We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 84: Guest Name: Felicia Cotton Guest Business: Xoxoxo Cosmetics Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Felicia Cotton with founder and president of Xoxoxo Cosmetics. Felicia details her upbringing highlighting her love for all things feminine despite growing up with majority male family members. Felicia embarked on her entrepreneurial journey in 2019. Her website went live in ...
Apr 15, 2024•25 min•Season 7Ep. 84
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 83: Guest Name : Angelique Warner Guest Business: A Warner Idea LLC Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Angelique Warner, founder and president of A Warner Idea LLC and the visionary behind GoGoVie premium baby carrier. Angelique details her upbringing, describing herself as inquisitive and a dreamer in her childhood. Not only did she dream vividly, but she could also recal...
Apr 08, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 7Ep. 83
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 82 : Guest Name : Dr. Jennifer Matthews Guest Business: Dr. Jennifer Matthews Consulting Agency Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Jennifer Matthews, who is Founder & CEO of Dr. Jennifer Matthews Consulting Agency. Dr. Matthews comes from a family of law-enforcement as she is the 3rd Generation to pursue a career in this field. Dr. Matthews is...
Apr 01, 2024•42 min•Season 7Ep. 83
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 81: Guest Name : LaTrina Joshua Guest Business: Bijou Body Spa Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with LaTrina Joshua, CEO of Bijou Body Spa. With a profound commitment to healthcare and a passion for helping individuals look and feel their best, LaTrina Joshua has built a career that bridges the realms of medicine and aesthetics. LaTrina details her upbringing and her passion ...
Mar 25, 2024•56 min•Season 7Ep. 81
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 80: Guest Name: Tara Levy Guest Business: Liberated Arts Movement Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Tara Levy, founder of the Liberated Arts Movement. Tara details her upbringing highlighting her early love for art she recounts the moments in her childhood when she spent hours drawing and journaling. As an adolescent, she worked at the Goodman Theater where she nurtured h...
Mar 18, 2024•43 min•Season 7Ep. 80
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 79: Guest Name: Chiquita Hall-Jackson Guest Business: Blow the Whistle Law and Hall-Jackson and Associates, P.C. Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Chiquita Hall-Jackson, an award-winning licensed attorney and adjunct law professor, the visionary behind the Blow The Whistle Law social justice movement and the founder of Top Employment Law Firm Hall-Jackson & Associates...
Mar 11, 2024•48 min•Season 7Ep. 79
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 78 Guest Name: Terrence Chappell Guest Business: Chappell Communications Group Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Terrence Chappell the Principal of Chappell Communications Group, a social media agency that specializes in socializing nuanced messaging among cultural communities. He partners with clients and organizations to tap into the human experience across advocacy and...
Jan 29, 2024•37 min•Season 6Ep. 78
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 77: Guest Name: Abigail Ingram Guest Business: Polsky Exchange Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I had the opportunity to talk with Abigail Ingram. Abigail Ingram is the executive director of the Polsky Exchange. Polsky Exchange is the core of The Polsky’s Center community engagement with the Southside of Chicago. This gathering space services local businesses owners and entrepreneurs...
Jan 15, 2024•55 min•Season 6Ep. 77
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 76: Guest Name: Kyra Rénel Hardwick Guest Business: The Kyra Company Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Kyra Rénel Hardwick founder and Managing Consultant of The Kyra Company—a dynamic business development solutions firm committed to a comprehensive approach to addressing operational opportunities within organizations..Kyra reflects on her challenging childhood, emphasizi...
Jan 15, 2024•58 min•Season 6Ep. 76
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Guest Name: Cle Andrea Hayden and Lori Pelzer Guest Business: Inked Digital Marketing and Girlgobegreat EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I interview Cle Andrea Hayden, Founder and Chief Digital Strategist of Inked Digital Marketing Agency, and Lori Pelzer, CEO of Girlgobegreat, a Professional and personal development company, and GirlgobegreatAI. The discussion delves into AI, defining it as a technologic...
