey. During this half hour, learn about his journey with the team, lessons learned in industry, and why he returned to the team! Along the way, tid-bits on different electrical engineering topics. As well as discuss her lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroofteam.com/

Mar 09, 202229:52

E27. Green Roof Team Life with Prem Rana and Stephen Schulte

Come listen to two SIU team members, Prem Rana and Stephen Schulte, journey. During this half hour, learn about their journey with the team, lessons learned, and exclusive stories with the team! As well as discuss her lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroofteam.com/

Feb 23, 202232:15

E26. Net-Zero Cabins Leadership with Katherine Held

Come listen to a SIU Innovation Fellow's, Katherine Held, journey. During this half hour, learn about Kate and her journey through design thinking, pre-law studies, and future in sustainability! As well as discuss her lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroofteam.com/

Feb 16, 202226:45

E25. Lessons with the CEO of OriginClear with Riggs Eckelberry

Come listen to the CEO of OriginClear, Riggs Eckelberry, share lessons from his life and running a successful business with an innovative business model. Visit For More Information: greenroofteam.com

Feb 09, 202239:32

E24. Pandemic Small Businesses with Zachary Harris and Itamar Steiner

Come listen to two young entrepreneurs from Skokie, Illinois, who started and ran a successful small business during the pandemic summer fo 2020 where they constructed and sold raised garden beds. You will hear about their process and lessons learned during their journey. Visit For More Information: greenroofteam.com

Feb 02, 202236:57

E23. Solar Energy and Organization is the Key to Life with Owen Johnson

Come listen to our supporter, Owen Johnson, journey. During this half hour, learn about Owen and his journey through clean energy projects and personal growth! As well as discuss his lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroof.siu.edu/

Jan 26, 202244:24

E22. 9-5 Working Life and Awarenaz Foundation with Zain Hussain

Come listen to our sponsor's, Zain Hussain, journey. During this half hour, learn about Zain and his journey through starting the Awarenaz Foundation and inspiration for choosing to study Law! As well as discuss his lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroof.siu.edu/

Jan 19, 202234:59

E21. Driven Passion for Automotives and Teams with Christian Delgado

Come listen to our team member's, Christian Delgado, journey. During this half hour, learn about Chris and his journey through his automotive career and inspiration for joining the Green Roof Team with his Mechanical Engineering degree! As well as discuss his lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroof.siu.edu/

Jan 12, 202225:11

E20. The Value of Business in Engineering with Daniel Garcia

Come listen to our team member's, Daniel Garcia, journey. During this half hour, learn about Daniel and his journey through SIU Carbondale and through Wall Street, and inspiration for joining the Green Roof Team with his Mechanical Engineering degree! As well as discuss his lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroof.siu.edu/

Jan 10, 202231:59

E19. Solar Energy Conversations with Olivia Sapp

Come listen to our team member, Olivia Sapp, an electrical engineer undergraduate at SIU Carbondale and chat about her experience with the Solar Team within the Green Roof Team. Visit For More Information: https://greenroof.siu.edu/

Jan 10, 202218:10

E18. Geothermal and Solar Solutions with Kyle Smith of Supplied Energy

Come listen to our Kyle Smith of Supplied Energy chat about his family's business as well as dive into geothermal and solar solutions for industry and residential levels. Visit For More Information: https://greenroof.siu.edu/

Jan 10, 202235:55

E17. Green Roof Project Abstract Reading with Nelson Fernandes

Come listen to our Founder, Nelson Fernandes, read the project's abstract. During this chat, learn about the basis of the project and the vision we developed through our Design Thinking Workshops. Visit For More Information: https://greenroof.siu.edu/

Nov 24, 202104:10

E16. The Importance of Enjoying The Journey with Joshua Konvalinka

Come listen to our team member's, Joshua Konvalinka, journey. During this half hour, learn about Josh and his journey through backpacking Yosemite with his Boy Scouts and inspiration for joining the Green Roof Team with his Mechanical Engineering degree! As well as discuss his lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroof.siu.edu/

Nov 10, 202131:15

E15. The Value of Industry Experience with Alex Elder

Come listen to our team member's, Alex Elder, journey. During this half hour, learn about Alex and his journey through lessons learned from working in industry before pursuing an Electrical Engineering degree! As well as discuss his lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroof.siu.edu/

Nov 03, 202129:44

E14. Small Town Culture with Tanner Clark

Come listen to our team member's, Tanner Clark, journey. During this half hour, learn about Tanner and his journey through living in Southern Illinois and choosing to study Mechanical Engineering, including chats on tractor towing! As well as discuss his lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroof.siu.edu/

Oct 27, 202131:23

E13. Microcontroller with Ichiro Pineiro

Come listen to our team member's, Ichiro Pineiro, journey. During this half hour, learn about Ichiro and his journey through the electrical engineering field, including chats on machine learning (artificial intelligence)! As well as discuss his lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroof.siu.edu/

Oct 20, 202130:56

E12. Artificial Intelligence with Stephen Schulte

Come listen to our team member's, Stephen Schulte's, journey. During this half hour, learn about Stephen and his journey through the computer science field, including chats on machine learning (artificial intelligence)! As well as discuss his lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroof.siu.edu/

Oct 13, 202129:23

E11. Sponsor Chats with H&F Visions

Come listen to our sponsor's, Andrew Francis and Derick Harris, journey. During this half hour, learn about their journey through starting up his small business, H&F Visions (https://www.instagram.com/hfvisions/)! As well as discuss his lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroof.siu.edu/

Oct 06, 202138:56

E10. Let's Chat About: Inspiring Others By Forging Your Own Path with Nelson Fernandes

Come listen to our founder's, Nelson Fernandes, inspirational talk. During this short, hear about inspiring others by forging your own path, a lesson learned through the Green Roof Project. Visit For More Information: https://greenroof.siu.edu/

Sep 29, 202105:44

E09. Sponsor Chats with Jacob Bolton

Come listen to our sponsor's, Jacob Bolton's, journey. During this half hour, learn about Jacob and his journey through life in Southern Illinois and starting up his small business, Sylvics Forestry and Nursery (https://www.sylvicstrees.com/)! As well as discuss his lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroof.siu.edu/

Sep 22, 202141:27

E08. Southern Illinois Culture with Aron Taylor

Come listen to our team member's, Aron Taylor's, journey. During this half hour, learn about Aron and his journey through life in Southern Illinois! As well as discuss his lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroof.siu.edu/

Sep 15, 202131:45

E07. Sponsor Chats with Clayton Hanks

Come listen to our team member's, Clayton Hanks's, journey. During this half hour, learn about Clay and his business: C.H. Electrical from Murphysboro, Illinois! As well as discuss his lessons learned and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroof.siu.edu/

Sep 08, 202126:03

E06. Enjoying the Process with Hein Htet Aung

Come listen to our team member's, Hein Htet Aung's, journey through the Green Roof Team. During this half hour, learn why Hein joined the Green Roof Team from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio! As well as discuss his lessons learned during the pandemic and more. Visit For More Information: https://greenroof.siu.edu/

Sep 01, 202128:04

E05. Artificial Intelligence with Prem Rana

Come listen to our team member's, Prem Rana's, journey through the Green Roof Team. During this half hour, learn why Prem joined the Green Roof Team from SIU Carbondale! As well as discuss his insights on machine learning. Visit For More Information: https://greenroof.siu.edu/

Aug 25, 202136:18