We truly believe that God positions everybody where he needs them, when he needs them, in what point of life. And we can look back through the journey that we're currently on with the Water Rippler and see contacts that we made 30 plus years ago in college that are now a part of what we're doing with the Water Rippler - Shondah Otwell

Discover the journey of a husband-and-wife team that set out to solve a problem on their working ranch and discover the trials and successes of becoming entrepreneurs. From facing the challenges of ranching in Wyoming to innovating a game-changing solution called the Water Rippler, this story will inspire you. It took six years to bring their idea to life, a lot of trial and error, but perseverance paid off! Stay tuned to learn more about the resilience and determination that led to this groundbreaking innovation.

Meet Randall and Shondah Otwell, fourth-generation family ranchers from Oshoto, Wyoming, have leveraged their deep understanding of ranching challenges to develop the Water Rippler, an innovative solution for stock tanks. Their experience in managing the family ranch, combined with a commitment to sustainability, led to the creation of a product that effectively addresses the complexities of winter water management for livestock while also providing year-round benefits. Shondah and Randall’s entrepreneurial journey underscores the potential for practical innovation within the family ranching community, offering a tangible example of improved operational efficiency and sustainability.

My Special Guest is Shondah Otwell

Shondah attended the University of Wyoming and graduated with a BS Degree in Finance. For more than 25 years worked as a computer network engineer and owned and operated several business network consulting companies. Her husband, Randall, is originally from Louisiana, and after his high school graduation he joined the Army. After his service he found his way to Oshoto to work on a neighboring ranch. Randall is a Journeyman Electrician, Master Electrician and Substation Electrician and worked in the electrical industry for more than 20 years. In 2010, they returned to her family ranch to care for it after her father passed away.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Discover the Water Rippler, an innovative solution for livestock water tanks to optimize water management and improve herd health.

• Uncover the benefits of the Water Rippler for livestock, and how it can revolutionize your watering system for increased efficiency and cost savings.

• Visit the Facebook page Water Rippler to learn more about the product and stay updated on its availability and launch date.

• Check out the e-commerce website www.water-rippler.com to find more information about the Water Rippler and to place orders once it becomes available for purchase.

• Gener8tor program’s website and learn more about their free accelerator programs for entrepreneurs and innovators in Wyoming.

• Visit the website Gener8tor to explore the various programs and resources offered by Generator, including their investment accelerator and free G Beta program.

• Connect with Stephanie or Bailey to learn more about the programs and get involved in the entrepreneurial community in Wyoming.

• Subscribe to the Winds of Change podcast to never miss an episode and stay updated on stories of Wyoming entrepreneurs and innovators.

• Explore the resources provided by the Wyoming Humanities Council at Thinkwy.org to engage with the humanities and storytelling in Wyoming.

Follow Us on These Channels:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/emydigrappa/

• www.ThinkWY.org

• https://www.facebook.com/storiesaboutwhy

• https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy

• Listen on all your favorite platforms and subscribe!

• As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on Instagram or visit the webpage of the Wyoming Humanities!

The universe is predicated on abundance. Our existence, our Planet, our communities, our love, our communications, all of this is all abundance. That's what we need to tap into. - Marko Ruble

Imagine a Wyoming entrepreneur who started his journey in the heart of Cody, Wyoming with a childhood filled with adventures, family travels and curiosity. Little did he know that his upbringing in the land of high altitudes and low multitudes would spark an innovative transformation in the travel industry. In this episode we go on a journey that led him to create AI-driven smart maps in a state with a population slightly bigger than Fresno, California, but with the potential to impact the world. Discover how this entrepreneur's Wyoming roots and abundance mindset shaped his path, and how his solution-focused approach can inspire aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace problem-solving and strategy.

My special guest is Marko Ruble

Marko Ruble - Marko is the CEO and Co-founder of Yerguides.io. Marko is a traveler, artist, entrepreneur, and father. He is the founder of WHAT Fest a decentralized music and arts festival providing access to the arts in rural Wyoming, Co-Founder of BendeRuble Sound LLC a live production company, Co-Founder of A&R Trading LLC an import export brokerage formally providing services in Myanmar and the U.S.A.

