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CitizenWorks founder Jamie Christensen joins Doug Erwin to share how she went from automating her own corporate job to building a thriving Reno AI services business. They explore human-first AI adoption, citizen developers, coding agents, job fears, entrepreneurship, and why the final pass on meaningful work should always be human. ## Show notes Jamie Christensen is the founder of CitizenWorks, a Reno-based company that helps organizations use AI and automation through workforce training and custom systems. Before launching the company, Jamie spent nearly a decade in healthcare operations. She taught herself no-code tools, automated much of her own role, and built a citizen developer program that empowered non-technical employees in HR, payroll, accounting, and recruiting to improve their own work. Jamie launched CitizenWorks after maternity leave while raising newborn twins and a two-year-old. She and Doug talk candidly about the financial pressure of that first year, the value of total commitment, and the role Reno Startup Week and Northern Nevada's entrepreneurial community played in accelerating the business. The conversation then turns to practical AI adoption. Jamie argues that most organizations are not truly behind; most are simply at the beginning. Her advice is to establish basic AI fluency, give employees safe tools and room to experiment, and let people closest to the work identify the best opportunities. Those internal citizen developers often become the people who create the most useful systems. Doug and Jamie also discuss: - Why AI is lowering the barrier to entrepreneurship - How domain expertise and strong relationships become more valuable as building gets easier - Why companies should treat AI as a growth multiplier, not merely a headcount-reduction tool - Jevons paradox and the likelihood that cheaper intelligence creates more work and more possibilities - How coding agents let non-technical people orchestrate work across multiple systems - The difference between using AI to do less and using it to offer customers more - Bottom-up experimentation versus top-down mandates - Data security, open models, and owning the harness around your AI systems - Why model choice matters less than finding valuable use cases - The danger of mistaking AI-generated output for truly original thinking - Why every consequential message deserves a human final pass - The importance of founder community through Kiln, EO Reno Tahoe, and Reno Startup Week

Doug Erwin sits down with Tristan Pollock, Managing Director of Generator’s Electrify Nevada program, to talk about Reno’s growing startup ecosystem, Nevada’s strategic advantage in energy and hard tech, and why the region is positioned for a new wave of founder growth. They cover Tristan’s path from startup founder to accelerator operator and investor, the role of AI in entrepreneurship, and how Nevada can turn speed, infrastructure, lifestyle, and deep-tech talent into a durable startup flywheel. Show notes In this episode of Growth Pioneers, Doug talks with Tristan Pollock about the next phase of Reno’s startup ecosystem. Tristan shares how his journey from Minnesota to Silicon Valley, 500 Startups, climate investing, and global accelerator work eventually brought him to Reno. Now leading Generator’s Electrify Nevada program, he is focused on helping energy, battery, manufacturing, industrial AI, and hard-tech founders break into Nevada’s ecosystem faster. The conversation explores why Nevada has become such a compelling place for founders: proximity to Silicon Valley, fast permitting, major industrial infrastructure, lithium and geothermal strengths, renewable energy, the Tahoe/Reno lifestyle, and a growing base of startup success stories like Positron, Redwood Materials, Ampersand, and SendCutSend. Doug and Tristan also dig into AI’s impact on founders, fundraising, outreach, and company building. Rather than treating AI as just better prompting, they talk about it as a new operating layer for entrepreneurs: helping people research, build, automate, and scale faster than ever before. The episode closes with a broader conversation about optimism, social impact, the future of work, and why curiosity may be the most important entrepreneurial skill in a period of rapid technological change. Key themes • Reno’s ecosystem is moving from potential to sophistication. • Electrify Nevada helps founders speedrun market entry into Nevada. • Nevada’s edge is strongest in energy, batteries, mining, manufacturing, logistics, hard tech, and industrial AI. • AI is changing how founders build, raise capital, find customers, and operate. • The next regional win is building a self-reinforcing startup flywheel: talent, capital, exits, reinvestment, and local founder density. • Optimism and curiosity matter in a moment where technology is changing faster than institutions can adapt.

