缅北禁地

When theory meets reality, transformational learning happens. This fall, Entrepreneurship Instructor Molly McKinley’s New Venture Launch & Management students are getting more than lectures and case studies. They’re working as strategic consultants on a real business.

In an innovative partnership that bridges academic excellence with real-world impact, decorated Air Force veteran and entrepreneur is opening her business playbook to Meredith students. As founder of Mutt’s Sauce, Scales brings over 15 years of cross-sector leadership and the hard-earned wisdom of building a business from the ground up.

A Revolutionary Classroom Experience

Every Tuesday, students gather not just as learners, but as strategic consultants. Scales shares the unvarnished truth of her entrepreneurial journey, including the victories, the setbacks, and the pivotal decisions that shaped Mutt’s Sauce. From navigating QVC contracts to managing operational challenges, students witness firsthand how real businesses solve complex problems.

“This isn’t about case studies from textbooks,” explains McKinley, who founded marketing consultancy Redtail Creative in 2015. “Our students are analyzing live business challenges and developing strategies that will be implemented. The stakes are real, and so is the learning.”

Strategy in Action

The course follows a unique rhythm with Problem Immersion on Tuesdays, followed by Strategic Analysis on Thursdays. Students apply frameworks like the IMPACT methodology to deconstruct business challenges systematically, then rebuild solutions with implementation roadmaps.

Week by week, they tackle everything from business model breakdowns and operational systems to distribution channel strategy and financial modeling. They also dive deep into team building and customer development, brand positioning and competitive analysis, plus funding strategies and market validation.

Each week builds toward a comprehensive understanding of how successful ventures navigate their first critical 24 months. This is the make-or-break period when most small businesses either thrive or fail.

The Ultimate Real-World Test

The semester culminates in something unprecedented. Students will pitch their strategic recommendations Shark Tank-style to Scales herself. The winning strategy won’t just earn a grade but will guide Mutt’s Sauce’s January 2026 relaunch.

“When students know their work will influence real business decisions, the level of engagement and rigor transforms completely,” notes McKinley. “They’re not just completing assignments. They’re delivering professional consulting work that creates genuine value.”

Empowering Women in Business

This partnership embodies Meredith’s commitment to developing confident female leaders. Students work directly with Scales, a successful entrepreneur who has managed $20B+ portfolios and raised over $5M in funding for place-based ventures that uplift underserved communities.

“Seeing Charlynda’s journey from military leadership to entrepreneurship shows our students what’s possible,” McKinley reflects. “They’re learning not just business strategy, but how to navigate challenges with resilience and authenticity.”

Where Learning Meets Legacy

The course represents more than innovative pedagogy. It’s a model for how higher education can create immediate, tangible impact. Students graduate with portfolio-worthy consulting experience, while Scales benefits from fresh perspectives and rigorous strategic analysis.

As the semester progresses, these future business leaders aren’t just preparing for careers. They’re actively shaping one. In January, when Mutt’s Sauce relaunches with student-developed strategies, the classroom will have achieved something remarkable by turning academic excellence into entrepreneurial success.

The future of business education isn’t just about what students learn. It’s about what they create. At 缅北禁地, that future is happening now.

Molly McKinley is the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the School of Business. She is the founder of Redtail Creative and author of The Intentional Business. Charlynda Scales serves on multiple advisory boards and is actively engaged in national leadership focused on equity and economic empowerment.