Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: Kevin Y Brown

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Ras Mutabaruka

Website: The African Perspective (TAP) Magazine

Instagram: Ras Mutabaruka

Twitter: Ras Mutabaruka

Linkedin: Ras Mutabaruka

Email: mutabaruka@tapmagonline.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Afripods, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com).

CYLS 205: Pt. 1 - Africa X Media - Redefining Reality Through Transformative Storytelling with Moses ”Ras” Mutabaruka Nov 27, 2023

Episode Summary

On this episode of the Create Your Life Series podcast, host Kevin Y Brown welcomes a truly inspiring guest to the studio, Ras Mutabaruka. A storyteller, entrepreneur, and community builder, Ras’ life is a testament to resilience, vision, and an enduring love for the African continent. Delving into the challenges he faced and the transformative impact of facing a traumatic past, including his experiences during the genocide in Rwanda. He opens up about the deep scars left by those events and the long journey toward healing. Ras also reflects on the importance of speaking out about personal struggles and advocating for mental health support, breaking the silence that often surrounds such experiences.

The conversation takes a turn as Ras shares lighter moments from his life, including his time in Canada, where he discovered his purpose and passion for storytelling. As he navigated cultural differences and stereotypes, he found strength in embracing his identity and heritage.

Ras Mutabaruka’s journey exemplifies resilience, the power of storytelling, and the unwavering commitment to make a positive impact on the continent he calls home. Tune in to this episode of the Create Your Life series for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.

Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…

Ras Mutabaruka

Ras Mutabaruka founded The African Perspective (TAP Media Ltd) after being frustrated with seeing how Africa and Africans were often portrayed in global media. TAP is a Pan-African media platform that tells African stories from an African perspective with a mission to rebrand Africa, one story at a time.
Born in Rwanda during tumultuous times, he and his family sought refuge in neighboring countries. The journey eventually led him to Kenya, where he settled and found a sense of belonging amid a diverse community. His journey then took him to Canada for higher education.

Before working on TAP full-time, and to give back to his once adopted country of Canada, he spent five years working as a public servant in the department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) where he received three back to back Ministerial Awards of Merit for service to Canadians.

Insights From the Episode

Reflecting on the Rwandan Genocide, Ras Mutabaruka underscores the healing power of facing the past
Emphasis on the need to challenge stereotypes about Africa
Mutabaruka shares experiences in Canada
Dissatisfaction with Western media narratives inspires TAP Media, evolving from a blog to a magazine, focusing on science in Africa
Importance of remaining true to oneself and consistent for personal growth and success
Strategies for Building a Platform: discussion surrounding transitioning from a blog to a magazine format broadens TAP Media's platform, leading to partnerships with prestigious institutions
Strategies for overcoming Imposter Syndrome
How to use collaboration as a tool for growth

Quotes from the Show

“... the narrative about Africa was still the same, probably even worse because the academia surrounding African people of African descent is really terrible… There's not that much that the academia says we've done and I found that to be a challenge… And then one time he hit me like, OK, you didn't go to journalism school, you not a, you know, you're not a journalist but you can write. So if you, if you don't like what other people are talking about, you or your country or your continent do something about it.” - Ras Mutabaruka, Create Your Life Series, #205
“the BBC says this, the CNN says the BBC is a British Broadcasting Corporation. They have their agenda, they are speaking for the British audience. So I'm like, so who, who's speaking for Africa or for Africans? And so it started out as a, as actually started very humble beginning, starts out as Facebook note. I would like write like notes about facts and things about Africa.” - Ras Mutabaruka, Create Your Life Series, #205
“It's a pleasure to know you as a leader and someone who, you know what I mean has I, I would say rose to the occasion or accepted the challenge of being a leader, being a dynamic person.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #205
“Create a group, create an insider group of people who can see the things you are doing and if they, and, and, and you can trust their feedback, of course, you're still the executive of your own story.” - Ras Mutabaruka, Create Your Life Series, #205
“I wished I knew that as much as money is not everything, money is probably like 50% of everything… So, you know and understand that you need money, know and understand where or how you're gonna get money, and then when the rubber meets the road don't go in by yourself, get someone else to come along… I think you're gonna go faster, you're gonna go farther and the knock and the pressure is gonna be less if you have two, if you have another person or two along with you.” - Ras Mutabaruka, Create Your Life Series, #205

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: Kevin Y Brown

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Ras Mutabaruka

Website: The African Perspective (TAP) Magazine

Instagram: Ras Mutabaruka

Twitter: Ras Mutabaruka

Linkedin: Ras Mutabaruka

Email: mutabaruka@tapmagonline.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Afripods, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com).

CYLS 204: Africa X Podcasting - The Rhythm of Innovation: A Deep Dive into the Data Driving Africa’s Podcasting Renaissance with Angela Machua Nov 13, 2023

Episode Summary

On this episode of the Create Your Life Series podcast, Angela, host of Zen Moments, discusses the transformative power of podcasting, particularly for the youth. She emphasizes the platform's freedom for self-expression without limitations and encouraging aspiring creators to explore the diverse world of podcasting. Angela shares personal anecdotes, highlighting the role of mentorship, discipline, and motivation in her journey.

The conversation delves into lessons learned in podcasting, such as the importance of time investment and planning. Angela reflects on moments when she contemplated giving up but found motivation in the positive impact her podcast had on strangers. The episode concludes with Angela expressing her commitment to shaping a vibrant future for Africa, particularly in the podcasting industry, aiming for inclusivity and financial opportunities.

In the rapid-fire segment, Angela discusses favorite productivity apps, commitment to personal growth, and her love for art. The episode ends with Angela turning the tables, posing three unscripted questions to host Kevin Brown, adding a lighthearted and engaging touch to the conversation.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.

Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…

Angela Machua
Angela Machua, host of the impactful podcast "Zen Moments," is a trailblazer in the world of podcasting, advocating for limitless self-expression and empowering youth to embrace content creation without constraints. Her journey reflects resilience, disciplined commitment to personal growth, and overcoming moments of self-doubt.

Angela's story is one of unwavering determination, embracing the challenges of podcasting with grace. Beyond her podcast, she is a talented graphic artist and is dedicated to elevating the podcasting industry in Africa, making it accessible and financially viable for creators.

In essence, Angela Machua's life is a testament to the power of resilience, self-discovery, and pursuing passions, inspiring others to embark on their unique journeys with purpose.

Insights From the Episode

Importance of Africans telling their own stories without translation when needed to maintain accuracy and authenticity
How to maintain the integrity of the story: directly sharing ensures that the narrative isn’t influenced by external perceptions
Significance of persevering in the face of challenges and chasing what you are passionate about: Angela’s drive for learning outside of office hours is emphasized in reference to her growth in the podcasting industry
Angela’s approach to understanding challenges faced by new podcasters
Statistics of podcast listeners
Podcast listening behavior
Advice for new podcasters
Importance of mentorship
Discussion of key elements of personal growth
Conversation surrounding how to create the life you want, from the perspective of Angela

Quotes from the Show

“… it's important for us as Africans to tell our own story the way we want to tell it. If we don't want to translate it, say it as it is because that's how it comes accurate and because sometimes things can get lost in translation.” - Angela Machua, Create Your Life Series, #204
“It's been amazing to see your growth and watch you as this person who essentially to me, I've been watching your evolution going from a project manager who was primarily dealing in finance to I call you, that's my personal moniker for you, the data maven of African podcasting.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #204
“Podcasting is so important because it gives you the individual the space to be who you want to be. There's no limitations in podcasting and I think that's what makes it different from other platforms. As a young creator, you're able to express yourself how you want to without any limits. And I think that it's important for the youth to be able to get into content creation as they would like without being told this is how you have to do it. And because I feel like that cripples creativity and podcasting has opened up that space that anyone can be anything they want to be.” - Angela Machua, Create Your Life Series, #204
“Mentorship is important also because sometimes you might feel like I'm just doing something, you are only looking at the now, but with mentorship you're able to see the entire growth journey.” - Angela Machua, Create Your Life Series, #204
“I feel like imposter syndrome is something that a lot of people struggle with, but if you just decide and tell yourself this is not real, you can do what you want to do and there are no limits, you can go ahead.” - Angela Machua, Create Your Life Series, #204
“We need to build a platform or an industry that is easily accessible by everybody… make it possible for people to make a living out of podcasting. Because content creation, yes, it's still a new thing, but it's a viable option for monetizing yourself, whether you're a company or you're just trying to build your own brand, your personal brand or your company brand. We need to make the space viable for everyone to be able to be successful. And my commitment in that is just being involved in the industry in whatever capacity, but mainly in data to push for platforms to provide the space for this to be possible.” - Angela Machua, Create Your Life Series, #204

Resources Mentioned

Favorite Book

The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho

Favorite Quote

“Just do it.” - Nike

3 Keys to Create Your Best Life

Visioning and Goal Setting:

Angela emphasizes the importance of envisioning the life you want and writing down your goals. Breaking down these goals into achievable steps, whether monthly or weekly, helps track progress and encourages a sense of accomplishment.

Taking Action:

Angela advocates for taking action without waiting for the "perfect" moment. She suggests breaking down tasks into manageable steps and enjoying the journey of personal development, growth, and achievement.

Enjoying the Journey:

Angela highlights the significance of finding joy in the process of pursuing your goals. It's not just about reaching the end goal but relishing in the experiences, growth, and connections made along the way.

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

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Kevin Y. Brown

Website: Kevin Y Brown

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Angela Machua

Linkedin: Angela Machua
Instagram: @angela_machua

Podcast: Zen Moments (Afripods, Apple, Spotify)

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Afripods, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com).

CYLS 203: Africa X Podcasting - The Blueprint to Building Ghana’s Most Successful Podcast Network with Cyril Afeku and Donald Aryee Oct 30, 2023

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Africa X series, Kevin Y. Brown is joined by Cyril Afeku and Donald Ayree, cofounders of The Gold Coast Report. The GCR is a thriving podcast network based in Accra, Ghana, whose unwavering mission is to forge accessible avenues for visibility and to curate impactful experiences that empower individuals and communities alike. Cyril and Donald explain how the World Cup led to their initial idea for The Gold Coast Report, which changed from being a single podcast to the beginning of a network in the same week. They discuss the milestones they’ve passed so far and where they hope to go, the shows they’re most proud of, and how they were able to turn a passion project into a self-sustaining business. As leaders they share their tips for creative compromise and amplifying the creativity of their team, along with their thoughts on the importance of sharing their knowledge and experience with others in the community. In the Turnaround, Kevin opens up about how his trip to Africa in 2018 influenced his understanding of legacy, of family, and his responsibilities as a Black man, and how it led to him moving back to the Continent and joining the movement to amplify African stories through podcasting.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.

Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…

Cyril Afeku and Donald Aryee

Cyril Afeku and Donald Aryee met in high school and reconnected after university where together they created The Gold Coast Report, a podcast network based in Accra, Ghana. They produce shows covering a variety of interests such as sports, women-focused issues, religion, sex, pop culture, social issues, entertainment and more. Cyril and Donald are results-driven and inquisitive professionals with a vast expertise in developing podcasting infrastructure in Africa. Their passion revolves around amplifying African creativity and nurturing self-sustaining communities, providing them with the space to incubate, flourish, and achieve their aspirations. Every action, word, and endeavor The Gold Coast Report undertakes is a dedicated stride to realizing this vision.

Insights From the Episode

Tips for dealing with difficult clients and creators
Where to look for guidance when you’re an early adopter in a burgeoning industry
3 tips for new podcasters looking to join an established network
How to stay rejuvenated and focused as a leader
Advice for handling conflict between teammates
Tips for dealing with negative feedback
Thoughts on the keys to personal growth
Strategies for directing your energy so you don’t overextend yourself

Quotes from the Show

“At the time this was just two friends in a room trying something out. When you look back and zoom out to what it is now, it’s kind of crazy. We thought that we could tell our own better stories, and we also felt like there was some creativity in everyone.” - Cyril Afeku, Create Your Life Series, #203
“[The schedule] helped build consistency within the team. That helped also build some level of planning. We obviously got better at the editing and figured out the mechanics that came to podcasting, and we figured out how to actually run and operate as a network because that wasn’t a skillset that we had coming in.” - Donald Aryee, Create Your Life Series, #203
“All those shows are not failures, because those really are learning opportunities. All those episodes that we didn’t record correctly—all those where the mic went wrong or we didn’t export something perfectly or the audio didn’t sync up—all those things are the learning opportunities that make these batch of shows much better than they could have been. So it all counts, and I’m really grateful for that.” - Donald Aryee, Create Your Life Series, #203
“Lessons learned, not failures, right? Opportunities to improve.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #203
“I always feel like to get the best out of people in what we do, it’s always best to give them that room to express themselves and hear what they have to say and see how best we can bring what it is they want to do to life. The hope is that with our experience and expertise, they would also trust whatever guidance and inputs we bring to the table is worthy of incorporating.” - Cyril Afeku, Create Your Life Series, #203
“You kind of have to look in the mirror and work out how you are a mentor to yourself. Be honest with who you are and what self-improvement looks like, and what challenging yourself looks like.” - Donald Aryee, Create Your Life Series, #203
“We realized that we weren’t going to be able to either serve every community, or serve every community exhaustively or adequately. On our end we’ll provide you with our resources as we can to get you started, and that way it doesn’t become a case of you have to rely on GCR before this gets done because I think for us, first and foremost, we are huge fans of the medium and do want this space to grow.” - Donald Aryee, Create Your Life Series, #203
“For me in all spaces it’s really ‘how do I figure out what somebody is way better than me at’, and then ‘how do I have them teach me and show me?’ Usually it helps build really good relationships and connections too because people like teaching, they like talking to you, they tell you about themselves, and you get to know them better.” - Cyril Afeku, Create Your Life Series, #203
“If somebody takes the time to correct you or give you feedback, that’s them showing you love and trying to help you to improve, and that’s an opportunity. It’s not about taking things personal, but remembering why you’re here.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #203
“Ghanaians are passionate people. We do care about each other, we care about our family, our friends, our loved ones, our community, and podcasting just makes that so much more personal because it’s not as structured or rigid as traditional media is. The host allows for a much deeper connection, and I think that’s something that works natural for who we are as a people, and zooming out I think that works well for the continent of Africa because one thing that keeps coming up when you look back at our history is ours is an oral tradition, and nothing hits home like audio. And what’s a thing about audio that has a future? It’s podcasting.” - Cyril Afeku, Create Your Life Series, #203
“Growing up in foster care from 9 months to 18 I think foundationally is what has made me strong, helps me to adapt to new environments, makes me curious to know people, to learn people, to learn about different cultures, and is probably a big part of my foundation for hard work and also for my confidence.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #203

Resources Mentioned

Sincerely Accra, a GCR podcast on everyday life in Ghana
After the Whistle, a sports podcast
Free Your Mind, a general talk and lifestyle podcast
Sex and Sanity podcast
The Unartiste Podcast, a pop culture podcast
Sunday Fufu, a podcast hosted by Donald Aryee where men have conversations they’ve been conditioned not to have
Is It Crack?, a podcast on everyday trending topics
The Palaver Podcast on storytelling and travel
Hairpins & Straights, a motorsports podcast
GCR Labs
Mosaic - A GCR Event
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Asics Gel Kayano running shoes

Favorite Book

Donald Aryee: The Purpose Driven Lifeby Rick Warren
Cyril Afeku: A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Favorite Quote

“Step in love.”
“Be a wrestler for the greatest prize of all, which is control of self.”
“The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing, because an artful life requires being prepared to meet and withstand sudden and unexpected attacks.” - Marcus Aurelius

3 Keys to Create Your Best Life

Donald Aryee:

Consistency
Be ready for opportunity
Open yourself up to different experiences and try new things

Cyril Afeku:

Love
Be able to challenge yourself
Enjoy your life

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

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Kevin Y. Brown

Website: Kevin Y Brown

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Cyril Afeku

Podcast: Bad Energy

Donald Aryee

Instagram: whatdonaldsaid

Twitter: whatdonaldsaidd

Podcast: Sunday Fufu

Gold Coast Report Network

Website: The Gold Coast Report

Facebook: The Gold Coast Report

Instagram: thegoldcoastreport

Twitter: thegoldcoastreport

TikTok: thegoldcoastreport

Email: social@thegoldcoastreport.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Afripods, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 202: Africa X Radio - Why Africa X? with Calvin Wanguku Oct 17, 2023

Episode Summary

This special episode of the Africa X series features Kevin Y. Brown’s recent appearance on Trace FM with Calvin Wanguku. They talk about the personal and professional opportunities that drew Kevin back to Kenya, the evolution of Create Your Life, and the power of the grind. Kevin shares his excitement for the Africa X series and where it’s going, why podcasting is an ideal medium to preserve African history, language, culture, and traditions, and why when we’re looking to create our lives the most valuable question we can ask is ‘how.’

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.

Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…

Insights From the Episode

What makes African storytelling unique
The opportunity for creators in Africa in the podcasting industry
Tips for how creatives can get paid for their work

Quotes from the Show

“I went on a journey of finding what was exactly was going on with me, but also I had the opportunity to really see Black legacy here, for generations and generations of people who have these families who have been doing striving and excellence. So because of that I wanted to come back and really be immersed in blackness in a place where I don’t have to worry about my skin complexion, where I don’t have to worry about so many things and I’m allowed to just exist.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #202
“I was so keen on helping to amplify African stories, but also I think that podcasting is a low-cost way to save and preserve African history, language, culture and tradition so that those in the future can have authentic African experiences. To me that matters a lot.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #202
“The ability to be able to adapt, listen, and then actually move into learning about these other stories you haven’t heard about, you have Hollywood and these other stories that are coming from the West, but it’s Africa’s time to hear these stories from the source.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #202
“The biggest thing for me with Create Your Life is that a lot of times when they’re interviewing people ask ‘why’ and ‘what’ you do, but they never ask ‘how’, and the ‘how’ is the only thing that can be duplicated. So as I talk to amazing trailblazers and I also have conversations with the youth, a lot of times the youth are asking, ‘hey, what about the how?’ or my peers are asking ‘how?’. How did you do this? How did you do that? So I said, why don’t I open up a space where you can hear from people who have walked your walk… I think Africa X is that way for people to be able to create their life, and that’s my whole thing: create the life you’ve always wanted to live. I live by that; I’m a product of that; I am that; so I wanted to share it.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #202
“I think one of the biggest things to keep in mind as a creator is ‘don’t complain about not getting the rewards you didn’t work for.’ If you’re going to become a podcaster, you’ve got to be committed to the grind, and being ‘committed to the grind’ looks like doing the work and being consistent and understanding your audience, understanding your listener, understanding what guests you should have on your show. Those are the important pillars of having a good show.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #202
“You’ve got to grind it out in order to get these results. Money is the result of hard work and dedication. I remember my high school principal said, ‘There’s no job called “make money. You make money by being good at what it is that you do.’” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #202

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: Kevin Y Brown

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Afripods, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 201: Africa X Fintech - Identity, Finance and the Path to Personal Growth with Yoeal Haile Oct 02, 2023

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Africa X Series, Kevin talks with Yoeal Haile, CEO and Co-Founder of Sava, on the ways that his education and career opportunities have helped him discover the life he wants to live. Yoeal shares the story of how a seventh grade stock market club led to his passion for fintech, how he used an engineering degree and some tenacity to break into Wall Street, the investment he made in himself and his goals that got him into grad school, and the pivotal moments that led to him sorting out his identity as a first-generation African American immigrant and moving back to Africa. Kevin and Yoeal discuss Kevin’s “Ambition Mentality” and the opportunities that can make change fun, the principle of kaizen, and possibilities for the future of fintech in Africa.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.

Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…

Yoeal Haile

Yoeal is the CEO and Co-Founder of Sava, a fintech business helping businesses manage their finances and access affordable credit. He was previously the CEO and Founder of Aspira, the largest Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) fintech in East Africa, the Founder of Winelife, and also worked as the Chief Strategy Officer of the African Leadership Group where he helped the founding team establish universities in Rwanda and Mauritius. Yoeal also spent time as an EquityDerivatives Associate for Merrill Lynch in Hong Kong and New York. He has a MBA with a dual major in Finance and Management from The Wharton School of Business and a BS in Industrial Engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Insights From the Episode

How investing in yourself and committing to your goals with tenacity can open up opportunities
Tips for starting a successful business and bringing in a strong customer base
How to take care of yourself as a leader and avoid burnout
The impact of having and becoming a mentor to give back to your community
Tips for those wanting to get involved in the African fintech space
The power of intuition and trusting in yourself
Overcoming work challenges and the ‘near death experiences’ in a company by focusing on the long-term game
How making changes to your diet, sleep schedule, and cutting out alcohol could affect your personal and professional life
Using challenges as an opportunity for personal feedback and looking within yourself

Quotes from the Show

“For those who went over prior, generations and generations ago, it’s very interesting when you have those who’ve just come and it’s like, ‘oh we’re so different.’ In reality, at least to me, a lot of our cultures and traditions are similar, they just look different because of the amount of time away from the homeland. I think about what happens to that first generation Eritrean in five generations. How much of the culture is still intact versus it becoming Americanized or African-Americanized? This is about bringing us together and bringing abundance to our communities. Because at the end of the day, whether it’s now or it’s in five generations, we’re all going to still be fighting the same fight. I think that there’s strength in numbers.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #201
“I knew I wanted to go to Wall Street, but at the same time I didn’t want to study finance. I think there’s a separation between following your passion and what you do for a living. For me I was like let me do something that gives me optionality and challenges me, and I thought engineering was that.” - Yoeal Haile, Create Your Life Series, #201
“One phrase that I love is ‘Kaizen’, continuous improvement. Just knowing that even if everyone’s happy you’re continuing to raise that bar for your customers and they’ll be your brand ambassadors and you’ll see a ton of organic growth.” - Yoeal Haile, Create Your Life Series, #201
“One thing I enjoy about entrepreneurship is when you get to a certain stage of the business and your product is out there and you can see people interacting with your product; that’s the ultimate high. I don’t think there’s anything in the world that feels better than that.” - Yoeal Haile, Create Your Life Series, #201
“At the end of the day you just have to have a clear vision of what your purpose is and keep that top of mind always. Every day think about it, use that to ground you, and keep pushing.” - Yoeal Haile, Create Your Life Series, #201
“Self work is a continuous process. It’s a lifelong journey, and once you start embracing it you start to see things change around you.” - Yoeal Haile, Create Your Life Series, #201
“I’m always challenging myself to become better and learn something new, so I’m going to continue to keep setting up new goals and knocking them down. That’s my real thing, but also continuing to look inward and be present with myself and focus on the things that matter to me and also continue to be open, honest and vulnerable with myself and others.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #201
“My mentality is Ambition Mentality. Ambition is my word, a word that means a lot to me. For me it’s always about ‘feed your ambition.’ The ambition mentality is about getting better and being better every day, and also being open to being wrong so that you can continue to ultimately get better.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #201
“Change is fun. It’s fun as in you know what’s going to happen on the other end of it. There are going to be times where it’s challenging, it’s de-motivating and all of these things, but what’s on the other side of it is beautiful. So embrace the challenge of having to evolve and to change. I think the interesting part about it is that most people don’t embrace the challenge happily of making the change and evolving, and I wish that a lot more people would because there is so much more that you could become, and to me it really matters.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #201

Favorite Book

Conversations With Godby Neale Donald Walsch

3 Keys to Create Your Best Life

Stop making excuses.
Go after it today.
Talk to your customers.

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

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Kevin Y. Brown

Website: Kevin Y Brown

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Yoeal Haile

Instagram: Yoeal Haile

Twitter: Yoeal Haile

Facebook: Yoeal Haile

LinkedIn: Yoeal Haile

Email: Yoeal@sava.africa

Website: Sava

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Afripods, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 200: Africa X Podcasting - The Road to Episode 200 Sep 18, 2023

Episode Summary

To celebrate the 200th episode of the Create Your Life Series podcast, friend of the show Eric N. Fondran steps in as guest host to speak with Kevin Y. Brown about the journey that the Create Your Life Series has traveled. Beginning ten years ago in Japan as a series of motivational videos, it became a syndicated radio show on Sirius XM before transitioning to our podcast series today. Kevin shares the story and motivation behind the show, how he overcame various challenges and stayed focused on the dream, and what he’s learned along the way. Kevin talks about the future potential of the show, how he continues to create his own best life, and then enters the dolphin tank for the first time to reveal his answers to the rapid fire questions he poses to his guests.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.

Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…

Eric N. Fondren

Eric N. Fondren is a former resident guest of the Create Your Life Series, sharing lessons and stories on CEO Talks. He is a financial professional that specializes in wealth management and estate planning for young families and professionals. Guided by his faith and family, Eric’s career and entrepreneurial background have provided him with knowledge from many different industries including professional counseling, web design, technology and ad sales, and securities management. Today he is a Registered Representative with NYLIFE Securities LLC helping young and mid-career professionals develop a sound financial strategy, protect their loved ones and create generational wealth.

Insights From the Episode

The origin story of Create Your Life and its slogan
Strategies for transitioning from a fear-based to vision-based mindset
How to shape your own value system rather than chasing someone else’s
Insights on the keys to continual success
How to find the motivation to overcome challenges and persevere
The factors and characteristics that can help you create your best life

Quotes from the Show

“The absence of expectation can lead to amazing results. A lot of people were very surprised that I even made it into college, and all of my mentors at the time were surprised that I made it through a week. Thank God they never told me that until I had finished, because I just had this level of determination. What it means to me to create my life is that, I’m lucky. There was no expectation, so I just got to create.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #200
Kevin on making good grades in highschool: “I came up with this rule when I was in high school, always more A’s than B’s and never any C’s.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #200
“Everybody creates their life, but you transitioned from the motivating factor behind the creation. It seems like you started out as ‘I’m creating my life because I’m running from something’, and the Kevin Y. Brown that I know in 2023 creates his life because he’s chasing something.” - Eric N. Fondren, Create Your Life Series, #200
“I had to make peace with where I was from, what challenges I had to endure, and what was less than ideal. I think that personal work has helped because it has allowed me to be free from those shackles of having to live within that space. In order to create, you have to be free.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #200
“I’ve always been very transparent with my audience about the things that I’m working on as well. Because it’s not me sitting up here trying to give you this grand advice as much as I’m in this with you too; these are the things that I'm learning; this is where I might be falling short; these are the things I’m looking to improve.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #200
“I think a lot of times that vision of the life we create and that belief of where we want to be, sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves to already be that person that we don’t even stop to realize the value of who we are today and what we’re doing for the people around us.” - Eric N. Fondren, Create Your Life Series, #200
“Many people think about creating your own life as this love story to yourself and it’s this beautiful arc, but just like every story there is some conflict, there is a valley that you have to walk through.” - Eric N. Fondren, Create Your Life Series, #200
“Life has its ups and downs, but if you keep going straight everything will work out. You have to persevere; you have to keep going.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #200
“Being able to admit when you’re wrong and having no problem being wrong is, I think, the ultimate goal. If you’re okay with being wrong, you can be taught. And if you can keep learning, you never go out of style; you can always evolve. But you have to be honest with yourself.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #200

Resources Mentioned

Afripods
Slack software
Google suite

Favorite Book

PowerNomics by Dr. Claud Anderson

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favorite Quote

“Excellence is the bare minimum.” - Kanye West
“Do it well or not at all.”

3 Keys to Create Your Best Life

Do it well or not at all. Be consistent.
Be you. Be authentic. Be original.
Be curious. Try different things and explore.

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Debt Free College Academy

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: Kevin Y Brown

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Eric Fondren

Instagram: ericnfondren

Twitter: Eric Fondren

LinkedIn: Eric Fondren

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Afripods, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 199: Africa X Podcasting - The Blueprint to Female Leadership in New Media with Molly A. Jensen Sep 04, 2023

Episode Summary

This week Kevin Y. Brown has a discussion with Molly Jensen, his colleague and CEO of the growing pan-African podcast hosting company, Afripods. They talk about how Afripods helps creators take up as much space as possible while getting paid for their genius, and the ways that they uniquely serve African creators and consumers. Molly shares how a New Yorker ended up in Nairobi, what she’s learned about leading and motivating a team, how she’s working to overcome challenges and get comfortable with discomfort and uncertainty, and the ways that her experience as an athlete have translated into her success as a CEO. Kevin and Molly discuss the personal habits that fuel their days, the idea of legacy, and the difference between the juice and the sauce–you’ll want to listen in to find out!

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.

Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…

Molly Jensen

Molly Jensen is the Chief Executive Officer of Afripods, a free pan-African podcast hosting platform building the largest library of African audio stories on the planet, based in Nairobi, Kenya. With the ability to categorize in over 50 languages and with content from over 30 countries including that from individual podcasters, radio stations and media houses, Afripods is the home for African podcasting across the continent and within the Diaspora. As a Ghanaian-American born in New York, Molly is extremely excited to help digitize African stories and wants to see African creators take up as much space as possible while creating avenues to help them get paid for their work. She has over ten years of experience across people management, sales, marketing and technology. Molly has spoken at Podcast Movement, Africa Podcast Day, Africa Media Festival, BBC Media Leaders conferences, and Advertising Week Africa as well as most recently featured in Forbes, The Guardian, Reuters, JamLab Africa, Podcast Sessions and Apple Podcasts.

Insights From the Episode

Advice on how you can fill your cup and show up for yourself so you can better support others
Tips for aspiring business leaders and women, in particular, wanting to build their own companies
Strategies for identifying distinguishing qualities in people and assembling a powerful team
What makes Afripods different from other podcast-hosting companies
Strategies for being a good leader and managing relationships with team members in the workplace
Discussion on the differences between doing business in Africa vs. in New York
Tips for problem-solving when your perspective is different from your team members
Thoughts on the future of podcasting in Kenya and Africa as a whole

Quotes from the Show

“With Afripods we’re able to speak to these creators, we’re able to create a technical solution for them, we’re able to advocate for them. When I look at my role it’s not just a privilege to be in a position as an executive, there’s a real responsibility to do right by the people on the ground. My job isn’t just enforcing my opinion; my job is listening to what creators want and then advocating for it and making sure that it happens alongside our incredible team. That’s what we do, and that’s why I think it’s important.” - Molly Jensen, Create Your Life Series, #199
“I think a lot of times you want everything to go right, and you’ll miss your opportunity to catch the wave by waiting for perfection. A lot of times it’s not you that’s causing the delay–it’s your team, it’s another person, it’s getting reviews back–and I think trusting yourself, you will never look back and be upset if you trusted yourself. You will look back and be upset if you trusted someone else and things went wrong, but if you trust yourself and you make a mistake, that’s just a learning experience. I’m definitely working on my ability to be comfortable with failing.“ - Molly Jensen, Create Your Life Series, #199
On doing business in Africa: “People care about relationships, which then goes back to this innate understanding of community. People matter. And once I really understood that the connecting piece of all this was people, I was able to lean in on experience and continue to research the best ways to get maximum value out of people.” - Molly Jensen, Create Your Life Series, #199
“Work is work, and when we have a problem or if someone feels disrespected, we have to stop. The thing is, we can argue until we’re blue in the face about if this table is black or if it’s navy blue… if someone says, ‘Are you blind? This table is black!’, that’s disrespectful. I think as you touch an emotion what happens is that you make people feel less than, you make people feel insecure, you make people feel not confident to speak, so from a work perspective, we can do as much work as we can–there’s going to be more work tomorrow and the day after that and after that–but if you feel unsafe, if you feel disrespected, if you feel you can’t voice your opinion, we have to stop and handle that.” - Molly Jensen, Create Your Life Series, #199
“Everyone who has an opinion thinks their opinion is right–that’s the thing about an opinion. For me, I am working at being better at listening, hearing people all the way through. Not just having my thought and waiting to speak my thought, but actually hearing what someone else says.” - Molly Jensen, Create Your Life Series, #199
“The funny thing about making a mistake is someone can tell you that you’re about to make a mistake and it won't stop you from making the mistake. Sometimes you have to make the mistake yourself and know how bad it is so you won’t do it again.” - Molly Jensen, Create Your Life Series, #199
“When you distill it, we’re really talking about storytelling in Africa and the opportunity to memorialize language, the opportunity to reposition and evolve regular radio talk shows to a more on-demand version. I don’t think radio’s going anywhere, but I think podcasts provide another opportunity for people to engage with highly specialized niche content, and why would we let anyone who doesn’t care about that into this space? I think that it’s a win across the board, whether big multinationals come into place, whether local businesses are built up, what we know is that Afropods is advocating for the creator which means that everyone is going to have to advocate for the creator. You’re not going to be able to be successful if you don’t advocate for the creator, and I feel very proud about that.” - Molly Jensen, Create Your Life Series, #199
“I am one of those people that believe I want my life to be measured in moments of celebration. I throw a party for everything, and what I’m so grateful for is that my community shows up. When I ask for help, they show up.” - Molly Jensen, Create Your Life Series, #199
“I feel like sometimes the support you have in one situation is not the support you’re going to have in another situation, and I think that it depends on what you need but you also need to either know that you need something or know what you need. You may not know what it is that you need, but if you know that you need something you can ask for it, and I’m not afraid to ask, I’m not afraid to be exposed, I’m not afraid to be vulnerable. I think there’s a lot of power in vulnerability, and I am grateful that the champions that surround me, the ones who are rooting for me, the ones who want me to be successful, the ones who comment on my Instagrams, the ones who are praying for me without knowing what’s going on…they’re all part of my community, and whether they want to be or not, they’re in the game with me.” - Molly Jensen, Create Your Life Series, #199
“It’s becoming even more comfortable with people essentially not liking you. Sometimes people’s issues have to do with themselves and don’t necessarily have anything to do with you, and then sometimes might just not be feeling you… I just have to realize and be okay with who I am and how I operate, while also being open to being wrong and doing things differently and accepting feedback.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #199
“If somebody spends the time to tell you what you could be doing better, I think that is them expressing love and expressing that they care, and that it’s my responsibility to take that love and then move differently.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #199

Resources Mentioned

Juice vs Sauce Explained Best Buy employee video
LinkedIn
Gmail

Favorite Book

Scaling People: Tactics for Management and Company Building by Claire Hughes Johnson

Favorite Quote

“It’s not the juice, it’s the sauce.” - Kevin Y. Brown via Juice vs. Sauce video

3 Keys to Create Your Best Life

Go after it.
You only have one life.
Love on everyone, hard.

