Black To Business

This episode is a part of our Black Men Who Lead series hosted by Aquaus Kelley educator and Founder of A Lover’s Ambition Lifestyle Group.    About Men Who Lead:  Black Men Who Lead is a series highlighting Black men at the forefront of Black entrepreneurship. These men are discussing their journeys in entrepreneurship, challenges, and wins, and the power of them continuing to push our communities forward. ------- Name: Damon Brown Current Title: Entrepreneur, Coach & Best-Selling Author  - Bring Your Worth (Business) Location: Las Vegas, Nevada  Educational Background: Masters in Magazine Publishing, Northwestern   About Damon: Damon Brown helps side hustlers, solopreneurs, and other non-traditional creatives bloom. He co-founded the popular platonic connection app Cuddlr and led it to acquisition within a year, all while being the primary caretaker of his infant first son. He now guides others through his consulting/coaching, his M/W/F #BringYourWorth shown and his Inc. Magazine column. Damon is author

This episode is a part of our Black Men Who Lead series hosted by Aquaus Kelley educator and Founder of A Lover’s Ambition Lifestyle Group.    About Men Who Lead:  Black Men Who Lead is a series highlighting Black men at the forefront of Black entrepreneurship. These men are discussing their journeys in entrepreneurship, challenges, and wins, and the power of them continuing to push our communities forward.   Name: Phillip Roundtree Current Title: Founder of Quadefy LLC Location: Philadelphia Educational Background: -    About Phillip: Phillip J. Roundtree is a dynamic Scholar-Activist who has been a practicing social worker since 2005. Recognizing society’s lack of emphasis on Black mental health, he’s evolved into a staunch mental health advocate for marginalized/underrepresented communities, using his personal and professional experiences to promote individual and community resilience. He is the host of the #YouGoodMan? Men's Wellness Podcast and Rhetorically Speaking Live Daily Digital Show available on Y

This episode is a part of our Black Men Who Lead series hosted by Aquaus Kelley educator and Founder of A Lover’s Ambition Lifestyle Group.    About Men Who Lead:  Black Men Who Lead is a series highlighting Black men at the forefront of Black entrepreneurship. These men are discussing their journeys in entrepreneurship, challenges, and wins, and the power of them continuing to push our communities forward.   Name: Jeff Lindor Current Title: Founder/CEO The Gentlemen's Factory Inc. Location: Brooklyn Educational Background: Masters in Urban Policy Analysis & Management at The New School   About Jeff: Born in Haiti, raised in a public housing development in Brooklyn, NY. Jeff Lindor is dedicating his life to finding innovative solutions that aim to break the barriers of success and enhance the lives of boys & men of color in today’s world. In addition to starting The Gentlemen’s Factory, Jeff is also the Founder of GroomedSuccess, Inc., a consulting firm that contracts with Government Agencies, Non-Pr

This episode is a part of our Black Men Who Lead series hosted by Aquaus Kelley educator and Founder of A Lover’s Ambition Lifestyle Group.    About Men Who Lead:  Black Men Who Lead is a series highlighting Black men at the forefront of Black entrepreneurship. These men are discussing their journeys in entrepreneurship, challenges, and wins, and the power of them continuing to push our communities forward. Name: Derrius Quarles Current Title: Co-Founder and Co-CEO BREAUX and Company Location: Chicago, IL Educational Background: Kenwood Academy High School Morehouse College, BA Sociology University of Pennsylvania, M.S.Ed. Education Entrepreneurship   About Derrius: Derrius was born on Chicago's South Side as the Grandson of a Mississippi sharecropper and Great Migration participant. Derrius is a 13-year foster care survivor, traversing four foster homes, welfare, and public housing through childhood. These experiences meant Derrius grew up with a keen understanding of how poverty, income inequality, and soc