On this special episode of the Growth Pioneers Doug joins host Mary Meyer of the Health Happy Wise and Wealthy podcast to discuss Reno Startup Week 2025.Mary Meyer brings together an inspiring panel of Reno's entrepreneurship leaders—including Doug Erwin, Candi Block, Monica Terrero, Daniel Smith, Melissa Saavedra, and Allison Greene—to give you an insider’s look at Reno Startup Week. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a seasoned entrepreneur, or just startup-curious, this episode unpacks how a free, week-long event can help launch, grow, and nourish local small businesses and innovation, and why removing cost barriers for entrepreneurs is so vital. Get ready for takeaways on networking, pitch competitions, government support, community organizations, wellness initiatives, and much more, straight from the passionate volunteers and ecosystem builders making it happen. Topics Covered: -What is Reno Startup Week and who is it for? -The power of keeping entrepreneurial resources free -How government and nonprofits collaborate to support founders -Pitch competition: structure, prizes, and founder stories -Breakout sessions on funding, scale, tech, retail, and AI -Resource fairs for the Latino community and all small businesses -Health & wellness activities for founders (meditation, yoga, more) -Networking and making real connections in Reno’s startup scene -Closing celebrations and the role of arts, music, and fun. Key Takeaways: -Reno Startup Week is intentionally free, maximizing accessibility for all—regardless of financial means or background. -Startup resources and networking should be open to the full spectrum of entrepreneurs, from tech innovators to brick-and-mortar business owners, across all demographics. -Government collaboration (via Nevada’s Governor’s Office of Economic Development) is critical for removing barriers, providing resources, and making real, systemic change for small businesses. -Pitch competitions and resource fairs empower founders to share ideas, gain exposure, and tap into vital networks. -Wellness and personal growth are just as important for entrepreneurial success as strategic know-how. -Networking is built into every layer of the week, from casual coffee to structured sessions and inclusive celebrations. -AI and current tech trends are not just for “techies”—established local businesses will find actionable tools and education. -Reno Startup Week is a living example of how community, public support, and open access create fertile ground for entrepreneurship.

On this episode of the podcast Doug speaks with Joe Chauklin the founder of Freedom Air. Freedom Air is a new charter air service in Reno operating multiple turbo prop aircraft and executive helicopters. They discuss the origin of Freedom Air, the need it fills in our community and the intricacies of running a charter service. Special thanks to Joe and team for hosting Reno Startup Week's Poker Tournament fundraiser in August.

On this episode Doug speaks with Mitesh Agrawal the CEO of Positron.ai. Positron is advancing the world of AI hardware right here in the Biggest Little City, with their first product that provides 3X the performance of NVIDA at a lower cost. They discuss the changing landscape of AI, the importance of purpose built hardware and Positrons unique value. They discuss the Positron team, their investors and their success to date as well as dive in the future for them in our region.

On this episode of the podcast Doug speaks with Jon Dalton, President of the Nevada Coalition for Psychedelic Medicine. JD, a former Navy SEAL of 23 years, shares his personal story of overcoming debilitating depression and anxiety because of multiple traumatic brain injuries and combat related trauma. They discuss the current state of Veterans mental health, suicide rates and treatment modalities. They explore the promise of psychedelic medicine in addressing mental health challenges facing Veterans and the barriers to access. They deep dive into NCPMs role in changing policy in Nevada and outline a legislative framework for providing access regulated legal access.

On this episode of the Growth Pioneers, Doug speaks with Sean Montgomery. Sean has a PhD in Neuroscience, is an immersive experience artist, and the founder of a medical wearables company. They talk about Sean's journey to Reno and dive deep into his current product which detects minor cognitive decline. They also have a wide ranging conversation about the future of wearables as it relates to consciousness, subtle energy, meditation and human flourishing.