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: Kevin Y Brown

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Molly Jensen

LinkedIn: Molly Jensen

Twitter: mj_acosua

Afripods

Website: Afripods

Twitter: afripods

Instagram: afripods

Facebook: Afripods

LinkedIn: Afripods

YouTube: Afripods

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Stitcher, Afripods, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 198: Africa X Podcasting - The Opportunity Continent with Kevin Y. Brown Aug 21, 2023

Episode Summary

In this week’s live show, Kevin Y. Brown gives a presentation on The Opportunity within the African podcast industry, using his experience on the business, talent, and technical side of podcasting to analyze some of the statistics and trends that have been found in African markets. He talks about the rise of vernacular podcasts on the Continent, the value in authenticity and developing strong relationships, and how to be successful in the African market, especially when you’re coming in as a newcomer. Kevin answers questions on the size of the African market and how podcasting can become a sustainable business, along with how we can support Afripods from across the Diaspora and collaborate with other creators to strengthen the industry as a whole. Get a deeper look into Kevin’s podcast beginnings, the launch of his production company Podcast Laundry and the Create Your Life Series, and hear the story of how his trip to Africa gave him the spark to move to Nairobi and become a part of the emerging African podcast ecosystem.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.

Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…

Insights From the Episode

How an African American came to be working on the ground in the podcasting industry in Africa
Insights into the trends and behaviors of the emerging African market
How to work to be a part of the community and respect those that have existed in the space before you
The importance of authenticity, relationships, and coming into a new market with a student mindset
Differences between podcasting in Africa vs. in the West
Tips for finding success in different African markets
Insights into how podcasters are working to create a sustainable industry and where we can grow
Technical insights on advertising, release schedules, recording lengths, genres, and podcast apps

Quotes from the Show

“At Afripods, we’re really encouraging creators to do content in their vernacular because as the world becomes more westernized, it’s really important for people–especially in Africa–to preserve their history, culture, traditions, and also language so that future generations can also have an authentic African experience. I think that podcasting is a low-cost way for us to achieve this goal. That’s something that I’m really passionate about when it comes to podcasting and the industry in Africa.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #198
“In the different countries people have different behaviors because all of these countries have different things going on. What I think is important is you have to really go in and respect the way that people do things and really learn. We can’t go in with a colonial mindset of this is how things should be done, this is how we should view them, etc. We have to literally be students of how things operate and ask a lot of questions in order to understand the behaviors.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #198
“In order for podcasting to grow as an industry overall, we’re going to need help from the Diaspora and there’s going to need to be a collaborative effort. No industry is an island.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #198
On moving into the African market as an outsider and collaborating with partners: “As knowledgeable as you may be or you may feel, you still need to bring somebody who is from home into the mix and have them having the conversations and being a part as a student. A lot of the time it’s you getting out of the spotlight and supporting your team members in order for the greater good of the industry.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #198
Particularly in the African market: “Essential for success is relationships. Money is great, but people have to like you and need to know you, and that might require a couple of warm intros for you to get the conversation and really move things. I cannot stress the value of relationships enough. Everything will depend upon a relationship and you really have to do a good job in guarding it, nurturing it, and making sure that you’re watering it, because you won’t be able to move forward if you don’t have the relationships.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #198
“You need to be able to adapt, you need to ask a lot of questions, and you need to understand–I can’t stress that enough. You have to understand and you have to be curious about how to continue to improve. It’s like being a student everyday.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #198
“You want to exercise patience. While your time might be valuable to you, it might not be a priority to someone else, so you need to exercise patience and persistence.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #198
“Understand the benefits of your client. From city to city, from country to country, those benefits may look differently so it’s going to require some additional research and conversations with people on the ground who are working in the industry and understand what it is that is driving this particular media house, this particular set of creators, this particular set of creators who are part of this particular collective.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #198
“I think it’s important that whatever you’re asking for, however you want to contribute, that it’s mutually beneficial. A lot of times people’s ask can be one-sided, so I think it’s really important to make sure that your value is mutually beneficial.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #198

Resources Mentioned

Africa Podfest, who has compiled the statistics on behavior
The Gold Coast Report
Mosaic Conference (hosted by The Gold Coast Report)

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: Kevin Y Brown

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Stitcher, Afripods, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 197: Africa X Podcasting - You Can’t Be An Industry Of One - One Woman’s Mission To Highlight Africa’s Podcasting Stars With Rutendo Nyamuda Aug 14, 2023

Episode Summary

In this week’s episode of the Africa X series, Kevin is joined by Rutendo Nyamuda, founder and CEO of pan-African podcast company Tinzwe Media and host of “The Podcast Sessions”, “In My 20s”, and the poetry and storytelling podcast told in each guest’s mother tongue, “Inside Wants Out.” Rutendo shares her thoughts on innovation and incorporating other mediums into podcasting such as video, TikTok, YouTube shorts, and print–as she’s done with her own digital magazine companion to “The Podcast Sessions”, Africa’s first pan-African podcast magazine. She talks about ways to cater to those who want to consume something visual while still staying true to the roots of the audio medium along with offering an opportunity for podcasters to tell their stories in a different way. Rutendo and Kevin share how best to learn from the people you respect and incorporate their practices in your own life in a way that works for you, feeling excited about the person you’re becoming, and the origins of the Create Your Life Series.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.

Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…

Rutendo Nyamuda

Rutendo Nyamuda is the founder and CEO of Tinzwe Media, a podcast company focused on the pan-African podcast industry. The company produces three original podcasts, “The Podcast Sessions”, “In My 20s” and “Inside Wants Out“. Tinzwe Media also produces Africa’s first pan-African digital podcast magazine also titled “The Podcast Sessions”. In her career she has worked across various areas of the media and entertainment industry including journalism, TV production, corporate video production, PR and podcasting. Rutendo has written for prominent publications including: ELLE SA, Forbes Africa, CNBC Africa Online and the Huffington Post. She has also worked in TV for The Expresso Morning Show and The Afternoon Express Show (SABC3).

An avid speaker, she served as the President of the Ernst and Young Toastmasters Club for the 2019 / 2020 season. She was also recognised as one of the top 10 Toastmasters speakers in the SADC region for 2019/2020. In addition, she is a voice over artist having voiced adverts as well as corporate videos for the likes of: ABSA, Takealot, MultiChoice, TCM, and the SA-Eu Strategic Partnership to name a few. In 2020 Rutendo was featured on the prestigious Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans list for her work in the podcast industry.

Insights From the Episode

Rutendo’s vision for the future of podcasting
Why it’s important to share stories in other mother tongues and for listeners to hear them, even if they don’t understand the words
Insights into how the South African podcasting market differs from other markets on the Continent
How to find and grow your audience
How you can contribute to the podcast industry even if you don’t have your own podcast
Tips for new African podcasters who are starting out in the industry
When numbers can help you as a form of feedback, and when you should ignore them
How the role of a mentor differs from a friend, the different kinds of mentors in our lives, and how to make the most of the time and resources they give you
Getting past the mental block of overthinking and searching for perfection

Quotes from the Show

When she was looking for a job after being retrenched: “I asked myself, ‘if money wasn’t an object, what is it that you would do?’” - Rutendo Nyamuda, Create Your Life Series, #197 [05:50]
“Let’s put podcasters on the covers of magazines. We have such a rich African storytelling, podcasting community… Why aren’t we on the covers of magazines? And people are saying, ‘I really like this person, they inspire me.’ They should be seen. They should be on the cover of a magazine. Because maybe they won’t be on the cover of an ELLE or a Vogue or a TIME, but we can put you on the cover of our magazine because we see you and we appreciate the work that you’re doing and you’re changing the game in such big ways.” - Rutendo Nyamuda, Create Your Life Series, #197 [12:05]
“As someone who was born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa, there is this sense of being a child of the Diaspora, but there’s also a sense of longing. You’re always longing for the sense of trying to find yourself, trying to discover yourself. Being born in Zim and raised in South Africa, I wasn’t South African enough. There are certain things that from a cultural perspective would miss me. I didn’t grow up in Zim, so as much as I understand parts of my culture that I do understand, sometimes it’s like, ‘I didn’t know that.’ You’re discovering. And wherever I travel on the Continent, you feel a sense of ‘I get the culture, I can feel that sense of being African, but at the same time it’s like I want to get to understand your culture a little bit more’ because I think we are incredibly interconnected as Africans in so many more ways than not.” - Rutendo Nyamuda, Create Your Life Series, #197 [16:08]
“I would love to see more podcasts around culture, around language, around understanding the history of various countries, practices, why practices were done, why they weren’t done.” - Rutendo Nyamuda, Create Your Life Series, #197 [19:12]
“If you are growing a business or you’re starting a company, you want to make sure it’s sustainable without you so you don’t always have to be there. I want to take holidays, I want to take a break, I want to know that there is a team that are in positions to do this, and that is the way that we make this profitable and sustainable.” - Rutendo Nyamuda, Create Your Life Series, #197 [22:30]
“I think what the big podcasters and podcasts have managed to do really well is they’ve found their audience. You have the sense of ‘we’re not trying to reach everyone. We’re trying to reach this group of people, and by trying to reach this small group of people we just happen to be reaching a whole bunch of people.’ They know their audience. They know who they’re speaking to.” - Rutendo Nyamuda, Create Your Life Series, #197 [31:26]
“This game doesn’t work if everyone is not able to succeed. You can’t be only one and then say I’m in an industry of one. You can be the first and you can amplify, but there’s no harm in me sharing the success and challenges of The Podcast Sessions with the next person. ‘Lighting someone else’s candle doesn’t take away the light of your own candle’, and that’s why these conversations, these platforms, are really important.” - Rutendo Nyamuda, Create Your Life Series, #197 [35:15]
“Life is a marathon. The things you do are a marathon, and the only way to really get out of these things what it is that you want is to be yourself and stay in your lane. Don’t watch what everybody else is doing; stay in your lane. Stay steadfast. Stay the course.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #197 [40:38]
“I think there’s something to be said about doing what you say you’re going to do. To me that’s what builds your confidence, that by continuously doing what you’ve said you’re going to do it’s like, ‘I’ve done the work, so there’s no way you’re going to shake this foundation.’”- Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #197 [01:06:47]
“A lot of times when I look at people I respect, I’m really looking at their ‘how.’ Because the ‘why’ and the ‘what’ can always change and that can be personal, but the ‘how’, the steps to getting there, is something that you can repeat and put your own twist on it, making it into something that works for you.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #197 [01:09:02]

Resources Mentioned

Favorite Book

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favorite Quote

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - Marianne Williamson

3 Keys to Create Your Best Life

Decide what it is that you want. Sometimes we are influenced by society, family, or friends, and we don’t actually know what we want.
Don’t be afraid to unlearn and relearn. You can change if you want to change.
You are going to fail. Tell yourself it’s okay to fail and keep moving. It’s not going to be perfect.

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: Kevin Y Brown

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Rutendo Nyamuda

Website: Tinzwe Media

Twitter: roo10dough

Instagram: roo10dough

The Podcast Sessions

Website: The Podcast Sessions

TikTok: thepodcast sessions

Facebook: The Podcast Sessions

Email: thepodcastsessions@gmail.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Stitcher, Afripods, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 196: Africa X Podcasting - The Emergence of Industry with Dan Aceda, Kim Fox, Molly Jensen, Anthony Fraser and Kevin Y. Brown Aug 07, 2023

Episode Summary

In this special episode of the Africa X series, Kevin Y. Brown moderates a discussion on The Emergence of the African podcast industry with a panel of four experts who all contribute to content in the African podcasting ecosystem: Dan Aceda, Kim Fox, Molly Jensen, and Anthony Frasier. The panel goes through statistics on African creators and their listenership, giving their takes on where the industry’s strengths lie, areas for growth, and what needs to happen to get there. They discuss how the organizations that they are a part of–Afripods, SemaBOX, PodFest Cairo, and ABF Creative–are working to meet the needs of both their creators and listeners, encourage and support underrepresented voices in media to share and distribute their stories and reduce barriers to entry so that creators have the resources they need to consistently create audio content. They answer audience questions from current and aspiring podcasters and end with a call to action to support and uplift African creators.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.

Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…

Dan Aceda

Dan Aceda is an activist, entrepreneur, actor, and award-winning musician. He is the founder and CEO of SemaBOX, a podcast studio based in Nairobi, Kenya that helps emerging podcasters create and distribute their stories across the world and is the largest podcast production company in Africa, producing over 700 different episodes with 200 podcast creators. In 2021 they launched the DADA Podcast Incubator, a program to upskill, to publish and create a platform specifically for women and non-binary people whose stories and storytelling ideas can resonate globally. Dan is a board member of the Music Publishers Association of Kenya and co-founded Studio Tisa, an online live music platform that acts as a virtual concert venue to showcase live music from the people of East Africa and beyond.

Kim Fox

Kim Fox is a professor of practice in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (JRMC) at The American University in Cairo (AUC) in Cairo, Egypt, primarily teaching Audio Production and other journalism courses. She spent decades working in the US radio industry in various positions at WOUB AM/FM/TV in Athens, Ohio; WIZF in Cincinnati, Ohio; WBLK in Buffalo, New York, WAKR in Akron, Ohio and many more. In 2020 Kim founded PodFest Cairo, Egypt’s first podcasting conference, hosting nearly 100 podcasters for learning sessions and a podcast pitch competition. As the executive producer of the award-winning Ehky Ya Masr (Tell Your Story Egypt) Podcast, a narrative nonfiction podcast about life in Cairo, Egypt, she works with young freelance producers, many of them former students, writing and editing audio content. Kim is also the Vice President of Academic Affairs for the Broadcast Education Association and the Co-President of AIR, the Association of Independents in Radio.

Molly Jensen

Molly Jensen is the Chief Executive Officer of Afripods, a free pan-African podcast hosting platform building the largest library of African audio stories on the planet, based in Nairobi, Kenya. With the ability to categorize in over 50 languages and with content from over 30 countries including that from individual podcasters, radio stations and media houses, Afripods is the home for African podcasting across the continent and within the Diaspora. As a Ghanaian-American born in New York, Molly is extremely excited to help digitize African stories and wants to see African creators take up as much space as possible while creating avenues to help them get paid for their work. She has over ten years of experience across people management, sales, marketing and technology. Molly has spoken at Podcast Movement, Africa Podcast Day, Africa Media Festival, BBC Media Leaders conferences, and Advertising Week Africa as well as most recently featured in Forbes, The Guardian, Reuters, JamLab Africa, Podcast Sessions and Apple Podcasts.

Anthony Frasier

Anthony Frasier is a tech entrepreneur, digital strategist, and the CEO and founder of ABF Creative, a multicultural podcasting production company that produces kids and family podcasts for people of color. Frasier also currently serves as the entrepreneur in residence for Newark Venture Partners, a fund created by Audible & Amazon to help bring more tech startups to his hometown of Newark, NJ. Anthony's mission is to tell and amplify stories that bring entertaining and positive transformations to as many lives as possible.

