If you have ever opened your luggage when you got home from vacation to find your clothes damp and your shampoo bottle half empty, Kelly Shea has a solution for you. She invented the device that stops pump bottles from spilling during travel. As a Cenfluence cluster coordinator, Shea is now applying the experience she gleaned as a young entrepreneur and founder of DripLock to help other small and innovative businesses in Central Florida.
An avid Shark Tank fan, the University of Central Florida graduate has been intrigued by entrepreneurship from a young age. Despite entering college as an elementary education major, Shea never stopped innovating and problem solving. The entrepreneurial resources at UCF reengaged her love for business, while her education classes taught her communication skills and the ability to address everyone’s individual needs. Ultimately, Shea chose to follow her entrepreneurial instincts, but with Cenfluence she uses her complete skill set to help build the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Shea’s journey from an elementary education major at the University of Central Florida to entrepreneur to economic developer showcases her adaptable skills. The Orlando Inno Under 25 honoree may be a newcomer to economic development, but has already exceled at aligning opportunities for Central Florida innovators and advocating for boundary breaking collaborations. Her capacity to connect with diverse stakeholders and her entrepreneurial spirit make her an ideal candidate to foster innovation in startup communities.
How would you explain your job?
My role in Cenfluence is to help facilitate connections across our clusters and to assist our Cluster Managers with their day-to-day activities. Cluster Managers work hard to assist companies with all of their needs. My goal is to help them with the more administrative side so that their experience can best serve our companies.
What advice would you give to people who are new to ecosystem building?
For anyone looking to start building their ecosystem, I would tell them to take all the opportunities that arise. When starting my own company, people would offer up events, webinars, etc. and I said yes to them all, even if they were not meant for my specific industry. What this allowed me to do is create connections and educate myself on topics that I did not even think would apply to me, but did. I now have many connections for varying fields of work that I can speak with if something arises around that area, or even facilitating further connections for others.
What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about our regional innovation ecosystem?
One of the more surprising things that I have learned about our regional ecosystem is how many programs there are to help entrepreneurs grow. When I initially entered the Central Florida ecosystem, I was still in college. I was aware of many programs around this area that serve student-run companies. Once I started at Cenfluence, I began to learn more about how the regional innovation system truly works as a team to help all companies, no matter the founders age or the stage of their company.
What has been your proudest professional moment since joining The Corridor team?
Since joining The Corridor team, my proudest professional accomplishment has been the knowledge that I have gained in just these short seven months. One thing about this team is that everyone is so incredibly knowledgeable and works amazing together; they have all taught me so much. I am learning while I am doing and that’s all that I could ask for!
What resource do you wish more entrepreneurs knew about?
One resource that I wish more entrepreneurs knew about is the UCF’s Blackstone Launchpad. The Launchpad is an organization at UCF where students can get one-on-one confidential coaching for their idea or business. Although there are many members of the ecosystem that aren’t students, I believe that this organization is very deserving of recognition; they are the ones that taught me everything that I know about business as a non-business major. Oftentimes, they look out to the community for support and resources to keep helping students.
Of all the events available to attend in our ecosystem each year, which is your favorite? Why?
Of all of the events I have attended throughout the years, I find the Florida Venture Forum’s Early-Stage Venture Conference to be quite enjoyable. Not only are you given the opportunity to speak with Inventors, but you are given a lot of time to network with experts in a variety of Industries. This event is actually where I met the Florida High Tech Corridor’s CEO Paul Sohl while in my freshman year at UCF. I also enjoy pitch competitions, as I have competed in many, so that element elevates the event for me as well.
When you aren’t working, where are we most likely to find you?
When I am not at work, I can be found at UCF sporting events, specifically baseball or football, or at the gym. I enjoy being active with activities like inshore saltwater fishing, golfing, and more.