Cereal with a Serial Entrepreneur - Mark Cleveland
Date and Time
Thursday May 2, 2024
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM CDT
Location
Nashville Entrepreneur Center 41 Peabody St Nashville, TN 37210
Fees/Admission
FREE!
Website
Description
Join us on the first Thursday of the month for a big bowl of your favorite childhood cereal and a conversation with a Nashville entrepreneur. Learn from someone who's been there and done that - hear their story and learn from their mistakes. Our featured serial entrepreneur this month is Mark Cleveland.
About Mark Cleveland:
Mark Cleveland is a born connector – insatiably curious about people and persistent in his belief that good ideas deserve air supply. This fuels his commitment to fostering lasting relationships. His boyish optimism and genuine enthusiasm are expressed in his lifelong pursuit of entrepreneurship, always seeking out the next opportunity to disrupt and innovate in any arena.
Together with his drive for learning, these traits led him to success in industries ranging from satellite systems to software development, manufacturing and short sea shipping. Mark spent 19 years in transportation technologies and services, with a rare distinction of having launched a “blue water” container-on-barge start up operation serving the gulf ports of Tampa, Florida and Brownsville, Texas.
Mark is the Co-Founder and former CEO of Swiftwick, a premium athletic sock brand inspired by the mission to manufacture its high quality product in Tennessee. He bought Brentwood based Hobby Lobby, (later rebranded to Hobby Express) selling radio control airplanes, cars and family hobby products, where he developed skills managing large global supply chains and building consumer brands.
Mark's numerous accolades, including the NEXT Award as 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year, the Governor's Award for Trade Excellence, and recognition from the Nashville Business Journal as one of the region's “Most Admired” CEOs -- at the helm of three different companies -- speak for themselves.
He knows that incentives and better information lead to success, so he’s using big data and Artificial Intelligence to improve transportation for everyone in Middle Tennessee.
Mark is currently CEO and Co-Founder of Hytch Rewards, an innovative cash incentive management platform that rewards drivers and passengers for smart mobility choices. Hytch is a good idea Mark refused to give up on, through the Pandemic lockdown to this day and this example of long term focus demonstrates his commitment to sustainability and technology innovation. Hytch has won Tennessee Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Sustainable Transportation Award, and the Nashville Technology Council’s Emerging Company of the Year Award.
Known as a man constantly on the move, Mark recognizes the importance of “Service Above Self” and a balanced life. He has been a Rotarian for more than 35 years, finds joy in outdoor adventures, cycling, hot yoga, connecting with family, and embracing every opportunity to give back to his community.
Parking is available in the red brick parking garage located behind the trolley barns (entrance on Lea Avenue); please bring your ticket inside for validation.