Insights From the Episode

Insights into the relationship between radio and the emergence of the podcasting industry in Africa
Thoughts on how to get more creators to record podcasts in their native vernacular languages
How platforms can evolve to improve discoverability both within Africa and outside of the Continent to highlight African stories
Discussion on how to raise the awareness and quality of local content to get the same kind of listenership as international podcasts
How we can support, empower, and connect with the African podcasting ecosystem
Why we should care about content coming from Africa

Quotes from the Show

On the relationship between radio broadcasts and podcasts: “We are a continent of orated history. We’re comfortable getting information from our ears, and radio is the most prevalent medium on the Continent. As the digitization of internet media, technology, and podcasts becomes more popular, it’s important to meet people where they are.” - Molly Jensen, Create Your Life Series, #196
“In the existence of our studio, the early adopters were female. They were the first ones who came and the first ones to try a new technology, telling new stories. They were also the ones with multiple different vulnerabilities that needed to be highlighted; stories that needed to be told. As soon as that became clear to us at SemaBOX, we were mobilizing as much as we could to find ways to discover more voices and make sure that those are on the right platform. Even though women–as Thomas Sankara said–’hold up half of the sky’, their voices don’t represent half of what you hear on radio or on the internet. They are valid, fantastic, and they need to be out there.” - Dan Aceda, Create Your Life Series, #196
On breaking into podcasting in Africa: “My advice would be to find someone who you can collaborate with, especially on the Continent where there are so many universities you can tap into, to help bring your resources and get some resources from them as well.” - Kim Fox, Create Your Life Series, #196
“We all want to see African creators take up as much space as possible, but also get paid for their genius.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #196
“Podcasting is a low-cost way for us to be able to preserve history, culture, traditions, and language. Other languages will die if we do not preserve them or if we are not using them, so for future Africans, no matter where they are throughout the Diaspora, in order for them to have an authentic history they need to hear their language, culture, and traditions from themselves.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #196
“One of the biggest focuses for Afripods is that we’re making sure we’re building a product with the African creator in mind, but also with the African creators’ input.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #196
“You have to have an Africa strategy. If you don’t have one, there’s a problem. You’re missing out on a billion people, a huge market to not be talking about. There needs to be more investment in local platforms–Afripods, SemaBOX, Africa Podfest, Podfest Cairo–because we are the ones that have granular knowledge of the market and can lead the world towards what can work because we work with it every day.” - Dan Aceda, Create Your Life Series, #196
“If you don’t have an Africa strategy, you do not have a growth strategy. And that’s on everything.” - Molly Jensen, Create Your Life Series, #196
“Podcasting has hit a wall when you think about listeners. There’s only a few growth areas where more listeners can come in–people of color in the U.S., kids and family, and other continents like Africa. That’s the reason why you need that strategy. The only way you’re going to grow podcasting in general is if more people start to create outside this continent.” - Anthony Frasier, Create Your Life Series, #196
“If you want to craft an Africa strategy, you need Africans. A lot of times Africans are not the ones telling our own stories, and that has to change. We need to be a part of the development strategy for the things that affect us. If it’s about me, it needs to include me.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #196
“I think it’s important to be an advocate, to be an ally, to a lot of the people who are already on the ground creating content.” - Anthony Frasier, Create Your Life Series, #196
“More is more. We need more visibility, we need more press, we need more money, we need more resources, we need more people speaking, yelling, talking about Africa–especially when we’re not in the room. We need more being curious, reaching out to people on the ground, and making sure we’re taking up space.” - Molly Jensen, Create Your Life Series, #196
“There is no better opportunity at this point than Africa. If you’re looking for content, it has to come from Africa. Everyone is under 19 years old. There needs to be a shift into what’s happening with Black people. Fundamentally I think Black women, Black American women, are the curators of culture, and I think Black women need to get more credit for that. The entire Black experience is not seeing the value they create financially, and that’s exploitation. Exploitation is not capturing the value you create, so making sure that African creators are getting paid the same in bringing stories to the forefront. … We cannot take a piece of the pie right now; we need the pie to get bigger.” - Molly Jensen, Create Your Life Series, #196

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: Kevin Y Brown

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Dan Aceda

Website: Dan Aceda

Website: SemaBOX

Website: Studio Tisa

Website: DADA Incubator

Instagram: danaceda

YouTube: 1mwarabu

Twitter: Dan Aceda

Facebook: Dan Aceda Music

LinkedIn: Dan Aceda

Kim Fox

Tilda: Kim Fox

Instagram: ohradiogirl

Instagram: PodFest Cairo

Facebook: PodFest Cairo

Twitter: KimFoxWOSU

Podcast: Ehky Ya Masr

Molly Jensen

Website: Afripods

LinkedIn: Molly Jensen

Twitter: mj_acosua

Anthony Frasier

Website: ABF Creative

LinkedIn: Anthony Frasier

Instagram: anthonyfrasier

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Stitcher, Afripods, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 195: Africa X Podcasting - Keeping It In The Family, Keys To Managing Relationships For Podcast Business Growth with Gavin Kennedy Jul 31, 2023

Episode Summary

In this week’s episode of the Africa X series, Kevin is joined by Gavin Kennedy, a pioneer of podcasting in South Africa whose company, Solid Gold Podcasts, was one of the first podcasting studios on the Continent. Solid Gold is a family company that produces podcasts for over 100 clients from hobbyists to corporations to the United Nations, communicating serious messages to women and young girls in Africa and the challenges they face. He shares his wisdom on starting out in a newly developing industry and the challenges and risks that come with experimentation, how life coaching has helped him in running a successful business and working with his family, and the importance of always having something in the pipeline that you can wake up and feel excited about. Listen in to learn more about how as a leader you can help foster creativity and motivation and create your own best life.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.

Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…

Gavin Kennedy

Gavin Kennedy is the founder of Solid Gold Podcasts, a podcast and audiobook production company that has 11 studios, a team of professional creators, and produces over 100 podcasts and growing. Gavin comes from a family of entrepreneurs and has always worked in one of his family’s businesses before branching off and starting his own, including video and audio post-production (The Wave Factory Facilities), running radio stations (Solid Gold FM), and television broadcasting (SABC, MNET, Soweto TV). Along the way he was certified as a Life Coach which has helped clarify thinking and strategy for himself and his clients when he launched the Solid Gold Podcasts production company. Gavin is dedicated to helping people Be Heard and share their stories, and his love for the industry is evident across the work he does everyday. "It doesn't matter how many people you reach, but that you reach the people who matter." - Gavin Kennedy

Insights From the Episode

The challenges and the benefits of being the first in a space, taking on the risk but also having room to experiment
Recognizing where your strengths lie and when it makes sense to delegate tasks to others who have those strengths
How to keep business and personal relationships separate when you’re working in a family business
Fostering a creative and supportive work environment
How to navigate challenges when dealing with difficult clients
The key to staying motivated when you’re starting out in a new venture
Tips for focusing on how you can be happy even when everything isn’t perfect

Quotes from the Show

“There’s a niche for everybody. No matter what you talk about, there’s going to be somebody. They say that if you’re one in a million, there’s 7000 of you on the planet. That’s quite a number, so you should be able to find your tribe.“ - Gavin Kennedy, Create Your Life Series, #195
“We are trying very hard not to sell a commodity; for us it’s about a relationship. In technical terms, anybody can make a podcast. The barriers to entry are so ridiculously low that if you get into a commodity/price war it’s just a race to the bottom. We’re trying to make it easy for clients to make a podcast.” - Gavin Kennedy, Create Your Life Series, #195
“You should be doing your thing three hours a day, whatever you’re curious about or interested in. If you do something for three hours a day for a month, that’s 90 hours. If you do that for a year, it’s 1000 hours.” - Gavin Kennedy, Create Your Life Series, #195
“When you’re hiring people, you’re really hiring for how they are going to be in the operation of the business, not what did they do. The interview is about clues to who they might be, but you really want to watch them in operation. You want to see them thriving; you want to see them happy; you want to see them enjoying stuff. How can you do what needs to be done while feeling and looking and being excited that way? I don’t want to make anybody come to work who doesn’t want to be there. You have tough days, but it’s realizing that you’re working with somebody to create something. You’re an integral part of capturing what somebody is trying to say and share, and that’s the most fundamental thing.” - Gavin Kennedy, Create Your Life Series, #195
On working with difficult people: “Sometimes it’s about managing the relationship more than the work. People come to you because you’re an expert; you don’t need to demonstrate and beat them with your expertise, you just need to do good work.” - Gavin Kennedy, Create Your Life Series, #195
“I think the most important thing that creative people forget is that if you try and protect and constrain and limit people using your creativity, you stop growing and being creative. The more you are creative, the more creativity will bubble out of you. You’re not going to use it all up. So if you do something and somebody copies you, it’s pointless being resentful–be creative again. It will come again. Creativity breeds creativity–you’re never going to use it all up, so don’t get stuck by holding on to your past best work.” - Gavin Kennedy, Create Your Life Series, #195
“The art of mentoring is about shutting up more and asking good questions. You might know the answer to the question, and you might be surprised by the answer or part of the answer that you didn’t know that the mentee does know because of their age or experiences. If someone comes and asks, ‘where should I host my podcast?’, I’m not just going to say you should host it there; it’s going to be a series of questions–tell me more about the podcast, where are you going, what are you trying to do, what’s your budget–a range of questions that lead to the revelation of an answer as opposed to ‘well I’ve been doing this for longer than you, I’m going to prescribe what the answer is.” - Gavin Kennedy, Create Your Life Series, #195
“You have to have a goal. If you aren’t heading towards something, you’re just ambling around. The clearer the goal is, the easier it is to move in that direction. But even if the goal isn’t crystal clear, at least you should be pointing in the direction.” - Gavin Kennedy, Create Your Life Series, #195
“Describe things as you want them, not as you don’t want them… If you’re thinking about what you don’t want to do, you’re cluttering your path with things that are obstructing you.” - Gavin Kennedy, Create Your Life Series, #195
“Reading and writing is about taking the spoken word and not losing it. If 50,000 years ago we were able to record the spoken word, would we have evolved language as much as we did? We learned to read and write so that we could capture what we were saying and not lose it, and now we are actually able to record what we’re saying and not lose it. I think we’re going to revert to the mean, which is spoken word, and there are going to be a lot more creative manifestations of it.” - Gavin Kennedy, Create Your Life Series, #195
“You get ‘and’ and ‘or’ views to the world. If I ask you what makes you sad, what you’ll tend to do is list a couple of things and say ‘this makes me sad or this makes me sad or this makes me sad’, and if I ask you what makes you happy, you’ll say ‘this makes me happy and this makes me happy and this makes me happy.’ By making something an and, you make it cumulative–they all have to be in place for you to be happy, and you’re making it harder for you to be happy than to be sad. If my dog dies, I’m sad. If I get a new puppy and if I’ve got a job and if I see my friends, I’m happy. You have to put all three of those things together to be happy, and we do this subconsciously. We should just take the win–I got a new puppy, I’m happy. And vs. or. The and is going to make your life challenging.” - Gavin Kennedy, Create Your Life Series, #195
“I’m really into people’s work ethic and the way that their mind works. I get fascinated with the people around me and the way that they think. I’m really interested in people’s work ethics and their processes.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #195

Resources Mentioned

Rode tech - RodeCaster Pro II, NT-U mikes, Wireless GO mikes
Entrepreneurs on Fire podcast
Inside the Vault with Ash Cash podcast
Earn Your Leisure podcast
Talking Thrones YouTube channel

Favorite Book

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

The Covenantby James A. Michener

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason

Favorite Quote

“To be understood, you must first be heard.” - Solid Gold Podcasts motto

3 Keys to Create Your Best Life

Trust yourself.
Have a purposeful, meaningful destination.
Take people with you. Have fun with people along that journey.

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: Kevin Y Brown

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Gavin Kennedy

Website: Solid Gold Podcasts

Email: Gavin Kennedy

LinkedIn: Gavin Kennedy

Instagram: Solid Gold Podcasts

Facebook: Solid Gold Podcast Studios

Twitter: Solid Gold Pods

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Stitcher, Afripods, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 194: Africa X Podcasting - Hurry Up Slowly; The Past, Present and Future of African Podcasting with Tony Doe Jul 24, 2023

Episode Summary

This week Kevin is joined by Tony Doe, a veteran radio and podcast consultant with years of experience, both behind the scenes for multi-format radio stations and on-air as the face and voice behind the Tony Doe podcast. He is also a featured voice artist on the Africa X theme intro! With his experience, Tony gives back to the community through his work in promoting other podcasts and curating an industry newsletter and podcast called Podcast Related, which provides insightful commentary and analysis on the latest happenings in the Podverse. Kevin and Tony discuss how we can support and amplify the voices of others in the podcasting community, the power in taking on different perspectives and sharing your own, and Tony gets an update on Kevin’s progress in immersing himself in the football fandom through his 2 plus years of living in Kenya.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.

Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…

Tony Doe

Tony Doe is a Radio and Podcast Consultant, out of Lagos, Nigeria who has dedicated his expertise to shaping and supporting the growth of podcasts in Nigeria and beyond. As the Country Representative for APVA in Nigeria, he is committed to championing African voice talents, including podcasters, voice-over artists, spoken word artists, poets, and more. His goal is to provide these unique voices with the recognition and attention they deserve. Tony hosts his own successful podcast, “The Tony Doe Podcast,” as well as curates the informative podcast industry newsletter/podcast, "Podcast Related.” Through these endeavors, he actively contributes to the knowledge-sharing and growth of the podcasting community. His audio series, "Into The Podverse," delves into the latest innovations, challenges, and opportunities for podcasters, with a particular focus on the African perspective. The show features exclusive interviews with influential figures in the podverse, providing valuable insights and expertise to elevate the voices and experiences of the podcasting community.

Insights From the Episode

Tips for getting into voice artistry and podcasting in today’s podcasting ecosystem
Balancing ambition with enjoying life and giving time to the people you love
The importance of being vulnerable and asking for help when you need it
How to navigate negative perceptions from people who don’t understand what you’re doing
Learning to recognize when to push through challenges and when to let something go
The importance of not just projecting self-confidence, but feeling that confidence from within

Quotes from the Show

“For everything I think I know I’m doing, I’m actually just winging it but God knows the rest. For everything I think I’m empowered to do, my strong faith base helps me deal with these things a little better. I think the key is to make up your mind to enjoy life.” - Tony Doe, Create Your Life Series, #194
“What you declare over yourself consistently ends up playing a big part in how your life plays out.” - Tony Doe, Create Your Life Series, #194
“We have stories to tell; we have talented people who have worldviews that need to be heard. For the longest time we’ve had to depend on what the west thought of us. They come in here, they see what you’re thinking and then they shape it into what they want it to be. It’s good to have a platform where the authentic stories can be told by the originators.” - Tony Doe, Create Your Life Series, #194
“I feel like creators here are on another level of innovation. When you’re coming from a non-established market or industry, there’s room for you to just create. You might be creating something amazing and you might not even be aware of it, and I think we are definitely seeing that with the African creators.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #194
“Know your ‘why’ because whatever you face going forward, you’ll go back to your ‘why’ and that will help you determine whether you’re on the right path or not.” - Tony Doe, Create Your Life Series, #194
“There is always room for adaptation and that’s the beauty of this medium. Everything is changing, but people are changing as well and some people who are changing are changing at a rate that they can take other people along and help them not get lost.” - Tony Doe, Create Your Life Series, #194
“I love podcasting. I love the culture, I love the ecosystem, and when you’re passionate about something, you’re going to be consistent with it. The passion even supersedes the consistency. You have to love it first to be consistent. It has to have a reward, and the reward is that it makes me feel good.” - Tony Doe, Create Your Life Series, #194
“When you have a different perspective, especially one that’s complimentary to what you do, you begin to become a bit more vulnerable because you know that the end goal is something much better.” - Tony Doe, Create Your Life Series, #194

Resources Mentioned

Afripods, a platform for African podcast creators
Podcast Related newsletter

Favorite Book

Maximizing Your Potential by Myles Munroe

In the Meantime: Finding Yourself and the Love You Wantby Iyanla Vanzant

Favorite Quote

“Hurry up slowly.” (Something his dad would tell him, meaning to be patient.)

3 Keys to Create Your Best Life

Be true to yourself. Be authentic.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Be of value to others. Be ready to offer value for what you want.

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: Kevin Y Brown

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Tony Doe

LinkedIn: Tony Doe

Instagram: tonydoemedia

Facebook: Tony Doe

Twitter: Tony Doe Media

Podcast: The Tony Doe Podcast

Newsletter: Podcast Related

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Stitcher, Afripods, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 193: Africa X Podcasting - Strategies For Amplifiying African Voices with APVA’s Founder Bidemi Adedire Jul 17, 2023

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Africa X series Kevin Y. Brown speaks with Bidemi Adedire, the founder of the Association of African Podcasters and Voice Artists (APVA), on her passion behind the foundation and growth of a community-driven organization to amplify and celebrate the diversity of African voices and create opportunities for African creatives. As a Communications and Idea Strategist and Marketing Automation enthusiast, Bidemi has always been someone who loves to think outside of the box and come up with ideas. An avid podcaster herself, she was looking for a community and saw a need for accessible home-grown resources for African podcasters and voice artists which led to her taking a lead in bringing this community together. In 2022 they hosted one of their first major events, the APVA awards, which drew in 2200 nominations and 70,000 votes while showcasing growing talent and bringing attention to the potential of the African podcasting industry. Bidemi and Kevin discuss how to turn ideas and passion into action, the many forms of generosity that strengthen a community, and dreams about how podcasting can evolve in the future.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin is the Chief Content officer and Head of Strategy at Afripods leading their multi-country strategy and product vision.

Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…

Bidemi Adedire

Bidemi Adedire is a Communications Expert, Idea Strategist and Marketing Automation enthusiast, crazy about discovery and constantly excited at the thought of learning new things. She is a passionate podcaster and adolescent health advocate, making every effort to promote both industries. Impact is everything! Bidemi is the founder of the Association of African Podcasters and Voice Artists which amplifies the voices of podcasters, voice artists, and spoken word artists through events and creating opportunities for African creatives. Her personal mantra is, “challenges are opportunities for growth and reskilling.”

