Meet Stu
Stuart Draper was honored 9 times by Inc. Magazine before he was 40 years old. The second business he started is worth 8-figures, and his third business is worth 9-figures. Needless to say, he's a seasoned entrepreneur and renowned expert in startup ventures, and is hungry to give back to entrepreneurship. He and his wife, Lindsey, are currently angel investors in eight businesses.
As the co-author of Digital Marketing Essentials, a leading textbook in higher education, Stuart has left his own mark on the digital marketing landscape. His entrepreneurial journey is illustrated by a diverse portfolio of successes, his consulting ranging from mom-and-pop shops to Fortune 500 giants.
Notably, Stuart founded GetFoundFirst.com, a digital marketing agency that he bootstrapped to success, culminating in its acquisition in December 2015. His entrepreneurial spirit and vision for innovation later led him to address a critical gap in academia. Frustrated by outdated curricula as a first-year adjunct professor, Stuart founded Stukent.com, a digital courseware company that provides dozens of Simternships (simulated internships), courseware, videos, and projects to schools as a way to update high school and college digital marketing education and give students a better shot at being successful after graduation. Since its inception, Stukent has empowered over 1,000,000 educators and students worldwide, revolutionizing digital marketing education with innovative tools like Simternships and cutting-edge courseware. Under Stuart's leadership, Stukent was recognized as the #268 fastest-growing company in the US in 2018 and has earned prestigious honors in Inc. Magazine's 5000 list for six consecutive years.
Currently residing in Idaho Falls with his wife, Lindsey, and their four children, Stuart continues to shape the future of entrepreneurship and education through angel investing and mentoring.
When he's not in a board meeting supporting entrepreneurs or podcasting, you'll find him boating, coaching his kids’ sports teams, on a humanitarian trip, serving as a volunteer minister for the Church of Jesus Christ, traveling with his wife, hunting, or trying out a new adventure.
When you are thinking about entrepreneurship, don’t wait until everything is perfect. You don't have to have all the answers or know exactly how you're going to make everything work out. You just have to be willing to get started.
About Stu's podcast, Startups with Stu
This podcast isn't like the rest.
On the show, you'll listen to Stu share advice to guest entrepreneurs. What Dave Ramsey did with financial advice, that's what Stu is doing for entrepreneurs. You'll get to hear their stories and struggles, and hear the advice Stu gives them. You'll also get to hear advice from successful founders and investors that are guests on the show from time to time.
Other times, you'll just get to hear from Stu, sharing what he has learned along the way.
Stu is a serial entrepreneur that knows just how exhilarating it is to launch a startup to the moon. He is a 9 time Inc. 5000 honoree before age 40, with tens of millions generated in revenue from his startups. He is also an angel investor in 8 businesses and is the co-author of the bestselling textbook Digital Marketing Essentials. Stu knows just what it takes to transform an innovative idea into a thriving business. Inspired by the creators of groundbreaking ventures, Startups With Stu is an illuminating podcast that dives into the trials and triumphs of startup founders and investors who have committed their lives to reaching financial freedom through entrepreneurship. Podcast guests will be seeking advice on how to overcome the obstacles they're facing. Expect motivating stories as Stu spotlights the hard-fought victories that reveal the inner workings of entrepreneurship. By demystifying the startup process, Startups With Stu aims to equip aspiring founders with the grit and know-how to transform visionary concepts into startup success.
Startups With Stu is produced using PodUp podcasting software.
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