Name: Makini Smith Current Title: Mindset Coach, A walk in my Stilettos  Location: Toronto, Canada   About Makini: As a mindset coach and Proctor Gallagher certified consultant, I help turn goals into accomplishments. I am also a 4 time published author and host of the 5-star rated "A Walk in My Stilettos" podcast— one of the top 2% most popular podcasts globally. By coaching women who are frustrated, confused, or isolated, I help them find peace, clarity, and connection. Whether it's through conquering social media, publishing a book, or mastering a podcast, my passion is to help you find the confidence to turn your dreams into a reality.   DURING THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSSED: How to deal with limiting beliefs How to build your confidence in business and step out of your comfort zones Why daily personal development is important for your business How to stop comparing For complete show notes and resources mentioned for this episode go to:  https://blacktobusiness.com/47

Name: Jessica Brown Current Title: Founder, Clinical Director Nia Noire Therapy + Wellness Location: Washington, DC Educational Background: Bachelors of Arts, Psychology - California State University,                          San Bernardino Masters of Social Work - Virginia Commonwealth University   About Jessica: With over 10 years of mental health experience through her education, professional practice, and lived experiences, Jessica Brown, LICSW specializes in serving BIPOC and multiracial adults seeking to heal from trauma, depression, and/or anxiety. Additionally, Jessica is the host and producer of Nia Noire's Wellness Series-- a digital conversation series amplifying the voices of Black people and people of color sharing their stories of vulnerability, resilience, and wellness. Through her work, Jessica was honored as Huff Post's "10 Black Female Therapists You Should Know," as well as featured in Self Magazine, Planned Parenthood, Forbes, and Fox5DC.   As the practice's namesake after the Nguzo Saba p

Name: Brandon Alexander  Current Title: Founder/CEO Invent you Location: New York Educational Background: BS - Accounting - UCONN MBA in Progress - St. John's University (Tobin College of       Business)   About Brandon: Brandon Alexander, born and raised in Jamaica, NY, has dedicated his life to helping others achieve financial success. He got the opportunity to leave the inner city and attend high school in the suburbs of Connecticut. This was pivotal for his perspective. He realized wealthy families were discussing finance and business ideas, while folks in his hometown rarely discussed these topics and looked at money as corrupt and unattainable.   After high school, Brandon attended the University of Connecticut School of Business and majored in accounting. After graduating from UCONN, Brandon started working full-time at KPMG. This gave him the opportunity to truly understand how money worked. He consulted billion-dollar corporations on strategy, accounting, and finance.   Although he consulted on billi

Name: Attorney Ticora Davis Current Title: Founder and CEO of The Creators Law Firm Location: North Carolina Educational Background: B.S. Biological Sciences   About Ticora: Attorney, author, and speaker, Ticora Davis is recognized as one of the most prominent voices advocating for more holistic, inclusive, and ethical legal representation for Black women and creatives of color. The founder and CEO of The Creator’s Law Firm, Ticora helps experts and entrepreneurs protect their smarts through a suite of business law and consulting services. With a client portfolio that reads like a VIP list of some of the world's most successful Black brands, the firm is guided by a diverse team of female legal juggernauts and boasts an impressive 98.5% success rate in trademark registrations. Ticora’s inherent ability to seamlessly blend her knowledge and passion has garnered her the opportunity to work with stellar brands like VH1, Black Enterprise, and Facebook.  She’s been awarded numerous prestigious honors, including Who

Name: Michelle Dalzon Current Title: CEO of The Black-Owned Market (theBOM) Location: Boston, MA Educational Background: Umass Amherst 2010 - BA Communications     About Michelle: As the descendant of small business owners, I envision a world where Black brands THRIVE. I had the pleasure of watching my parents run a successful business with limited resources and exposure and still rise. I’ve spent 8 years in corporate america at major media companies such as Time Inc., Turner Broadcasting, and Viacom within marketing/advertising. I truly believe that every experience in my life has led me to my life purpose.   My dream is to help as many Black business owners succeed by giving them a platform that connects them to their intended consumer. At theBOM, we are creating a space where Black brands come first and conscious consumers can meet new brands they’re sure to love. My goal is to make sure every Black person has a place to shop within their community FIRST before having to search outside. All of the brands f