Insights From the Episode

The current resources we have that cater to the needs of African creatives
How important it is to document our stories and why podcasts are an ideal way to share them
Keys to balancing your goals when you have multiple projects you’re working on
How to keep the passion for your work going and avoid burnout
The role of mentorship and learning from others who can share their experience
Thoughts on the future of podcasting in Nigeria and Africa as a whole
Tips for setting up a group to keep you accountable to your goals

Quotes from the Show

“I love ideas. I’m an ideas person, but I also like to test ideas. For me, passion is also key; it’s the thing that keeps us going. If I’m talking about the challenges of APVA, I also wake up every day and the first thing I think about is APVA, so it’s important that I don’t start something and get tired of it. When I put it in writing I realize there’s a lot we can do, so right now the excitement is that what we have is amazing, but there’s a lot more to achieve. Because I am looking forward to seeing these things come to pass, I keep myself energized and I want to see APVA become the community I envisioned.” - Bidemi Adedire, Create Your Life Series, #193
“We have seen that as the result of the surge in wanting to share our narratives, we are shifting what people think about Africa.” - Bidemi Adedire, Create Your Life Series, #193
“Philanthropy in the Global North is different than in the Global South in Africa where it’s ingrained in our culture. Because it’s in our culture, it’s in our everyday lives, we don’t see the reason to be intentional about documenting these things, so it begins to look like philanthropy doesn’t really exist or has been taught to Africans. With podcasts, it gives us that opportunity to document our stories.” - Bidemi Adedire, Create Your Life Series, #193
“We want to create a space where every audio creative feels like a celebrity… we want to tell Africans that what they are doing matters, that what they are doing is important, and encourage them so they do not stop doing what they do. Burnout is real, and sometimes when you feel like no one is listening you might want to stop talking. APVA is here to encourage everyone to keep up what they do and create a connection point for potential sponsors and collaboration. This can only be possible when we have a structure in place, and this is what APVA is here for.” - Bidemi Adedire, Create Your Life Series, #193
“I believe in what we want to do, and I try to manifest what we want to achieve.” - Bidemi Adedire, Create Your Life Series, #193
“One of the things I love is how we’re so communal and collaborative across the industry, across the continent. I think it also gives us the opportunity to learn from each other.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #193
“Giving up is not a part of me. I know that there are going to be challenges, so I always take on projects with the mind of ‘come rain, come sunshine, this is happening.’ When it looks like we’ve hit a dead end, I just think of another way. There is always an alternative way of achieving something, so I do not quit. I don’t start what I can’t finish.” - Bidemi Adedire, Create Your Life Series, #193
“I’m looking forward to the time when podcasting will be an actual industry for people to select on forms, when people can say ‘I’m a full-time podcaster.’ That’s the future.” - Bidemi Adedire, Create Your Life Series, #193
“There are so many different types of generosity. I have some friends who are super generous with knowledge. I have another friend who’s just a very kind person; she’s someone I can always call on, so I think that’s a way of being generous. Even when people offer you grace in order to grow; people who give you feedback to become someone better or even course-correct or course-accelerate. I think that’s generous because a lot of times people can just be quiet and let you go on at the pace you are, but when people offer you feedback or advice I look at that as generosity. My grandmother, who’s turning 99 in a couple of weeks, is generous for the way she’s always so welcoming and warm. You’re being generous with me by giving me your time. I’m surrounded by generosity.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #193

Resources Mentioned

Association of African Podcasters and Voice Artists (APVA)
Afripods
Africa PodFest
Asana (project management tool)

Favorite Book

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

Favorite Quote

“Ideas and creativity rule the world.” – Bidemi Adedire

3 Keys to Create Your Best Life

Go for it.
Be consistent.
Impact your little corner one step at a time. Before you know it, you’ve impacted the world.

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

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Kevin Y. Brown

Website: Kevin Y Brown

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Bidemi Adedire

LinkedIn: Bidemi Adedire

Email: Bidemi Adedire

Facebook: Bidemi Adedire

Instagram: adedirebidemii

Twitter: adeirebidemii

YouTube: The Smile Outreach

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Stitcher, Afripods, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 192: Africa X Podcasting - Secrets to Growing Your Podcast and Community in Africa with Gathoni Ngumba Jul 10, 2023

Episode Summary

Kevin continues the Africa X series focused on conversations with experts from Africa, in Africa, about Africa by speaking with Gathoni Ngumba, the community manager at Afripods. Afripods is a platform built to distribute African stories and support African creators, and Gathoni speaks on her role in fostering a space that unites creators in Africa and sets standards for how they will be treated and paid fairly for their work. She shares how she got started in the podcast industry, the podcast she records with her sisters, Okay Kiasi, and tips for building not just an audience but a community. Gathoni and Kevin discuss the importance of stories in helping us learn as a people and grow, allowing for the space to turn folk tales into something more real and tangible in its effects on the people who have experienced them, and telling our own stories so that we can shine on our terms, in our space.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin leads Afripods’ multi-country strategy and product vision.

Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…

Gathoni Ngumba

Gathoni Ngumba is a Kenyan native and community builder in the African podcasting community. She is a social media consultant, event manager, and the community manager at Afripods, a distribution network focused on creating spaces for African podcasters to connect and grow the African podcasting ecosystem. Gathoni is a journalist and co-host of the Okay Kiasi podcast with her two sisters, sharing their experiences and perspectives on various topics such as period stigma, body image, and parenthood as siblings from a blended family. She believes that Africa's stories should be told by the people who know them best, and is proud to be on the panel of judges for the 2023 African Podcasts and Voices Awards.

Insights From the Episode

Thoughts on what is unique about podcasting in Africa, how the industry has changed, and the future of the podcasting industry in Africa
Why it’s important for Africans to tell their own stories
Learning about stories like the Mau Mau movement from the people who were involved
Strategies for new podcasters looking to grow their community
The role of mentorship (or friendtorship) in the success of the African podcast industry, and the value of sharing support and resources with each other
Strategies for surrounding yourself with right people who will help support your personal growth and call you out when you need it
Methods for goal-setting and growth

Quotes from the Show

“I feel like podcasting is a space where we have figured out how people in South Africa, Egypt, West Africa, East Africa are finding a way to build the ecosystem together. There’s a lot of collaboration that I feel is not necessarily typical in a lot of spaces, and it’s really exciting to see it happen.” - Gathoni Ngumba, Create Your Life Series, #192
“I think there’s such potential for the growth of the industry. Not only podcasting, but for storytellers and creators on the African continent.” - Gathoni Ngumba, Create Your Life Series, #192
“Africa’s stories should be told by the people who know her best, which is the Africans. I feel like for a long time we have been told our story; we have been told our narrative. The world has decided who we are, and then it’s been fed to us. For the first time it’s a chance for us to take control of the narrative.” - Gathoni Ngumba, Create Your Life Series, #192
“I feel like podcasting on the Continent is a way to preserve traditions, languages, stories, and history in an authentic way so that the future generation can still have an authentic African experience no matter where they move, by being able to rely on history told by those whose history it is.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #192
“If you’re not able to put in who you are as a person I feel like you’ll have a problem building community because a lot of the community in the podcast will be attached to who you are, so authenticity is very important.” - Gathoni Ngumba, Create Your Life Series, #192
“Podcasting has the ability to be the thing that unites us because we are uniting on storytelling, which is the one thing that is absolutely African. As an African it doesn’t matter which part of the continent that you’re on; storytelling is your thing.” - Gathoni Ngumba, Create Your Life Series, #192
“I think the beautiful part about being collaborative is that we’re also open to other people’s feedback so there’s a chance to course-correct and be open to being wrong and being able to pivot to be able to do things that are in the best interest of the greater African podcasting community.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #192
“A lot of times we’ve been taught that mistakes are bad, so it’s about reminding myself that it’s okay to make a mistake. I’ve learned to look back and the one thing I thought was such a giant mistake a long time ago, it’s not that big of a deal now.” - Gathoni Ngumba, Create Your Life Series, #192
“I want to create a space that makes Africans understand their worth, know that they’re worthy, and take up that space. I want to see Africans take up the space that is ours.” - Gathoni Ngumba, Create Your Life Series, #192
“I’ve allowed myself to give people space in understanding that people project, and sometimes what they have going on has nothing to do with you.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #192
“[About overcoming mistakes] So is just like in this moment it seems like giant, but in two weeks when you look back on it, it wouldn’t be that big. So, think two weeks ahead and come back and then it’s small now and then you can continue.” - Gathoni Ngumba, Create Your Life Series, #192

Resources Mentioned

Canva for creating images for social media

Favorite Book

The Big Leapby Gay Hendricks

Favorite Quote

“'It is never too late to be what you might have been.” - George Eliot

3 Keys to Create Your Best Life

Know yourself.
Love yourself.
Surround yourself with people who know and love you.

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: Kevin Y Brown

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Gathoni Ngumba

LinkedIn: Gathoni Ngumba

Website: AfriPods

Facebook: AfriPods

Instagram: podcastinginafrica

Podcast: okaykiasi

Podcast Instagram: okaykiasi

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Stitcher, Afripods, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 191: Africa X Podcasting - Redefining Her Lane with Adelle Onyango Jul 03, 2023

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Africa X series, Kevin is joined by Adelle Onyango in Kenya to discuss her journey to becoming one of OkayAfrica’s 100 Extraordinary African Women. She talks about why and how she transitioned from being a popular primetime radio host to launching her own podcast, Legally Clueless, amplifying African stories about business, relationships, and grief, but also the places where these stories take place. Adelle shares what she wishes she knew before launching one of Spotify’s most listened-to podcasts of 2021, tips for new podcasters, and thoughts on the future of podcasting in Kenya and Africa as a whole. She talks about her co-written book, On Broken Silence, which holds the stories of survivors of sexual violence from the Greater East African region, and the creation of the Adelle Onyango Initiative to provide programming and group therapy for survivors. Kevin and Adelle discuss the mindset of continual learning and staying humble even if you have years of experience, feeling comfortable being yourself (and the cost of doing otherwise), and how to be an active citizen.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin leads Afripods’ multi-country strategy and product vision.

Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…

Adelle Onyango

Adelle Onyango has over 10 years experience in the radio industry. She begun as a drive show host on 1FM where she was instrumental in bringing in a digital arch to the Kenyan radio scene.

Adelle then moved to Kenya's top media house; Radio Africa Group as a presenter on their radio station, KissFM. She hosted the mid-morning show and created a show dedicated exclusively to African music which was a first of its kind on the station. She later moved to host their prime breakfast show until June 2019.

During her time on the KissFM breakfast show it was the 3rd most listened to show in Kenya. She then left to start her new media company, Legally Clueless Africa.

Adelle is a Kenyan businesswoman, author, award winning podcaster, one of OkayAfrica’s 100 Extraordinary African Women, and also one of the BBC’s 100 Inspirational and Innovative Women in the World. She is on a mission to impact and empower women globally.

Insights From the Episode

How to notice when you’re in a toxic space, get out of it, and move forward
Insights on what it means to be a woman working in the media industry
Tips for new podcasters for creating a sustainable business and an engaging podcast
How to reduce the noise in your life and follow your intuition
Strategies for dealing with negative feedback and sorting out constructive criticism
Tips for setting goals and following through on them

Quotes From the Show

On the purpose of her podcast, Legally Clueless: “Everybody has a story, and if you look at Africans, storytelling and really having that oral connection has been part of our culture for eons.” - Adelle Onyango, Create Your Life Series, Episode #191
On leaving her job and branching out on her own: “Was I scared? Absolutely, but I just feel that there’s no point where you’ll ever be free of fear. You just don’t let the fear win.” - Adelle Onyango, Create Your Life Series, Episode #191
On creating a podcast: “Preparation makes life so much easier and it also helps you to run a system and something that can sustain.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, Episode #191
On the framework that has helped her launch a successful podcast: “Figure out your brand heart. That’s made up of your vision, your mission, your values, and your purpose. Your vision is your ideal world and what you are trying to create in your ideal world. Your mission is what you’re going to do repeatedly every single day to try and actualize that vision. The purpose is your why–why do you exist? And your values should be about 3-5, and it’s the things that you stand for.” - Adelle Onyango, Create Your Life Series, Episode #191
“We all have to be active citizens… I’ve been told I’m an activist, but I call myself an active citizen. Just by you being alive and in this moment, you have a responsibility–and a right!–to speak up on issues that are not going right. … Why are we not stepping into our responsibility as active citizens and demanding better for ourselves?” - Adelle Onyango, Create Your Life Series, Episode #191
“I think it’s very expensive to try to fit in. Expensive because it costs you yourself.” - Adelle Onyango, Create Your Life Series, Episode #191
On telling African stories: “On a continental level, we’ve always had our power stripped from us. We’re really just coming into our power in different industries, and why media is so important (like podcasting) is we get to tell our own stories, talk about our own topics that affect us from our lens without waiting for somebody with a skewed lens or an ignorant lens to do that for us.” - Adelle Onyango, Create Your Life Series, Episode #191
On his experience growing up in foster care: “I still take that attitude of always being a student, understanding that sometimes people will be there for you but a lot of times you’re going to have to keep going by yourself. …If I end up somewhere by myself, I’m okay because I understand the things that matter and how to navigate the world.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, Episode #191

Resources Mentioned

Legally Clueless podcast
Our Broken Silenceby Lanji Ouko-Awori and Adelle Onyango
The Adelle Onyango Initiative
Daughter of Africa by Gina Din
The Kenyan Breast Health Program
Ushuru.co.ke tax services for freelancers and small businesses

Favorite Book

The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck by Mark Manson

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives by Lola Shoneyin

Favorite Quote

Favorite word: Expand
“I need to go through experiences that expand me.” - Adelle Onyango, Create Your Life Series, Episode #191

3 Keys to Create Your Best Life

You do not have to explain yourself to anybody.
Get rid of all the noise in your life. To live your best life, you have to hear yourself tell you what that looks like.
Nobody knows what they are doing, so extend grace to yourself. Speak to yourself as you would a lover.

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

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Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Adelle Onyango

Website: adelleonyango.com

Instagram: adelleonyango

Twitter: adelleo

Facebook: adelleonyango

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 190: Africa X Podcasting - Pioneering the Kenyan Podcast Journeys with Dan Aceda & Doris Onyango Jun 26, 2023

Episode Summary

In this episode host Kevin Y. Brown is joined by Dan Aceda and Doris Onyango of SemaBOX. SemaBOX is a podcasting studio that began as a podcasting incubator. In the past year there have been over 600 episodes produced through SemaBOX. Dan and Doris provide a wealth of knowledge and resources centered around the history and culture of podcasting in Africa. Please join Kevin in learning more about these two amazing individuals and how they have been able to influence and advance the podcasting industry in Africa.

About Our Guests

Dan Aceda is a Kenyan musician and entrepreneur. He is one of the founders of SemaBOX.

Doris Onyango is the program lead at DADA Podcast Incubator and a recording engineer at SemaBOX. She also doubles in other areas such as program management, communication, administration, and events management.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin leads Afripods’ multi-country strategy and product vision.

Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine and many more…

Insights From the Episode

Insights into SemaBOX
Insights into the DADA Podcast Incubator
Strategies for using SemaBOX and DADA for podcasters
Strategies to work seamlessly with partners
Secrets to navigating challenges with difficult clients or people you work with
Insights on how mentorship can help your success
Strategies to stay motivated when starting out
Secrets to dealing with negative feedback
Secrets to goal setting and making personal growth
Strategies to overcoming challenges
Secrets to making your business run smoothly

Quotes from the show

“We are very open. We are pretty genre agnostic. We are gonna support you no matter what your content vision is.” -Dan Aceda, CYLS, #190
“The Dada Podcast Incubator is to position women storytellers in Africa.” -Doris Onyango, CYLS, #190
“You all are doing good work in order to give voices to people who need to be heard from their perspective.” -Kevin Y. Brown, CYLS, #190
“I think that’s the biggest challenge of the media landscape. In this part of the world, the person with the biggest microphone tends to win. So in this part of the world it’s politicians.” -Dan Aceda, CYLS, #190
“It feels like podcasting is like you’re just shouting out into the ether, but there is someone out there who’s listening.” -Doris Onyango, CYLS, #190
“There’s you the person, and there’s you the job. Take yourself out of the job and just look at the job.” -Doris Onyango, CYLS, #190
“Podcasting as a space is very brand new, if someone says they are an expert in podcasting, they’re lying. In this ecosystem of ours it’s brand new.” -Doris Onyango, CYLS, #190
“It’s okay to make a mistake and go through the learning. But it’s really important that the person you’re working with is willing to allow you room to learn.” -Dan Aceda, CYLS, #190
“Forget perfection. Get better every day.” -Dan Aceda, CYLS, #190

Resources Mentioned

https://semabox.net/

Fikradhaxaliye Podcast

Favorite Book

Animal Farm by George Orwell -Doris Onyango, CYLS, #190
Shoe Dog: By the Creator of Nikeby Phil Knight -Dan Aceda, CYLS, #190

Favorite Quote

“You cannot buy a dog and bite yourself.” -Doris Onyango, CYLS, #190
“In the end, you will win. If you are not winning, it is not the end.” -Dan Aceda, CYLS, #190

3 Keys to create your best life

Doris

Try, try, try, and try again.
Find your family.
Do what you can with what you have.

Dan

Forget perfection.
Get better every day.
Have no fear.

