When the market ignores customers, what does it take for an entrepreneurial leader to fill the void? Babson College student Jolie Wyatt ’26 was tired of being overlooked and is now on a mission to change footwear for millions of women. In this episode, Wyatt shares how she launched If The Shoe Fits, a tech-driven startup designing custom footwear addressing the lack of options for women’s sizes, such as the size 12 she wears. Jolie explains how entrepreneurial leadership, vulnerability, and resilience helped her transform a personal frustration into a scalable business. From leading student government at Babson to navigating chronic illness, Wyatt shows how bold, mission-driven entrepreneurship can create impact beyond profit.

Show Notes
Jolie Wyatt BIO https://www.linkedin.com/in/joliewyatt/

Jolie’s Story https://iftheshoefits.co/pages/our-story

If The Shoe Fits https://iftheshoefits.co/

Babson Thought & Action: “From Acceptance to Leadership: The Personal Journey of Babson’s SGA President” https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/sga-president/

Babson Thought & Action: “Babson Entrepreneurs Lead the Way on BostInno’s 25 Under 25 List” https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/bostinno-25-under-25-2/

Student well-being has moved from the margins to the center of higher education, and for good reason. Today’s students are feeling the squeeze of unprecedented pressure, heightened security concerns, and the nonstop anxiety of our times. In this episode, we unpack how colleges are adapting, with two innovative national leaders on campus well-being: Ryan Travia, Ed.D., Associate Vice President for Student Success at Babson College, and Dr. Thad Mantaro, Dean of Student Health and Wellness at Dallas College. Though their schools serve students in different regions and different socio-economic backgrounds, their work reveals a common road map for what’s working, what’s falling short, and what students truly need to thrive in our times.

Show Notes
Ryan Travia: https://www.babson.edu/health-and-wellness/meet-the-staff/ryan-travia/
Thad Mantaro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-thaddeus-mantaro-7435728/
Ryan Travia and Thad Mantaro’s book, “Well-Being Leadership in Higher Education” https://www.naspa.org/book/well-being-leadership-in-higher-education-a-guide-for-successful-well-being-programs
Babson Thought & Action: “Leading the Way: Babson Wellness Chief Elevates Well-Being Priorities in Higher Education: https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/well-being-in-higher-education/
Babson College Health and Wellbeing: https://www.babson.edu/undergraduate/student-life/mental-health-and-wellbeing/\
Dallas College: Student Well-being and Health Promotion: https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/health-centers/health-promotion/
Dallas College: Eight Dimensions of Wellness: https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/health-centers/health-promotion/wellness/

What happens when passion becomes both the greatest gift and the biggest risk for an entrepreneurial leader? For Jamie Siminoff ’99, H’21, the founder of Ring, his passion was undeniable as he pursued his dream. But after failing to secure an investor on Shark Tank, Siminoff faced rejection and self-doubt and then a moment of self-reflection. In this episode, we revisit his journey, from Babson College to Shark Tank to now as a co-author of "Ding Dong: How Ring Went From Shark Tank Reject To Everyone's Front Door." Siminoff’s journey carries the emotional weight of leadership, and reflects how he balanced bold vision with humility and reminds every entrepreneurial leader that innovation thrives not on perfection, but on the courage to fall, rebuild, and rise again, ultimately leading to his billion-dollar breakthrough.

Show Notes

Jamie’s appearance on Shark Tank https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um-iVXiXedc

Babson Magazine: The Biggest Miss in “Shark Tank” History: Ring Founder Jamie Siminoff ’99, H’21 Looks Back https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/ring-on-shark-tank/

Babson Magazine: Shaq, a Snowstorm Ride, and Other Entrepreneurial Tales from Ring Founder Jamie Siminoff ’99, H’21 https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/entrepreneurial-tales-from-jamie-siminoff/

Babson Magazine: Meet the Babson Names Behind Your Favorite “Shark Tank” Products https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/babson-shark-tank-products/

Fortune: Ring’s founder went from shoveling horse stalls to selling to Amazon for $1.15 billion and says work-life balance is a myth https://fortune.com/2025/11/10/ring-founder-jamie-siminoff-hustle-success-story-no-work-life-balance-sold-to-amazon-billion-dollar-company/

Inc.: How Ring’s Jamie Siminoff Navigated Failure to Achieve Great Success https://www.inc.com/video/how-rings-jamie-siminoff-navigated-failure-to-achieve-great-success.html