Name: Shaquanna(Ms. Business) Brooks Current Title: CEO and Founder of Brooks Alliance Location: Brooklyn, NY Educational Background: Certified Public Accountant   About Shaquanna: Ms. Business brings more than just 7 years in diverse tax, finance, business formation, and consulting experience to her role as a Certified Public Accountant. Some of her expertise include choosing the correct business structure & understanding business taxes to name a few. Ms. Business feels obliged to not only service her clients but also to educate them.    Her leadership skills, a knack for educating others, and take-charge demeanor landed her a position with one of the most prestigious accounting firms in the country. Very early on in her career as a CPA, Ms. Business realized how many people were misguided, misinformed, and uneducated when it came to financial literacy.  These statistics ultimately lead to the development of the Ms. Business brand.   From speaking at networking events all over the United States, hosting

Name: Ify Ifebi Current Title: Founder of Vendorspace Location: Atlanta, GA Educational Background: Marketing BBA, Howard University   About Ify: Ify Ifebi is an event producer, mompreneur and founder at Vendorspace, a marketplace that connects vendors with event organizers and event opportunities. With over 13 years of entertainment and event production experience, she has a passion for bringing people together for purpose-driven impact. She believes events are a secret growth hack for any business and works to curate memorable experiences that promote culture, community and social responsibility.   DURING THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSSED: The future of events The different ways to monetize your events Why events are a growth hack for your business How to get sponsorship and strategic partnerships for your business How to use your skills and expertise to create an event For complete show notes and resources mentioned for this episode go to: blacktobusiness.com/41-2

Name: Rose Désauguste Current Title: CEO of Nectar Digital Group Location: New York City Educational Background: Masters   About Rose: Rose Désauguste is an entrepreneur and the founder of Nectar Digital Group, an agency that brands companies and helps them better represent themselves, market their services, and automate their marketing digitally. Rose has been guiding companies, big and small, on digital transformation over the last 7 years. She loves helping entrepreneurs successfully navigate the fast-evolving digital landscape to create scalable growth and future-proof their companies. She is also an avid explorer who loves teaching and empowering others to live their most fulfilling lives.   DURING THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSSED: Branding vs. Marketing and why it matters for your business to invest in branding How to get your brand messaging right What to do when you’re having a hard time explain what your business does How you are losing business by not investing in your branding  For complete show notes a

Name: Jeremy Brown Current Title: Founder at Startups Give Back Location: San Francisco Bay Area   About Jeremy: Jeremy Brown is the Founder of Startups Give Back, an organization on a mission to make philanthropy a top priority for startups, and Changemaker Studios, a parent organization that creates and manages a portfolio of impact brands. He's also an angel investor, a marketer in the tech industry, and on the Board of Directors for California-based nonprofit, Seahugger.   DURING THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSSED: How to implement volunteering and giving back into your business The impact philanthropy has on your current employees and future talent Ideas on how you can give back virtually The power of community -------- For complete show notes and resources mentioned for this episode go to blacktobusiness.com/39

Name: Chido Samantha Mbavarira Age: 36 Current Title: Online Business Strategist Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada Educational Background: Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS — International development (Hons)- 2008 An interdisciplinary program with a strong foundation in the political economy of development and globalization. Digital Wellness Certificate- 2020 Digital Wellness promotes optimal health and well-being in which body, mind, and spirit are integrated by the individual to live more fully within the human, natural, and digital communities.  About Chido: Chido Samantha Mbavarira is an online business strategist who helps service-based experts, coaches and consultants earn more and sell more by selling their skills online.   She has helped countless clients master your business online and get clear on how to package, promote and profit from confidently selling signature programs and services. Her mission is that experts like you increase their impact and income with their gifts and expertise.   DURIN

Rashod grew up as an athlete and a musician. He thought his life would take him into the music industry. But he ended up falling in love with inspiring other people and exposing his peers to a lifestyle that was only seen on television. He wanted to find a way to use his voice to uplift others. That became the mission of SUAVV.  SUAVV Magazine was started out of frustration while shopping for reading material for a flight. When Rashod had to purchase almost $50 in magazines to get one overall concept of what he wanted to read. He realized that there was nothing on the media market that spoke to him directly as a 20 something-year-old black man. Rashod wanted, fashion, sports, cars, music, relationships, entertainment, and all of those things to speak to him. To date, SUAVV has interviewed some of the biggest celebrities and public figures in our generation. They look forward to more philanthropic endeavors, increased presence in the media world, and expanding their lifestyle brand.   DURING THIS EPISODE WE D