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

SemaBOX

Twitter: semabox

Instagram: semabox

Facebook: semabox

Website: https://semabox.net/

Doris Onyango

Twitter: dorisonyango

Dan Aceda

Twitter: danaceda

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 189: Introducing Africa X Jun 20, 2023

Episode Summary

In this introductory episode your host, Kevin Y Brown, returns to the Create Your Life Series after some time off. He discusses his move to Kenya, his continued dedication to providing value and resources for his listeners, as well as his shift into all aspects of podcast creation. Kevin introduces Africa X, a series dedicated to highlighting conversations and experiences with experts across different industries who are from Africa, live in Africa, and can talk about Africa responsibly.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin is a seasoned multi-media executive who is passionate about Africa’s digital future. As an award winning entrepreneur, podcast producer (over 1,000 episodes across different genres with over 30 million downloads across clients) and tech veteran, Kevin leads Afripods’ multi-country strategy and product vision.

Kevin is the host of the Create Your Life Series podcast and has been featured or spoken in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Essence, Podcast Movement, Podcast Sessions, Ted X, Sirius XM, Inc. magazine, and many more…

Insight from this episode

Kevin’s return to the Create Your Life Series
Podcasting requires a lot, especially when doing it outside your country and culture
Introducing the series Africa X
Amazing and talented people who live in Africa will contribute to Africa X
Strategies from trailblazers to follow their footsteps

Quotes from the Show

“Working in the business of Podcasting requires a lot. And so does doing it outside of your native country and culture.” -Kevin Y. Brown, CYLS, Episode #189
“But Create Your Life fam, I want you to know I have never forgotten about you. I actually miss you dearly.” -Kevin Y. Brown, CYLS, Episode #189
“You know the Create Your Life Series is only for self-starters who are looking to live life on their own terms.” -Kevin Y. Brown, CYLS, Episode #189
“I have had the fortunate opportunity to rub shoulders and converse with so many amazing, talented people on the continent of Africa.” -Kevin Y. Brown, CYLS, Episode #189
“Keeping up with the standard that we have built with the Create Your Life Series over these last seven years, you can be sure that Africa X will provide you with the same great strategies behind the success of today’s trailblazers by uncovering experiences, daily habits, and defining moments of high achievers.” -Kevin Y. Brown, CYLS, Episode #189

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 188: The Return Aug 02, 2022

Episode Summary

On his adventure to explore Africa, Kevin Y Brown gives his experience traveling in Africa and how he discovered the young market of podcasting on the continent. He highlights the lessons he learned from visiting six countries on the continent and how it has impacted his life. In this episode, Kevin discusses landing a job at Afridpods as the Chief Content Officer and Head Of Strategy and what to expect from CYLS.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author. The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free. Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan. Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Insights from this episode:

Kevin’s experience in Africa
Kevin’s curiosity about podcasting in Africa
How his trip to Africa impacted him
Kevin’s transition from an entrepreneurship to office culture
Kevin’s move to Kenya and getting recruited to work at Afripods

Quotes from the show:

“I knew there was an opportunity on the continent, and I understood the importance of podcasting and what it could do in order to preserve the language, the traditions, and customs for people on the continent” –Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #188
“I had the opportunity to see the lineage of black excellence, and culture in all these different countries: unity, family ties, and so much more” –Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #188
“I had to learn that people don’t work around the clock 24/7 like I had been doing” –Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #188
“I knew that I saw an opportunity and I needed to get back to Africa, but I just didn’t know how” –Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #188
“Living in Africa definitely has its pros and cons, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons, and I am very thankful” –Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #188
“Staying focused, staying true to myself always really helped me and has been a true North even when it seems like things are blurry” –Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #188

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 187: Guest Episode - The Origins Of My Podcasters Journey Dec 22, 2020

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Create Your Life Series, Kevin is a guest on Afros & Audios IGTV, where he talks with Talib Jasir about why he made the leap into podcasting and how his experience in other industries laid a foundation for his podcast success. This uplifting interview on personal evolution and being committed to excellence will inspire you to keep making the hard choices that will bring the success and happiness we are all seeking.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author. The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free. Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan. Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Talib Jasir

Talib Jasir is a storyteller, author, podcast producer, and advocate for the people and their collective power.

Born a twin in Baltimore, MD, he spent his earliest years traversing the backwoods of Maryland’s Eastern Shore under the guardianship of his Great Grandmother. Reared by a village of irrepressible folk, he learned the paramountcy of kinship, love, and the dynamism of language.

Talib is a creative entrepreneur with over 15 years of professional experience in marketing and advertising. Founder of the Afros & Audio Podcast Festival and the Vanguard Podcast Network, he is also a dual-certified Life Coach with a focus on supporting creatives, podcast creators, and entrepreneurs. Talib received his BA in Public Policy/Urban Studies, Africana Studies and Social Justice (Summa Cum Laude) from St. Peter’s University in Jersey City, NJ.

Insights from this episode:

Details on why Kevin started on a radio platform, how he built his catalog of shows to launch on SiriusXM, and how that led to starting Podcast Laundry.
Differences between being a creative person versus a business person and how to bring those two aspects together to succeed.
How to set goals and be intentional in achieving what you desire and the life that you want through personal work and personal evolution.
Difficulties Kevin experienced that helped him find a better way forward.
Benefits of using a podcast production company beyond just the technical aspects.
How to build and surround yourself with a community that provides support and opportunity for everyone.

Quotes from the show:

“You’ve got to think outside the box. If you have places that already have a large distribution network, this is just a way to increase your reach.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187
“I approached [podcasting] like a business from day one.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187
“Audio is a cornerstone. It is an opportunity to expand so far into different creative aspects.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #187
“These legal and small things like that make people come in and respect you and your show on another level and I think that helps to raise your bar.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187
“In order for you to get where you’re needing to go, you’re going to have to do your due diligence.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #187
“Sometimes the absence of expectation allows you to breed creativity.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187
“Personal work is what helps you maximize your potential in this lifetime.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187
“If you have thoughts that don’t serve or support you, then they don’t challenge you to do anything different.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #187
“Protect what you bring into your life … protect your peace.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187
“The only resource you can’t get back is your time.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187
“Community leads to opportunity.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187
“Business is cool but you’ve got to be human. You’ve got to want to see other people evolve.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #187
“As you manifest your vision, your vision starts to manifest you.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #187

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Talib Jasir

Website: talibjasir.com

Website: afrosandaudio.com

Instagram: @afrosandaudio

Instagram: @iamfwdmvmt

Facebook: Afros & Audio

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 186: Amplifying & Empowering the Latina Voice with Rita Bautista Dec 08, 2020

Episode Summary

What is the most important thing for a podcast to have? An audience. Rita Bautista not only found an audience for her own podcast, she also found an audience for a network of podcasts. In this episode of the Create Your Life Series, the creator of the Latina Podcasters Network tells Kevin that no matter what your approach is to podcasting, the most important thing is to get out of your own way and get started.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author. The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free. Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan. Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Rita Bautista

As founder and CEO of the Latina Podcasters Network, Bautista connects aspiring and established Mujeres Latinas and the Latinx community. She has been called a bold innovative thinker and cultural connector by her peers. She’s responsible for hosting the first Latina Podcasters meetup at any podcast convention.

Her passion and love for the podcasting industry came in 2019 when she launched her first podcast, Empowerment & All That. This podcast was dedicated solely to empowering women by delivering motivational interviews and episodes. Her desire to keep growing in the podcast community and finding cultural relevance was the driving force to develop Latina Podcasters Network.

Latina Podcasters is the first and only global podcast network committed solely to amplifying the voices of Latinas and Latinx mujeres.

Bautista is a graduate of the University of New Orleans and has over a decade of experience serving on civic and non-profit boards representing Latinx voices in education, government, business, and sports.

Insights from this episode:

Differences between Latino and LatinX, the necessity for the term, and how it gives space for everyone to be themselves.
Details on why Rita created the Latina Podcaster Network, the community it created, and the positive promotion of culture that has grown from the network.
Rita’s top tips for creating a great audio experience for listeners and how to build an audience.
Benefits that podcasting can provide such as a creative outlet, personal growth motivator, and bonus therapy.
How to navigate negative feedback, stay motivated, and overcome challenges.

Quotes from the show:

“I’m lucky. I think I’ve had the opportunity to live in some really dynamic and traditionally rich cities and then others, like Houston, that’s a commercial, thriving, business-development type city.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186
“I started my podcast because I wanted to begin to empower women and basically give back the message that I had been given.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186
On Rita’s experience starting a podcast: “It was like an additional layer to therapy.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186
“What’s beautiful about leaving something uncut is you can always go back to it and see your growth.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186
“We, fundamentally, are all pretty much the same on the inside.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186
“It’s really okay to start where you are. I think a lot of people are really afraid of getting started because they don’t have or they lack and having that lack mentality makes more lack.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186
“When you start the podcast, it’s for you, when you start the second episode, it’s no longer for you anymore.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186
On building community: “it’s always just being authentic because the more authentic and more real you are as a person, the more chances are your community is going to build faster.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186
“As much as people want to believe that our happiness belongs in somebody else, it really doesn’t.” – Rita Bautista, Episode #186
“We all have success amnesia, we forget how dope we are.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #186

Resources:

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedomby Don Miguel Ruiz

Favorite book:

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Favorite quote:

“Push yourself because nobody is gonna do it for you”

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Make your goal being happy
Love is a foundational emotion that we shouldn’t run from
Collaboration over competition

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Rita Bautista

Website: latinapodcasters.com

Podcast: Empowerment and All That

Instagram: @ritabautista

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 185: Project, Set, Achieve: Bringing Success into 2021 with Eric Fondren Nov 24, 2020

Episode Summary

Kevin continues his talks with Eric Fondren on how pivoting has benefited their businesses in 2020 and what other strategies they will use to bring success to 2021 including focusing on yourself to help manifest your goals. Eric talks about how his businesses have been performing and what he’s working on now and Kevin discusses the importance of projection when it comes to creating a stable and growing business. Discover how to create repeatable strategies for success, in this episode of the Create Your Life Series.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author. The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free. Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan. Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Eric Fondren

Eric Fondren is a mixed bag of skills that includes both hard and soft skills. After obtaining his computer science degree from Morehouse College, Eric spent 3 years on Wall Street learning why it's difficult for large companies to innovate. While working full-time, Eric also went on to obtain his Master's degree in professional counseling.

After his stint on Wall Street, Eric tried his hand with a number of ventures including web design, relationship coaching among other things. All of this experience showed him his true path, which was to build a technology company.

Today, as CEO of ITELLIO (originally branded as FreeATM) Eric has built a large-scale ad network that aggregates 9,000 digital screens into a central buying platform.

Insights from this episode:

Updates on Eric’s businesses and business development pipeline, as well as how COVID allowed his business to grow.
Details on how Eric is establishing himself as a brand of information using social media and with his new show, Pivot or Die.
Updates on Kevin’s businesses, how COVID tested and proved his business model, and his plans to generate more income streams within the same industry.
Benefits of using projection to predict business growth and trends and scale your business accordingly to meet those projections.
Benefits of using an accountability partner/coach, goal-setting, and other tools to help you stay on track and meet your goals.

Quotes from the show:

On Eric’s show: “[Pivot or Die] is all about the mistakes you can make as an entrepreneur and what you need to do to make the decisions that will lead to success.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #185
On being successful through the pandemic: “If you were selling a product that was ‘nice to have’ maybe you need to pivot into a ‘need to have’ scenario.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #185
On generating success: “I feel that is our best [asset], that we are really good at customer service.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #185
On the intangible aspects of running a business: “At the end of the day, money’s cool, it’s one thing, but people want to show up to a place where they actually feel welcome and taken care of.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #185
“You know the model; hire slow, fire fast.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #185
“I think I’m pretty adept at building an operation, creating a process, just starting the engine, and I’ve always known that I need to hire the right individuals to help me keep it running at full-steam.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #185
“Success is an ongoing thing.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #185
On the importance of having a business focus: “There’s only so many new things I can do at once before my creativity is dried up.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #185
On knowing when to make changes in your business: “It’s okay to not have the perfect answer, just know that you will make the decision when the time is right.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #185
“You need to take a chance and you need to really gamble on yourself and on the things that you always wanted to do.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #185

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Eric Fondren

Website: www.itellio.com

Email: info@itell.io

LinkedIn: Eric Fondren

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 184: Afros & Audio & Community Building with Talib Jasir Nov 10, 2020

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Create Your Life Series, Kevin talks with fellow podcaster Talib Jasir about the power and influence of community when it comes to creating not just a successful podcast but a podcast festival. Talib shares important lessons for potential podcasters or anyone who wants to start a creative endeavor. Listen in for details on the Afros & Audio Virtual Podcast Festival happening November 14th and 15th and to hear a preview of some of the events.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author. The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free. Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan. Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Talib Jasir

Talib Jasir is a storyteller, author, podcast producer, and advocate for the people and their collective power.

Born a twin in Baltimore, MD, he spent his earliest years traversing the backwoods of Maryland’s Eastern Shore under the guardianship of his Great Grandmother. Reared by a village of irrepressible folk, he learned the paramountcy of kinship, love, and the dynamism of language.

Talib is a creative entrepreneur with over 15 years of professional experience in marketing and advertising. Founder of the Afros & Audio Podcast Festival and the Vanguard Podcast Network, he is also a dual-certified Life Coach with a focus on supporting creatives, podcast creators, and entrepreneurs. Talib received his BA in Public Policy/Urban Studies, Africana Studies and Social Justice (Summa Cum Laude) from St. Peter’s University in Jersey City, NJ.

Insights from this episode:

Details on why Talib felt the need to create Afros & Audio podcast and how that has grown into a community and a festival.
Talib’s tips for building community around your podcast and how to avoid “pod fade.”
Benefits of mentorship and having a circle of support to help you achieve the goals you have set.
How to move beyond negative feedback using self-work and what you can gain from those conversations.
Difficulties creative people face and the importance of overcoming obstacles and yourself on your way to success.

Quotes from the show:

“It’s amazing to be a twin as an adult. It took us some time for us to understand the importance of one another.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184
On growing up in rural Maryland: “More than anything it shaped me into understanding what community looks like and feels like and so I keep that integrity with me everywhere that I go.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184
“A lot of us who create community are really seeking folks to connect with, hold us accountable, be able to support and gain support.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184
“We all want to monetize and create this legacy and have something amazing but there’s information disparity when it comes to certain industries and I believe that is deliberate.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184
“We have the resources, we have the finances, we have the genius, we have the innovation and it’s really about [us not] looking outside of ourselves.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184
“Clear requests will get you clear results every time.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184
“I think podcasting has a great deal of entrepreneurial spirit behind it but entrepreneurial spirit doesn’t translate to acumen.” – Talib Jasir, Episode #184
“We need to be innovative. Somebody else doesn’t always have the answers, you have the answers within you and you have to think outside of the box.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #184

Resources:

Afros & Audio Virtual Podcast Festival, November 14th & 15th

Afros & Audio is a community for and by Black Podcast Creatives and Audio Professionals. Our primary mission is to shift the conversation beyond the issues of diversity, inclusion, limited resources, and industry barriers. As a collective of creatives and professionals, we are change agents for real strategies that will transform the current landscape of the Podcast Industry. Together we will design and maintain infrastructures of sustainable resources and consistent support.

Our inaugural festival brought together the most progressive, accomplished, and innovative minds of our podcast and tech communities to ask and answer questions that sparked ideas and created tangible change.

Favorite book:

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

Favorite quote:

“Our crown has already been bought and paid for. All we have to do is wear it” - James Baldwin

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Be intentional
Be clear
Ask for support

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Talib Jasir

Website: talibjasir.com

Website: afrosandaudio.com

Instagram: @afrosandaudio

Instagram: @iamfwdmvmt

Facebook: Afros & Audio

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 183: Protecting Your Car, Finances and Happiness with Michael Holland Jr Oct 27, 2020

Episode Summary

Get information from under the hood on how car repair shops truly operate and what Michael Holland, Jr. has envisioned to change that model. By creating AMPcar, Michael has brought his guiding principle of “be the change you wish to see in the world,” to life and seeks to take the mystery out of your car repair bill. Also on the menu, mentorship, motivation, and the importance of friends and family to your ultimate success, in this episode of the Create Your Life Series.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author. The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free. Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan. Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Michael Holland, Jr.

Michael Holland, Jr. is an auto industry veteran who started his career at the age of 19 as a junior service advisor for Ford and Lincoln. Michael has since held every conceivable client-facing position that a dealership has to offer. After moving to New York City in 2005, he attended New York University and worked full-time on New York’s 11th Avenue of auto dealers until he, and co-founder Eric, started an automotive-maintenance management company. AMPcar saves clients time and money while providing honesty and transparency when it comes to servicing their automobiles.

Insights from this episode:

Details on why Michael created AMPcar, the cost-saving services they provide, and the next steps they are taking to provide more efficient and affordable solutions for customers.
Benefits and difficulties of having a successful career at an early age, such as income versus freedom.
Five steps to having a successful career in the automotive industry.
How mentorship can provide invaluable resources to help you advance your career, the value in criticism, and accepting help.
Three steps to providing great customer service.
Strategies for balancing life and career obligations including leaning on your friends and family for help.