Jan 08, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 6Ep. 75
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 74: Guest Name: Lisa Marsh Guest Business: MsP's Gluten Free Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Lisa Marsh, the founder and CEO of MsP’s Gluten Free, shares insights into her journey. MsP’s Gluten Free specializes in creating nutritious, delicious, and healthy gluten-free snack foods to support a gluten-free diet. Lisa reflects on her upbringing as one of six children on C...
Dec 18, 2023•41 min•Ep. 74
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 73: Guest Name: Nikki Bravo Guest Business: Momentum Coffee Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I had the opportunity to sit down with Nikki Bravo, Founder of Momentum Coffee. Momentum Coffee is an independent coffee shop located in various locations across the Chicago community. Although Nikki is one of the powerhouses behind this coffee shop - her background comes from the Public Sect...
Dec 11, 2023•51 min•Ep. 73
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 72: Guest Name : Javon McCain Guest Business: EGG ROLLS ETC Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Javon McCain, President and Creative Director of Egg Rolls ETC. Egg Rolls ETC is a unique product line that blends delicious flavors in warm wontons that bridge cultural gaps. Javon is a Clinical Nutritionist and Caterer who lived abroad in Taiwan following the passing of her mot...
Dec 04, 2023•50 min•Season 6Ep. 72
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Guest Name: Greg Bush Guest Business: B.I.G. Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter I had the opportunity to sit down with Greg Bush, President and CEO of B.I.G, a management and information systems consulting and services firm. Greg has more than 25 years of experience with large scale information technology projects. After working with KFA,inc. for a number of years, he acquired KFA,Inc. We learn...
Nov 27, 2023•58 min•Season 6Ep. 71
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 70: Guest Name : Ramatu Kandakai Guest Business: Tutu Brand Strategies Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Ramatu Kandakai an MBA holder from Johns Hopkins, who excels in marketing for both B2B and B2C markets. Her passion for marketing trends and personal branding is highlighted by her brand 'mytutucents' and 'Tutu Brand Strategies’. Ramatu has collaborated with brands lik...
Nov 20, 2023•35 min•Season 6Ep. 70
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 69: Guest Name: Dominique Wilson Guest Business: RiseKit Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Dominique Wilson, Co-Founder, and Strategic Advisor to RiseKit, an economic mobility software, that connects individuals with jobs and non-profit resources, streamlining collaboration among multiple organizations and offering insightful impact tracking for funders. With over 15 year...
Nov 13, 2023•39 min•Season 6Ep. 69
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 67: Guest Name: Larvetta Loftin Guest Business: The L3 Agency Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I introduce season 6 of the podcast that covers B2B and service-based businesses. I discuss the motivation for starting the podcast, the importance of advocating for black businesses, and their challenges, such as racism. I emphasize my commitment to supporting black businesses and highligh...
Nov 06, 2023•23 min•Season 6Ep. 68
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 67 : Guest Name: Tori Prince Guest Business: Tori Prince Beauty Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I had the opportunity to sit down with Tori Prince Founder and CEO of Tori Prince Beauty. As a beauty lover - Tori has always been within the beauty industry dating back to her childhood. As a cosmetic scientist and Skin of Color expert - Tori made it her mission to educate and create opp...
Oct 30, 2023•59 min•Season 5Ep. 67
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 66: Guest Name : Samantha Jo Guest Business: Samantha Jo’s Balm Yard Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I had the pleasure of speaking with Samantha of Samantha Jo’s Balm Yard a Botanica & Apothecary. Samantha details her upbringing noting that she was unable to get to know her father and the history his lineage held. Samantha shared her personal journey, including her quest to rec...
Oct 23, 2023•59 min•Season 5Ep. 66
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 65: Guest Name: Mike Wird Guest Business: New Prosper Life Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I had the opportunity to sit down with Mike Wird Founder & CEO New Prosper Life. Mike is a highly creative artist and ecological design educator in Colorado. He loves to support & lives to inspire, equip, and help coachable, hard-working individuals. During this episode, we dive into M...
