The desire to foster a Christ-like community is something that drove Nick and Molly Pastermack, the new entrepreneurs in residence, back to Taylor University.
The Pastermack’s, who moved to Florida after meeting at and graduating from Taylor, wanted to pour back into the community that influenced both of them so strongly. They are excited to see Taylor sticking to the same values that attracted them to Taylor over 20 years ago, Molly said.
Nick, a graduate of the class of 2000 and resident of the fourth floor of Samuel Morris Hall (Penthouse) and Molly a graduate of 99’, work together to mentor college kids and develop them into entrepreneurs.
“The idea of her running off on her end of doing her thing and me running off and doing my thing, and then getting together at night and falling into bed exhausted and saying ‘Oh, you had a good day too’ doesn’t work for us,” Nick said.“We run hard together.”
The two of them do most of their work together, trading off who teaches, and working to mentor students together. They can’t imagine it being any other way, Nick said.
Working together has allowed them to see their strengths and know how to respond to situations, Nick said.
“We know our lanes, what she’s good at, what I’m good at, and we’ve dove deep into our strengths and personalities and how we fit together, which has really blessed our marriage because we understand each other well,” Nick said. “We can have a deep understanding of why we respond the way we do. It’s allowed us to have a very strong relationship with the two of us and also continue to work together in whatever capacity.”
They love to inspire college kids and have them over to their house for pancakes on Saturday mornings.
They have a passion for not only spiritual mentoring, but also for developing leadership skills in both the business students they work with and students simply interested in running businesses, Molly said.
“Entrepreneurship will help you monetize your major,” Nick said. “If someone gets a music degree, that’s beautiful. But how do you go and make money from that? We can be the minor.”
From lunches to coffee meetings with students, the Pastermack’s find ways to inspire and come alongside students. They love discussing future business ideas and encouraging students to take action as well, Molly said.
With their own individual strengths in the business world, Nick and Molly can work together to more efficiently teach and mentor students in both business and Christ.
“I know more of the business law, the finance, more of the numbers side of things, whereas she’s really good with building teams, building communities, working relationally with people and helping them figure out how to lead better and how to operate teams and that kind of thing,” Nick said. “So we definitely blend well and it's been a good fit.”
Nick and Molly have a lot of experience in the business world. They started or acquired over twenty different small businesses since their time at Taylor. From chocolate companies, to wellness studios, to coffee shops, their hands are full. The key in all these businesses, however, is faith and Jesus, Nick said. He also manages around a dozen of the companies while being at Taylor.
“Our true mission in life is to inspire, develop and network life-giving businesses and life- giving entrepreneurs,” Nick said. “Life-giving meaning what John 10:10 says. Christ came to bring life and life more abundantly, so how do we create kingdom cultures in the business world?”
The Pastermack’s plan to continue the vision that God has set before them together and lead students into the business world, and more importantly, into deeper relationships with God and peers.