Style blogger, social media specialist and digital media maven Christina S. Brown is a New York native and the founder of fast-growing lifestyle destination LoveBrownSugar.com. Recognized everywhere from The New York Times to Essence Magazine as a top lifestyle blog, LoveBrownSugar.com focuses on fashion and beauty for multicultural women with an emphasis on self-empowerment. DURING THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSSED: What it means to be a digital influencer How to create YOUR brand The impact of sharing your voice and perspective as an influencer What brands look for in influencers How to get paid as an influencer Thank you so much for listening! If you liked this episode, please subscribe to “The Black to Business Podcast” and rate and review wherever you listen to podcasts: For complete show notes and resources mentioned for this episode go to: blacktobusiness.com/ep36-christinabrown STAY CONNECTED:   Christina: Instagram |  Facebook | Twitter

  Frederick is the CEO and founder of Pigeonly, a platform that makes it easy for people to search, find and communicate with an incarcerated loved one. A born entrepreneur, Frederick launched and sold his first business at the age of 19. His desire to attain the American dream on his terms took him down the wrong path and at 23, he was indicted for distributing 3,000 kg of marijuana. It was during this four-year federal prison sentence a new idea surfaced, one that would give him an opportunity to impact the lives of people no one else was paying attention to - inmates, Pigeonly was born. Pigeonly's technology cuts the cost of expensive prison calls by 80% and allows people to send their inmate photos, greeting cards, and more right from a cell phone, tablet or computer. Although the company is still young, Hutson has grown Pigeonly to become one of the largest independent inmate service providers in the country. DURING THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSSED: Journey from prison to entrepreneurship The state of Black ma

Johnny Bailey is a Social Entrepreneur and Executive Director of The ShineHard Family, a 501(c)3 organization based in Washington DC. ShineHard's mission is to recognize and connect the nation's top black millennial leaders, then unify them to educate and inspire the next generation of young black leaders. The ShineHard Family is comprised of entrepreneurs, artists, and corporate innovators from companies like ESPN, Google, Nike, Amazon, CNN, & more. Primarily focused on economic empowerment for people of color, ShineHard leverages relationships to seamlessly transfer knowledge from today’s outstanding leaders to the future professionals and black business owners. In five years, ShineHard’s community programs have empowered 2000+ DC millenials and reached over 100,000 viewers online. A native of Petersburg, Virginia, Johnny has been recognized by the Washington Wizards for outstanding leadership, was named Top 30 under 30 by HBCU Buzz and recently Top 35 Millennial Influencers by NBT Talks. Johnny is also

In a post-Obama era where Blacks Americans are proclaiming their blackness now more than ever, it's disappointing to see Black-owned businesses shy away from serving their own people. What mainstream brands do so intently with Eurocentric brand messaging and imagery - Black businesses steer clear of for fear of "limiting themselves" if they focus solely on Black audiences. Storyteller Amber Williams is at the forefront of efforts to dispel this myth of limitation by pushing Black businesses towards more sophisticated-unapologetic branding. Her brand storytelling agency PunkyFlair teaches Founders and CEOs how to improve their sales through stories built around their true customers. Amber has crafted brand language for Armani, CVS, The U.S Olympics, and now uses her talents to service black-owned startups such as Camille Rose Naturals, Heat Free Hair, and Shea Radiance. Amber's aim is to shift the idea from merely "buying Black" to "serving Black," and she would love to share it with your listeners to transfor

Michell began exploring social media out of necessity, when he was stuck on campus as a cadet at the United States Military Academy. Michell was expelled from the academy in 2012. The days leading to his expulsion forced him to stand up for himself when no one else would. The days after his expulsion challenged him to choose new life goals for himself. Michell finished school at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he began to leverage his social media presence to negotiate more press opportunities for his music discovery platform, Artistic Manifesto. Michell was a writer before he was an influencer. He continues to write about the difficulties of his entrepreneurial journey in a way that many of his peers can relate to. As Michell observed the way social media can be used as leverage for bigger writing opportunities, he continued to dedicate time to growing his social media presence. As he observed the importance of visuals on social media he began to carve out a visual identity to match his writing. In l