Oct 16, 2023•46 min•Season 5Ep. 65
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 64: Guest Name: Jordan Nash Guest Business: The Squared Paper Co Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter,I had the pleasure of conversing with Jordan Nash, the founder of The Squared Paper Co. Despite facing challenging circumstances stemming from her parents' divorce, Jordan utilized school as a means of distraction. As an adult, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery, finding solace i...
Oct 09, 2023•55 min•Season 5Ep. 64
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 63: Guest Name: Chelsea Lewis Guest Business: My Mommy Wisdom Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I had the opportunity to sit down with Chelsea Lewis Founder & CEO of My Mommy Wisdom. My Mommy Wisdom– a super dope cruelty-free product line for women and children. They are the first ever inclusive product line made by a black woman to support mommies and their children throughout th...
Oct 02, 2023•45 min•Season 5Ep. 63
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 62: Guest Name: Jamica Harper Guest Business: Red Elephant Candle Company Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I had the opportunity to speak with Jamica Harper, owner of Red Elephant Candle Company. Jamica details her childhood and educational background. She grew up a history buff and that love of history transformed into her study of psychology, a field where you essentially gain a mo...
Sep 25, 2023•36 min•Season 5Ep. 62
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 61 : Guest Name : Dana Bly Guest Business: Pardon My Fro Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I had the opportunity to sit down with Dana Bly Founder & CEO of Pardon My Fro. Pardon My Fro is an exclusive lifestyle brand of clothing, accessories, and chic home decor. When Dana kicked off her natural hair journey - she struggled to find imagery of natural Black women that was vibrant a...
Sep 18, 2023•36 min•Season 5Ep. 61
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 58: Guest Name : Twyler Jenkins Guest Business : I Am That Woman Movement Retreat Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I had the opportunity to speak with Twyler Jenkins, CEO and Founder of the I Am That Woman Movement Retreat. The annual I Am That Woman Retreat is an extraordinary experience that takes women through a powerful journey of learning and self-discovery. This process provide...
Sep 11, 2023•55 min•Season 5Ep. 60
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 59 Guest Name: LaGena Cain Guest Business: Poise Beauty Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I had the opportunity to sit down with Lagena (La La) Cain, CEO/Owner of Poise Beauty Lips and Lifestyle. Poise Beauty is a cruelty-free U.S.A made brand that specializes in providing moisturizing lipsticks. Their focus is to encourage women to embody beauty from within. LaGena’s mission is to mo...
Sep 04, 2023•40 min•Season 5Ep. 59
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 58: Guest Name : Lauren Lowery and John Gay Guest Business : FP Commercial Advisors and JAQ Corp Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I had the opportunity to speak with Lauren Lowery, CEO and founder of FP Commercial Advisors, and John Gay, CEO and founder of JAQ Corp Intl. FP Commercial is a recognized Minority and Women-Owned Advisory firm committed to providing clients with proven so...
Aug 28, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 5Ep. 58
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 57 : Guest Name : Fola Lawson Guest Business : Southern Gents Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I had the opportunity to sit down with Fola Lawson. As the Creative Director of Southern Gents, a lifestyle brand that aims to unite gentlemen around the world, Fola explains the mission behind creating an accessible brand that motivates men to show up as their best selves. Fola describes t...
Aug 21, 2023•49 min•Season 5Ep. 57
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 56: Guest Name : Jamyla Bennu Guest Business : Oyin Handmade Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I had the opportunity to speak with Jamyla Bennu co-founder and mistress of Oyin Handmade. Jamyla explains that “oyin” is a Yoruba word for honey. Oyin Handmade is a cruelty-free, non-toxic band that specializes in unisex and family-friendly hair skin, and body care with eco-friendly sensibi...
Aug 14, 2023•47 min•Season 5Ep. 56
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 55: Guest Name: Larvetta L. Loftin Guest Business: The L3 Agency Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I had the opportunity to share my story and discuss how various experiences have shaped me into the person I am today. We discuss my upbringing and family life, and what it was like growing up middle class on the “low-end” in Chicago. We also recounted my first experiences in entrepreneu...
Aug 07, 2023•57 min•Season 5Ep. 55
