Interview: Jocelyn Galicia Powell
Jocelyn Galicia Powell is well known in the Wichita Startup Ecosystem as an entrepreneur and technologist. She recently joined Groover Labs as a dedicated desk member. We caught up with Jocelyn to find out what she’s working on. Read our interview below:
What are you working on these days in the tech space?
I’m in build mode on two companies. GO ACADEMIX is a learning management + operations + student information system for Allied Health schools. Trying to help healthcare schools train more workers since the US has a 3.2 million healthcare worker shortage. I'm also working as Head of Operations for Planetary Talent. It's a talent matching platform where we use storytelling to help fast growing startups build global teams rapidly.
How did you get connected with Mark and Jacob, who office at Groover Labs, with Planetary Talent?
Jacob and I were both Jabara Entrepreneurship Scholars at WSU and worked at the Center for Entrepreneurship. We connected in college over our love for entrepreneurship. We had a double date with our spouses 6 years ago and instantly became really close friends. Mark was a mentor during the First Campfire cohort that I attended. When I sold my detailing company and moved into Groover this year, I was sitting 20 feet from their office. They realized they needed someone with experience in operations and asked me to join, I was thrilled to learn from them and help build.
Tell us more about GO ACADEMIX.
GO ACADEMIX modernizes how Allied Health schools teach, certify, and place students. Healthcare training has been stuck in PDFs, spreadsheets, and outdated LMS systems. We built a platform that handles registration, curriculum, clinical tracking, tests, messaging, compliance, and community. It makes it easier for schools to run and easier for students to graduate into high demand jobs. We’re piloting with my husband's school Allied Health Career Training and expanding to other schools this year.
Aside from tech startups, you are also involved in retail and brick and mortar at Cheney Lake. How’s that going and where can people support you?
The Outpost at Cheney Lake is our family owned restaurant, bar and convenience store. It has a mini vacation vibe and is a fun spot to eat, drink, rent kayaks, buy bait, beer, etc. It opened in 2022 and is growing with weekly live music, karaoke, crafting, catering, and private parties. People can support us by visiting year round! It's a vibe!
You do a lot! How do you find time to do it all?
I don't do it all, thankfully. I am surrounded by teams of incredible people. We have managers in place at the brick and mortars and leverage technology to stay up to date on metrics that matter virtually. When I encounter any problem or new task I spend time deciding how I can delegate, automate or eliminate so it never touches my desk again. I also have a phenomenal husband, family and nannies.
We hear you have kids. Tell us more!
I have a one year old and two year old which keep my home life chaotic and hilarious. It's incredibly satisfying to watch them grow up. I finally started sleeping mostly through the night a month ago and I am thrilled!