Quotes from the show:

“I know what it’s like to be on both sides of the coin, I’ve been the dealership person calling and asking for the money and I’ve also been the customer on the other end not sure what I should do.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183
On the benefits of AMPcar: “People have more confidence when they have someone that knows what they’re talking about in their corner.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183
On starting a career early: “It was probably the one of the greatest decisions I made, and also one of the worst decisions I made in a way. … It afforded me to earn a six-figure income really early in life but it’s kind of like golden handcuffs.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183
“Everyone can give you their own advice and everyone can give you what they feel is working, it’s my responsibility to take that advice and adapt it to me and my company in a way that makes sense.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183
“When you receive excellent customer service, you remember it, and you want more of it.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183
On how Michael balances work and home life: “Without [friends and family] it would not work. I’m not anything special, I just have special people around me.”
“I love that you’re being solution-based versus emotional in order to make sure that you can push your company forward.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #183
On staying motivated: “I haven’t even scratched the surface of where I want to be.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183
On the secret to success: “Not being afraid to just go after what you want and that’s what I’m doing right now. I’m not afraid anymore.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183
“Show me your friends and I’ll show you who you are. You are the company you keep.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183
“I judge myself against my performances each month and I try to get better each month.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183
“Educate yourself. There is no reason to be ignorant on any topic that you’re passionate about or curious about.” – Michael Holland, Jr., Episode #183

Resources

The Richest Man in Babylonby Geroge S. Clayson

Favorite book:

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason

Favorite quote:

“Most become the change you wish to see in the world”

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Break free of whatever is holding you back
Educate yourself
Don’t be rigid, be loose

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Michael Holland, Jr.

Website: www.ampmycar.com

Instagram: @ampcarinc

Twitter: @ampcarinc

Instagram: @mikehollnyc

Twitter: @MikeHollandjr

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 182: Guest Episode - East Coast & West Coast Music + Life with Awesome Nobody Oct 13, 2020

Episode Summary

In this episode of Create Your Life Series, Kevin is a guest on long-time friend Awesome Nobody’s podcast where they are discussing how musical styles are affected by location. West-coast Kevin talks about how the music from his hometown in California shaped how he navigated life growing up while East-coast Awesome talks about how his musical background helped him stay out of trouble. Although the differences are many, music unites both coasts and provides a common experience.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author. The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free. Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan. Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Awesome Nobody

Awesome Nobody is one of the hottest up-and-coming MCs you've never heard of but definitely should. Awesome is a lyrically skilled artist with a unique style who has been building a solid fan base by consistently putting out projects on SoundCloud and visuals on YouTube.

Awesome Nobody, originally from the New Jersey/New York City area, is taking the music scene to another level. Musically inspired by songs from the 1990s to 2000s, Awesome focuses on capturing the essence of those decades and recreating it in modern times, a true definition of "Restoring the Feeling." While awaiting an official release, Awesome Nobody stays busy doing numerous shows in the tri-state area and recording. Awesome is the Motto, Music is the Life!

Insights from this episode:

Details on the music scene in the Bay Area of California and Kevin’s experience growing up with the music of that area.
How the content of music has changed and the influence it has on its audiences.
Differences between the two coasts that extend beyond music, specifically in basketball.

Quotes from the show:

“Music, for me, is something that really helped me to understand how to navigate life.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #182
“Even though an artist might be aware of it or not, they think, “is this song the best representation of me at this moment?’” – Awesome Nobody, Episode #182
“Be O.K. with just being the cool person, just being authentic to yourself, and I think that gets lost in music.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #182
On West-coast music: “I can’t sit up here and act like the East [Coast] didn’t influence us.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #182
“You can see the differences between the East and the West in so many different ways. It’s in our language, it’s in our dress, it’s in our style of basketball.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #182

Favorite book:

Arrow of God by Chinua Achebe

Favorite quote:

“Do what scares you”

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Do the hard stuff
Believe in yourself
Get down to the core of who you are

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Awesome Nobody

YouTube: Awesome Nobody

Twitter: @AwesomeNobdy

Instagram: @awesome_nobody

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 181: Pt 2 - Connecting The African Continent & The Diaspora with Bridget Boakye Sep 29, 2020

Episode Summary

In this episode of Create Your Life Series, Kevin directs the focus onto Bridget Boakye’s personal experiences and how things might have gone differently if not for one moment of divine intervention. Bridget provides advice on entrepreneurship, becoming an ex-pat in Ghana, goal setting, and much more. You’ll also learn more about Kevin as Bridget turns the microphone and asks him questions about his experiences. Packed with motivation and inspiration, you will want to listen to this episode again and again.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author. The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free. Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan. Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Bridget Boakye

Bridget Boakye is a data scientist, entrepreneur, and writer on a mission to bridge the gap, to connect people, businesses, and, most importantly, perspectives on the African continent and in the Diaspora.

Having grown up in both the U.S. and Ghana, Bridget has a deep connection to the movements in both places and she uses this privilege of perspective to share experiences, trends, and insights that move both the continent and Diaspora forward.

On the day to day, Bridget works as a data scientist and consultant, using data to improve business and economic/social-welfare outcomes. She also writes data-driven articles to influence and inform public opinion. On her website, www.boakyeb.com, you can find her newest featured works and her latest blog posts.

She is also the co-founder and chief strategist for Africans on China where they advocate for and elevate the African voice on Sino-African relations, and Women’s Corner GH, a collective to strengthen women’s voice in content creation and storytelling in Ghana.

Bridget is passionate about data/technology, education, economics, development, history, women’s rights, as well as pop culture, music, travel, and health/fitness. She is a proud member of the Global Shapers Accra Hub of The World Economic Forum.

Insights from this episode:

Benefits of reading on personal growth and perspective.
Bridget’s secret to staying motivated and how she continues to find inspiration and renewal.
Strategies for becoming an expat in Ghana now and how that may change in the future.
Details on how Bridget is creating her best life.
Reasons why Kevin moved on from the Debt-Free College Academy and what he learned from the experience.
Kevin’s secret to maximizing potential by constantly learning and evolving.

Quotes from the show:

“Reading allows me to gain greater perspective about who I am as a person in this world.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #181
“The people who support you most are not the people you grew up with or are not related to you. Friends are the family you get to choose.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #181
“For me, the biggest challenge has been myself. What I tell myself I can do in this world.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #181
“Realizing what is momentary and fleeting versus what your actual purpose requires of you or is going to demand of you is really key.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #181
“You honestly don’t fail until you quit.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #181
Bridget’s motto: “Do what scares you.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #181
On legacy: “I understood my responsibility as a black man, but I didn’t understand how deep the roots are.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #181
“It’s fascinating to learn of other people’s cultures, the way that they do things, why they do things, and to really go deep because there is so much to learn.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #181
On maximizing potential: “It’s not just learning who you are; it’s also evolving, being in an eternal state of evolution.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #181

Resources

The 4-hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss

The Arrow of God by Chinua Achebe

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series

Facebook: Create Your Life Series

Instagram: Create Your Life Series

Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

Facebook: kevinybrown

Bridget Boakye

Website: www.boakyeb.com

Twitter: @Boakye_B

Instagram: @boakyeb

LinkedIn: Bridget Boakye

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 180: Pt 1 - Connecting The African Continent & The Diaspora with Bridget Boakye Sep 15, 2020

Episode Summary

In this episode of Create Your Life Series, Bridget Boakye talks about moving from Ghana to New York at the age of ten and how those dual life experiences provided her with the discipline and motivation to become a writer and advocate for Africa. Bridget and Kevin discuss the artificial construct that has been created to portray Africa to the world and the ways they are creating a new narrative to effect powerful change. Listen in to learn about China in Africa, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and more.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author. The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free. Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan. Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Bridget Boakye

Bridget Boakye is a data scientist, entrepreneur, and writer on a mission to bridge the gap, to connect people, businesses, and, most importantly, perspectives on the African continent and in the Diaspora.

Having grown up in both the U.S. and Ghana, Bridget has a deep connection to the movements in both places and she uses this privilege of perspective to share experiences, trends, and insights that move both the continent and Diaspora forward.

On the day to day, Bridget works as a data scientist and consultant, using data to improve business and economic/social-welfare outcomes. She also writes data-driven articles to influence and inform public opinion. On her website, www.boakyeb.com, you can find her newest featured works and her latest blog posts.

She is also the co-founder and chief strategist for Africans on China where they advocate for and elevate the African voice on Sino-African relations, and Women’s Corner GH, a collective to strengthen women’s voice in content creation and storytelling in Ghana.

Bridget is passionate about data/technology, education, economics, development, history, women’s rights, as well as pop culture, music, travel, and health/fitness. She is a proud member of the Global Shapers Accra Hub of The World Economic Forum.

Insights from this episode:

Benefits Bridget received from transitioning from Ghana to the United States and back to Ghana and how those experiences helped shape her future.
How Bridget maintained her identity while navigating cultural expectations in Ghana and America.
The secret for developing the discipline to accomplish your goals.
How to change the narrative of Africa that was created by American Imperialism by using social media.
Details on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and how it is impacting African resources and innovation.

Quotes from the show:

“I must say that some of my formative experience, in terms of defining who I am as a person now, definitely came from my educational experiences in the [United States].” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180
On being an African immigrant in America: “I’ve always had this sense that I’m navigating a dual identity.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180
What compelled Bridget to write: “Creating another million-dollar business isn’t going to change another person on the continent’s perception about what it is, what’s going to change it is the narrative we tell ourselves about who we are.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180
“In order to develop discipline you have to care about the thing you’re doing.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180
On China positioning themselves in Africa: “If Africans don’t believe they’re not inferior to Chinese, who cares what a Chinese person has to say?” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180
On the narrative of African inferiority: “Part of that is who has the ability to amplify the voice of whether someone is inferior or superior.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #180
“I’m Black-American. We have the most dominant culture in the world, but we don’t own it.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #180
On social media versus mainstream media: “There is nothing CNN can show that is going to move the needle in the way that our own people are going to move the needle when they have the access (to social media).” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180
“Africa doesn’t need to be saved.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #180
“There’s this idea that there’s a lot of talent on the (African) Continent but there’s not enough opportunity or enough access.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #180

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Bridget Boakye

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Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 179: Time Is Not Promised! Sep 01, 2020

Episode Summary

In this episode of Create Your Life Series, Kevin reflects on how the passing of one of his mentors has caused him to reevaluate the things that really matter. And Kevin shares some of his favorite quotes, thoughts, and actions that have helped him through stressful times.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author. The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free. Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan. Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Insights from this episode:

Benefits of cultivating a life outside of business and entrepreneurship.
How to gain perspective and understanding in your life.
Strategies for evaluating what is important to you and moving forward on that information.

Quotes from the show:

“Experiences can shape a person. As a matter of fact, experiences do shape people.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #179
“Enjoy the journey while you’re on it.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #179
On what Kevin would change about his past experiences: “I honestly would take more chances.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #179
“The answers to my questions and my desires are within me and have always been.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #179
“Are you actively walking in creating a legacy that you will be proud of and that your family will be proud of.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #179

Resources:

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

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Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 178: 10 Ways to Stay Mentally Fit During COVID Aug 18, 2020

Episode Summary

In this special episode of Create Your Life Series, Kevin shares the top tips and tricks he uses to achieve his goals and discusses additional steps he has taken to find balance during the quarantine of COVID-19. Having used these lessons to achieve the success and happiness he desires, Kevin creates a clear path for you to reach your goals while protecting your mental space.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author. The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free. Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan. Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Insights from this episode:

How to protect your mental space to make sure you can stay strong for yourself and for others during COVID-19:

1. No distractions in the morning
2. Having a morning routine
3. Meditate
4. Focus on focus
5. Evaluate your relationships
6. Spend time with yourself
7. Plan
8. Get an accountability partner
9. Have a nightly routine
10. Turn your phone off
11. Bonus: Prioritize what matters
12. Bonus: Consistency
13. Bonus: Stay in your lane

How to promote self-care with Kevin’s AMBITIONS acronym:
- A - daily affirmations
- M - listen to something motivational
- B - the body, stretch
- I - intelligence, read
- T - thankfulness
- I - income, manage finances
- O - look at opportunities
- N - nutritional intake
- S - schedule
Benefits of asking questions to encourage personal and relationship growth:
- Why do I do certain things?
- What makes me feel good?
- What makes me feel not so good?
- How do I feel when [this person] comes around?
- How do I feel when I’m around a particular group of people?
- What actually matters to me?
- What would I do for fun if no one else was around?
- What music would I listen to if no one else was around?
- What would I do if money didn’t matter?

Quotes from the show:

“The day started on my time, on my schedule versus starting it in reaction.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178
“Owning your morning is what really sets the precedent for the rest of the day.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178
“It is so important to spend some time in complete silence and think through your day.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178
“Stop participating in relationships that cause you stress or make you second-guess yourself.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178
“I am lucky to live my life on my terms and for that, I am extremely thankful.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178
On having an accountability partner: “You need someone to hold you accountable to your plans and your true north and this is going to make a huge difference and keep you pushing forward.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178
“Your nightly routine and what you do before bed are related to your morning routine.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178
“Working on the right things is more important than working hard. Make sure you are working on the things that will bring you the results that you want.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #178

Resources Mentioned:

Smart Countdown Timer

CYLS 173: One Year Back in America

Plan for Success with Dr. Myles Munroe

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Kevin Y. Brown

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Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 177: Guest Episode - The Journey Aug 04, 2020

Episode Summary

Learn about the host of your favorite podcast as Candice Davis of Little Miss Entertainment turns the microphone on Kevin, in this crossover episode of the Create Your Life Series. Kevin shares how his experiences in the California foster system gave him the determination to succeed and, ultimately, the ability to create his life. Kevin and Candice reminisce about his experiences at Clark Atlanta University and how the friends you make can influence your life in the best of ways. Listen in to find out what’s next for Kevin and what he’s looking forward to in the future.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author. The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free. Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan. Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Candice Davis

Candice graduated from Wilkes University with honors in the prestigious Lambda Pi Eta communications studies National Honor Society. She is in the Who's Who of College & University Students and has achieved numerous other awards.

Now, Candice is Director of Marketing at Live! Casino and Hotel in Hanover, Maryland, but after college Candice took what she calls a “survival job” before finding what would be the best opportunity of her life at a casino as an entertainment coordinator. What began as a fun title on a name tag turned into the Little Miss Entertainment brand.

Little Miss Entertainment is any person that loves to go to concerts, loves throwing dinner parties, loves finding a bargain on great designer clothes, loves traveling the world. Candice took that brand and turned it into an interview-style podcast, The Little Miss Entertainment Show, where she interviews amazing people with amazing stories. They talk about funny things, serious things, and love things and they are the types of stories that everyone can relate to.

Insights from this episode:

Details on how Kevin’s childhood cultivated and shaped his path for the future.
The benefits of going to Clark Atlanta University, how it provided a history and a basis for Kevin to learn and build from, and how he emerged as a completely different person.
Secrets to graduating from college debt-free taken from Kevin’s book 10 Ways Anyone Can Graduate From College Debt-Free: A Guide to Post-College Freedom.
Strategies Kevin used to survive foster care and how that experience made him who he is today.
Difficulties faced by men of color to express themselves in a meaningful way.
How to find and face your flaws.
Details on the launch of Podcast Laundry, how it has grown, and what’s next for Kevin.

Quotes from the show:

On being in foster care: “It’s one of those situations where you either decide that you’re going to take control of your life or that the circumstances that you were born into, that you have no control over, will then define who you are.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177
“Going to Clark Atlanta was a great experience. I feel like, for me, it definitely taught me about the responsibilities that I had to the community as a black male.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177
“College is about having fun and it’s about finding yourself and your independence, but it’s more so what you need to leave with; college is a network of people that will support you.” – Candice Davis, Episode #177
“Foster care just always has that connotation that that person didn’t want the child or the child is in the system, but it’s so much more than that.” – Candice Davis, Episode #177
On surviving foster care: “You have people that have different levels of resiliency.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177
“My thing with Create Your Life is that we want to make sure that people walk away with tangible takeaways and that our guests are very, very open, and that we ask the questions, the life hacks, that people can really walk away with.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177
“You can’t duplicate the ‘what’ somebody does or the ‘why’ they do it but you can duplicate the ‘how’ and that’s what’s really important.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177
“You invest in other people to see them win.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177
“We all have areas to improve … change is constant but growth is optional.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #177
“Sometimes we are our biggest critics and we have to know we aren’t perfect and … that there is room to improve and grow and if we all accept that we will become better human beings and better communicators and better partners.” – Candice Davis, Episode #177
“[Kevin] is one of those people that you will not just want to work with because of the quality of work, you’ll enjoy working with him because he is professional and personable.” – Candice Davis, Episode #177

Resources Mentioned:

10 Ways Anyone Can Graduate From College Debt-Free: A Guide to Post-College Freedom by Kevin Y. Brown

Pod Decks

Stay Connected:

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Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

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Candice Davis

Website: www.candicedavisonline.com

Podcast: Little Miss Entertainment Show

Instagram: @lilmissent

Twitter: @lilmissent

Email: thelilmissentshow@gmail.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 176: CEO Talks - Hire Slow, Fire Fast with Eric Fondren Jul 21, 2020

Episode Summary

If you want to increase effective communication and leadership in your business, don’t miss this episode of the Create Your Life Series. Eric and Kevin discuss their commitment to creating a company culture that reflects the values of their organization and how they incorporate the Hire Slow, Fire Fast method to achieve that goal. They break down their core concepts of hiring employees, conflict resolution, and how to release the anchor of commitment when you need to take the final step and fire an employee.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author. The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free. Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan. Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Eric Fondren

Eric Fondren is a mixed bag of skills that includes both hard and soft skills. After obtaining his computer science degree from Morehouse College, Eric spent 3 years on Wall Street learning why it's difficult for large companies to innovate. While working full-time, Eric also went on to obtain his Master's degree in professional counseling.

