Plugging the Gap: How Josh Rodgers is Using a High Tech Llama to Solve the Substitute Teacher Crisis

This week host Marty Mechtenberg and Susan Ford sit down with Josh Rodgers from Mili Llama to dive into the entrepreneurial mindset transforming the educational landscape in the South Bend-Elkhart region of Indiana. With a focus on community-based solutions, Mili Llama aims to address the substitute teacher shortage by leveraging local talent. Josh Rodgers shares his moving story of crossing from the security of traditional employment to the unpredictable yet rewarding world of startups. Listen this week as we discuss the essence of entrepreneurship—the risks, the passion, and the unwavering belief in one's mission, proving that a tight-knit community and local engagement are key to any startup's success story.QUOTES“You get comfortable with receiving no. There comes a time when you receive so many nos that the flame dims in you. But when you receive that one yes, no matter how small it is, it means so much more because you've been told no 300 times.” -Josh Rodgers [08:12]“Sometimes there's a high demand for things, but people don't want to plug the solution in, and that's the problem that we're having. Schools recognize this demand, this problem, and they want to find a solution, but they're dealing with a thousand other things at the same time.” -Josh Rodgers [18:02]TIMESTAMPS(03:39) Unveiling the Reality Behind Mili Llama(07:45) Embracing Rejection on the Entrepreneurial Journey(10:11) Cultivating Lasting Customer Relationships in Early Business Stages(15:31) Localizing Education: South Bend's Untapped Talent(23:33) Building Trust and Relationships in Educational Technology(33:35) Embracing Community Diversity and Business Growth in South BendRESOURCESJosh Rodgers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-rodgers-60aaaa82/ CONTACTMartin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/ Susan Ford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-howard-ford-8446441/ Mentioned in this episode:Proof of Concept Funding for South Bend & Elkhart RegionProof of Concept Fund