While in Myanmar Marko got detained near the Chinese border and while being interrogated realized that despite having access to all major travel apps he needed a map that would help him navigate place, but also a map with waypoints infused with user generated content and experiences to navigate culture, yerguides.io was born.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Learn about the art of transforming travel with AI-driven maps.

• Learn the adventure, advantage and struggles of entrepreneurship and innovation in Wyoming.

• Learn the strategies for building scalable startups in low-population states.

• Yerguides.io use of blockchain technology ensures digital copyright, ownership, and incentivization for users sharing their personalized maps.

• Through the app Yerguides.io opens possibilities for community engagement and economic growth beyond traditional tourism.

• Visit yourguides.io to learn more about a travel and adventure marketplace that transforms user-generated travel maps into AI-driven smart maps.

• Check out whatfest.com to find out more about WhatFest, a decentralized music and arts festival providing access to the arts in rural Wyoming.

• Gener8tor program’s website and learn more about their free accelerator programs for entrepreneurs and innovators in Wyoming.

• Visit Thinkwy.org to learn more about Wyoming Humanities Council and their support for the Winds of Change podcast.

Follow Us on These Channels:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/emydigrappa/

• www.ThinkWY.org

• https://www.facebook.com/storiesaboutwhy

• https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy

• Listen on all your favorite platforms and subscribe!

• As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on Instagram or visit the webpage of the Wyoming Humanities!

The American dream is often elusive, but it's also not necessarily the right dream. - Mark Koep

Have you ever felt frustrated by the lack of information when trying to plan a camping trip? Let's explore how innovative technology is revolutionizing the way we choose and experience campgrounds, making outdoor getaways more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. Today on the Winds of Change podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Mark Koep, an entrepreneur with a groundbreaking technology called Campgroundviews.com.

My special guest is Mark Koep

Mark Koep is the visionary force behind Campgroundviews.com, a technological breakthrough transforming how individuals discover and secure campsites. With a background in digital marketing, Mark's entrepreneurial journey commenced with a digital marketing agency, followed by an extensive 12-year RV expedition across the United States. Driven by the challenges of traditional camping experiences, Mark's innovative solution offers virtual campground tours, providing comprehensive information for travelers to make well-informed decisions. Drawing from his formative years witnessing his mother's small business, Mark's entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in reshaping the outdoor hospitality industry, establishing him as a pioneering figure in redefining the camping landscape for outdoor enthusiasts.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover the benefits of RV camping and how it can transform your outdoor experiences.

• Learn how to start a successful business while embracing the freedom of an RV lifestyle.

• Learn how COVID impacted RV travel and how entrepreneurs have adapted.

• Explore the advantages of virtual campground tours and how they can enhance your outdoor adventures.

Understand the impact

Mark Koep's journey highlights the profound impact that digital marketing and technology can have on niche markets and specialized industries. By delving into the development of CampgroundViews.com, listeners can gain a deeper understanding of how innovative digital solutions can revolutionize traditional business models. Mark's experiences underscore the transformative power of embracing digital strategies to create meaningful connections with audiences and drive business success.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Visit CampgroundViews.com to explore 360-degree virtual tours of campgrounds and RV parks across the country.

• Download the Campground Views app from the Google Play Store or iOS store to access virtual tours and information on the go.

• Connect with Campground Views on social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for updates, tips, and engaging content related to camping and RVing.

• Explore the YouTube channel of Campground Views for video content showcasing various campgrounds and RV parks, providing insights and visuals for potential camping trips.

• Subscribe to the Winds of Change podcast to listen to more inspiring stories and conversations brought to you by Wyoming Humanities Council.

Follow Us on These Channels:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/emydigrappa/

• www.ThinkWY.org

• https://www.facebook.com/storiesaboutwhy

• https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutwhy

• Listen on all your favorite platforms and subscribe!

• As always leave a review if you enjoyed these stories and follow us on Instagram or visit the webpage of the Wyoming Humanities!