In this episode of The Growth Pioneers Podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome David Ezell, a brand strategist at Meta and host of the podcast How to Ride a Roller Coaster. David shares his journey as a recent transplant from Dallas to Reno, bringing a unique perspective on ecosystem building in both cities. Together, we dive into his experiences interviewing entrepreneurs, his insights into the dynamics of Reno and Dallas, and the future of entrepreneurial growth here in Reno. David's dynamic personality and passion for the entrepreneurial mindset make this conversation both engaging and inspiring. Join us as we explore the nuances of building supportive communities for entrepreneurs and the exciting possibilities for Reno's future.

In this episode of the Growth Pioneers, Doug speaks with Candi and Juston from the EDAWN entrepreneurial team. They discuss the why behind Startup Week, its impact on the community and some key insights and highlights from this years event. They also discuss the Reno Startup Deck 4.0, the importance of core values in community building, their personal motivations for doing this work and new events and programs for the ecosystem for the rest of 2024 and into 2025.

On this episode of Growth Pioneers, Doug speaks with Rachel Macintyre, the City of Reno Activation Manager, to explore the transformative power of revitalizing urban spaces. Rachel shares her journey as a serial entrepreneur, detailing the highs and lows of her career and how she has channeled her passion for creation into projects that breathe new life into downtown Reno. From activating underutilized spaces to fostering a vibrant community, Rachel’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of positive change. Tune in to discover how entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for urban renewal and community empowerment

On this episode of the podcast Doug speaks with Tyson Falk the Government and Public Affairs manager of Ioneer. Ioneer is a mining company that has discovered a unique deposit of Lithium and Boron in Nevada. They discuss the local, regional and global significance of Lithium, Ioneers unique value proposition and the exciting prospect the project has on Nevadas Economy.

On this episode of the Growth Pioneers, Doug speaks with Jennifer Mcdonald who is The Assistant Director of Activism Special Projects from the Institute for Justice (IJ). The IJ is a national nonprofit law firm dedicated to protecting individuals' rights against government violations. Jennifer Mcdonald started her career in California politics before transitioning into evidence-based policymaking, earning an MPA along the way. Jennifer joined IJ, where she spent seven years on the research team, focusing on issues like food trucks and home-based businesses. At IJ, she now works on the activism team, engaging in legislative and policy work at various government levels. IJ's mission includes safeguarding property rights, eminent domain, First Amendment rights, and economic liberty. They believe everyone has the right to earn an honest living doing what they love, without unnecessary government barriers like restrictive occupational licensing laws and high fees. Tune in to learn about the impactful work IJ does to support entrepreneurs, and their commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem. For one of Reno Startup Week’s engaging discussions, the institute for justice will be hosting an interactive discussion session.

On this episode of the podcast Doug speaks with Matt Nordby the Founder and Managing Partner of Flume Ventures based in Incline Village. Matt is an amazing human with a really interesting career path. He was an young executive at Sun Microsystems, went on to start a company, which was later sold, then became the President of Playboy Enterprises , and is now currently in the role of managing partner at Flume. Flume is a non traditional venture fund with some really impressive partners including Scott McNealy from Sun and Dave Duffield from PeopleSoft and Workday. They have a unique thesis and are committed to supporting Nevada's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

On this special episode of the podcast Doug speaks with his colleagues Juston Berg and Katie Freeman about Reno Startup Week. They discuss the rationale for Startup Week, the importance for the startup community and its value alignment with EDAWNs mission. They dive deep into the events, people and activities that are making Reno Startup Week a unique inaugural event. Sept 25-29 RenoStartupWeek.com

On this episode of the podcast Doug speaks with Cisco Aguilar Nevada's Secretary of State. Cisco is a former Entrepreneur who is committed to streamlining government and supporting entrepreneurs. They discuss the role of the Secretary of State and some of the key initiatives impacting entrepreneurs including revamping the states business portal Silver flume, changes in the accredited investor standards and much more.