After his stint on Wall Street, Eric tried his hand with a number of ventures including web design, relationship coaching among other things. All of this experience showed him his true path, which was to build a technology company.

Today, as CEO of ITELLIO (originally branded as FreeATM) Eric has built a large scale ad network that aggregates 9,000 digital screens into a central buying platform.

Insights from this episode:

How to hire employees to create a respectful culture within your organization that fosters success.
Strategies for defining who will be a good fit to join your organization.
Benefits of having a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), paying attention to the details of your business, and knowing your personnel.
How to deal with clients that have a company culture that clashes with your company’s culture.
Benefits of taking responsibility as a leader and the impact it makes on your culture.
Strategies for effective communication especially through digital methods such as email and text.
The secret for dealing with conflict communication; the positivity sandwich.

Quotes from the show:

“Creating a culture is probably the most important thing you can do to set up success for your business long-term.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #176
“Being organized starts from the top. You have to understand your personnel.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #176
“You don’t want to have to spend time teaching somebody the skills necessary to do the job. That’s an important piece.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #176
“You’re hiring somebody to do the job; you’re not hiring someone to learn the job. That’s an internship.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #176
“People value different things. People have different priorities, different motivations.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #176
On communicating with employees: “I had to be mindful of the way that I was communicating as the leader in this situation as well.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #176
“Conflict resolution is a huge part of culture. If people are scared to resolve conflict both internally and externally, it’s going to stop your business almost immediately.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #176
“You have to know what the goal is beyond this conversation or the goal of the conversation.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #176

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Kevin Y. Brown

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Eric Fondren

Website: www.itellio.com

Email: info@itell.io

LinkedIn: Eric Fondren

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 175: CEO Talks - Quarantine and Pivot with Eric Fondren Jul 07, 2020

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Create Your Life Series, Kevin talks with Eric Fondren of Itellio about the effects of quarantine on life and business and the lessons they are learning during this time. Eric discusses his new venture, Bankable Business Blueprint, and other projects he’s working on right now and Kevin shares what the future holds for his business, Podcast Laundry. Whether you’re starting a business or trying to break a plateau, you don’t want to miss this episode on how to make your venture more effective.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author. The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free. Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan. Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Eric Fondren

Eric Fondren is a mixed bag of skills that includes both hard and soft skills. After obtaining his computer science degree from Morehouse College, Eric spent 3 years on Wall Street learning why it's difficult for large companies to innovate. While working full-time, Eric also went on to obtain his Master's degree in professional counseling.

After his stint on Wall Street, Eric tried his hand with a number of ventures including web design, relationship coaching among other things. All of this experience showed him his true path, which was to build a technology company.

Today, as CEO of ITELLIO (originally branded as FreeATM) Eric has built a large scale ad network that aggregates 9,000 digital screens into a central buying platform.

Insights from this episode:

Strategies for attracting and retaining the right customers for your services.
Benefits of evolving and redefining your clientele to ensure business success and growth.
How to set your business up for success and maintain consistent growth.
Details on the “six-figure follows” system that Eric created and uses to help his customers reach more customers.
Differences between word-of-mouth marketing and content marketing and when to employ each.
Benefits of researching your competition to find what made them successful and what didn’t to improve your own business.

Quotes from the show:

“I feel like quarantine and pivot has been the story of my life.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #175
“Quarantine has really helped me to become laser-focused.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #175
“The product should be catered to the client and if you don’t know who exactly the client should be you can’t build a good company around it.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #175
On client relationships: “Our success is tied to your success.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #175
“I don’t want to help people build a product … I want to help people go from just product development to sales to a consistent managed sales process.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #175
On the “six-figure follows” system: “Why post all day when you can make money all day.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #175
“Real competition means someone doing the exact same thing as you at potentially higher quality and lower prices.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #175
“Don’t recreate the wheel but you can have a different type of wheel and it can be made of something different.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #175
“People nowadays buy because of authenticity and relatability.” – Eric Fondren, Episode #175

Stay Connected:

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Kevin Y. Brown

Website: www.kevinybrown.com

Instagram: kevinybrown

Twitter: kevinybrown

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Eric Fondren

Website: www.itellio.com

Email: info@itell.io

LinkedIn: Eric Fondren

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 174: Going Beyond Empowerment With Alechia Reese Jun 23, 2020

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Create Your Life Series, Kevin talks with Alechia Reese about how to go beyond empowerment to achieve your goals. Alechia shares how she successfully juggles the management of three business teams and two brands while being a single mother. She also discusses her surprising take on higher education, the biggest challenge she had to overcome, and what’s next on her journey. Whether you're starting a business or want to have better relationships, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways you can immediately employ to transform your own life.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author. The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free. Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan. Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Alechia Reese

Alechia Reese is the chief brand strategist of 360 Gateway Brands, author of the award-winning book, Eating Elephants, former director of PR & creative marketing of Soledad O'Brien's PowHERful Foundation, and the former strategic marketing director of Disney star, Zendaya Coleman’s fashion line, Daya by Zendaya. She specializes in the development of brand identity, strategy and execution. Her clients have been featured in Glamour, on the covers of Cosmo and are regular speakers for Ivy League institutions and the White House, under the Obama administration. Alechia is also a media personality, certified international professional speaker and humanitarian who has hosted and curated award-winning entertainment and corporate activations. As an event curator and coordinator her company has designed events for Art Basel, Miami Fashion Week and a host of other tours and client campaigns. With a master’s degree and ScrumMaster certification Alechia’s skilled, fun and energetic speaking style has afforded her the opportunity to partner with and speak for a myriad of corporations & organizations from the entertainment stage to the corporate boardroom including Bank of America, UPS, the Miami Marlins, Progressive, Grey Goose, Verizon and others.

Honored as a Woman of Power Awardee presented by Bank of America & NABA NYC, her specialty is purpose leadership, millennial leadership development, effective networking and relationship building, and brand and business development. A firm believer in all things positive empowerment and strategic differentiation, you can catch her on a plane near you interviewing some of the most influential & successful world leaders, or hosting some of the most progressive and exclusive events around the globe. Alechia is a domestic violence thriver and she believes beyond empowerment it is necessary to properly equip all people to succeed. Her life's mantra is, "Your life is the sum total of your beliefs - believe greatly!"

Insights from this episode:

Strategies Alechia teaches her daughter to ensure that she can also become the person she wants to be.
Benefits of using solid systems and creating an amazing team to help you achieve your goals.
Details on Alechia’s program to assist businesses in creating programs for remote workers.
Secrets to creating strong relationships with companies and maintaining that relationship.
Benefits of personal development and continual learning on emotional and physical wellness.
How to develop your brand, process and incorporate feedback, and overcome personal challenges.

Quotes from the show:

“Just because I was born into a certain situation does not mean that I have to accept that and make that what it is for the rest of my life. Just because it looks like that now, does not mean it has to look that way for life.” – Alechia Reese, Episode #174
“You are the author of your story. No one else can create it.” – Alechia Reese, Episode #174
“I am just really good at building and developing and then maintaining relationships. I understand it’s not about me, I’m in a position to serve.” – Alechia Reese, Episode #174
“A lot of people get real confused about how to find out what people need and I’m a firm believer in just open your mouth and ask.” – Alechia Reese, Episode #174
“All that degree meant was that I could stick through something and finish it. It doesn’t mean I’m skilled, it doesn’t mean I’m talented, it doesn’t mean I know how to build something, it just means I know how to finish a class.” – Alechia Reese, Episode #174
“I thought the degree would legitimize me and honestly it didn’t. The relationships that I built and the results that I was able to achieve, that legitimized me.” – Alechia Reese, Episode #174
On overcoming obstacles: “That’s when I became a survivor and later I became a thriver.” – Alechia Reese, Episode #174
On sharing the struggles of beginning a business: “That window of time is so important for somebody who might be going through a similar experience.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #174
“Make a decision, this is what I want, this is what I’ll have, and then put in the work to get there.” – Alechia Reese, Episode #174

Resources Mentioned:

Women's Business Enterprise National Council

LinkedIn Learning

The Return to Love by Marianne Williamson

The Aladdin Factor by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen

International Players Anthem by Underground Kings

Favorite books:

A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson

The Aladdin Factor by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen

Favorite quote:

“Life is a relationship game, learn how to play it well”

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Make a decision...have few made the decision
Deny everything that doesn’t look like where you are looking to be, or who you are looking to be
Be intentional

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Kevin Y. Brown

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Alechia Reese

Website: www.alechiareese.com

Instagram: alechiareese

Twitter: alechiareese

Facebook: alechiareese

YouTube: alechiareese

LinkedIn: alechiareese

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 173: 1 Year Back In America Jun 09, 2020

Episode Summary

In this episode of Create Your Life Series, Kevin reflects on the last twelve months and shares his thoughts on the current events that are changing the world. This episode is real talk on the real impacts of what is happening around us. Kevin talks about his feelings on loss and legacy, how he has been coping, and the books that are helping to shape his approach to life.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author. The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free. Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan. Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Insights from this episode:

The stark differences between travelling across Africa and living in the United States as a black man.
How COVID-19 has personally impacted Kevin and his wish for his audience and the world.
The secrets that he has learned from his experiences especially during the last year.
Strategies for coping and finding balance in troubled times.
How to continue to strive to be better.

Quotes from the show:

On traveling across Africa: “I just never had that heightened level of stress that I have to deal with on a day-to-day basis here in the U.S. [United States]” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #173
“To be honest this is a really stressful reality and one that is even hard to convey to you and it’s something that’s been going on since the beginning of the United States.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #173
“It seems like the world, and the United States, people both white black and people of color are coming together as one in order to talk about the injustice and make a movement.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #173
“For the first time in my life I feel like there might actually be change coming.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #173
“What kind of legacy will you leave behind?” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #173
“Nothing is promised.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #173
“One of the biggest lessons I had to learn was humility, humility, humility.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #173
“I had to understand that I am not the man that I planned to be.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #173
“These twelve books are about wealth creation, mindset, and history and I believe you need all three to be successful in this world.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #173

Recommended Books:

Up From Slavery byBooker T. Washington

The Power of the subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy

How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker

Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki

The Wealth Choice by Dennis Kimbro

Powernomics by Claude Anderson

The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo

The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran

As a Man Thinketh by James Allen

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

F.U. Money by Dan Locke

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin Y. Brown:

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 172: Renewable Energy Goals with Benoy Thanjan Jan 21, 2020

Episode Summary

This episode of Create Your Life Series will motivate you to make and keep your resolutions this year. Kevin talks with Benoy Thanjan, owner of Reneu Energy, about his path to entrepreneurship in the solar energy industry and his passion project, the Solar Maverick podcast. Benoy and Kevin look back on their journeys over the past year and discuss what it takes to be successful in entrepreneurship, podcasting, and life.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author. The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free. Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan. Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Benoy Thanjan

Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, as well as an advisor for several solar startup companies. Reneu Energy is a premier international solar energy consulting firm and developer, and the company focuses on developing commercial and industrial solar, as well as utility-scale solar plus storage projects. The company also sources financing for solar projects and hedges both energy and environmental commodities. Reneu Energy has brokered $27 million in environmental commodity transactions.

Benoy received his first experience in Finance as an intern at D.E. Shaw & Co., which is a global investment firm with 37 billion dollars in investment capital. Before founding Reneu Energy, he was the SREC Trader in the Project Finance Group for SolarCity, which merged with Tesla in 2016. He originated SREC trades with buyers and co-developed their SREC monetization and hedging strategy with the senior management of SolarCity, to move into the east coast markets. Benoy also worked at Vanguard Energy Partners, Ridgewood Renewable Power, and Deloitte & Touche.

Insights from this episode:

Details on Reneu Energy, how the company became involved with Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), and how states are employing them to incentivize solar development.
How to create a more eco-friendly lifestyle on a daily basis and incorporate renewable energy into any household.
Strategies on goal-setting, forming a work plan, and taking action steps to attain those goals.
How to create a successful podcast in a niche market, facing challenges, and making your own opportunities.
Details on how Benoy and Kevin became podcasters and what that process has taught them.

Quotes from the show:

“My first background in energy was at Deloitte & Touch and then I knew that renewable energy sustainability was my passion.” – Benoy Thanjan, Episode #172
“There’s a lot of exciting things that are happening with the (renewable energy) industry, specifically related to solar.” – Benoy Thanjan, Episode #172
On having a renewable lifestyle: “There’s the Three R’s that we could all incorporate into our whole lifestyle, which is Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.” – Benoy Thanjan, Episode #172
On what it takes to become an entrepreneur: “A lot of time, in pursuit of running your own company, it takes a while.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #172
On entrepreneurship: “It’s not easy to just go (out) and then suddenly start a company and take that leap, it definitely takes time.” – Benoy Thanjan, Episode #172
On attaining goals: “Every day I come up with a task list… of what are the biggest things that are going to move the needle to get me closer to my goals.” – Benoy Thanjan, Episode #172
On making Solar Maverick: “It’s important to take the feedback that you get from the podcast but it’s also important to be what you wanted the show to be about.” – Benoy Thanjan, Episode #172
On listening to Solar Maverick: “Solar is here to stay and it is something that is becoming bigger and bigger and more a part of our daily lives and with that, we need to be informed and that’s why I tune in to the Solar Maverick podcast” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #172
On Kevin creating the Create Your Life Series: “It was being a professional speaker and I wanted a way to engage with my listeners and audience members on a continuous basis.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #172
On what Kevin has learned through his guests on the Create Your Life Series: “You have to be bold and authentic and actually be doing what it is that aligns with you.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #172

Resources mentioned

Solar Maverick with Benoy Thanjan

Create Your Life Series: Episode 134 with Kevin Y. Brown

How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie

Favorite book:

How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie

Favorite quote:

“God, grant me to serenity to accept the things that I can’t change, and the wisdom to know the difference” - Reinhold Niebuhr

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Be in the present moment, don’t think about the past and future
Take a lot of action to get your goals done
Be positive throughout the process

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin Y. Brown:

www.instagram.com/benoit0212

Benoy Thanjan:

www.reneuenergy.com

www.linkedin.com/in/bthanjan/

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

CYLS 171: Welcome Back 2020 Jan 07, 2020

CYLS 170: Be The Best That You Can Be In Your Own Lane with Yvonne McNair May 21, 2019

Episode summary:

Yvonne talks about her entrepreneurial journey, sharing how she used her experiences and her education to become a go-to special event producer in the music industry. She shares inspiration and strategies for navigating negative feedback and holding her own in an industry where women of color are minorities. She also talks about the importance of the behind-the-scenes movers and shakers in all industries: how to value them and how fulfilling a job in that role can be.

About our Guest:

Yvonne McNair is CEO of Captivate Marketing Group. She is a certified and Emmy-nominated special events producer and entertainment marketing professional. She was mentored by Esther Gordy Edwards, Berry’s Gordon’s sister and the creator of Motown Museum. At 22, she was featured on the cover of Crain magazine as someone to watch in the industry. Today, she has 20 years and over 10,000 events under her belt. She has worked with artists big and small, including working with Prince as well as top media companies including the Sundance Film Festival and MTV, among others.

Insights from this episode:

Strategies for continuing to innovate and evolve with your craft
Strategies for cultivating and sustaining relationships
How to play the long game when securing clients
Secrets to mastering your craft
How to show your gratitude for the people in your corner
Strategies for pushing past introversion to network successfully
Strategies for retaining clients year over year

Quotes from the show:

“I wanted to have all those same credentials so there was nothing holding me back.” - Yvonne McNair, Episode #170
On developing strong relationships with clients: “When I’m working with artists, I’m not just gonna hit you up when you’re high.” - Yvonne McNair, Episode #170
“I’m the go-to person when people want something a little different. I compete against myself. I want to do better than the last event.” - Yvonne McNair, Episode #170
“There are so many things I learned from grad school that I use every day.” - Yvonne McNair, Episode #170
On navigating negative feedback: “I just shake it off. I feel that I’m really strong and I feel that there’s nothing I can’t handle or do, so you know just having strength and believing in yourself.” - Yvonne McNair, Episode #170
“I try to go with how a person makes me feel – instinct. If I’m gonna partner with you we gotta both be bringing something to the table.” - Yvonne McNair, Episode #170
“Be the best that you can be in your own lane” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #170
On rebuilding her business after moving to New York: “I had to really have the confidence in myself. I had to have a long talk with myself.” - Yvonne McNair, Episode #170
“I think it’s so important, especially with things that go on in the world, I’ve lost a couple very close friends – they’ve passed away – so I want my friends to know I love them and I appreciate them because you just never know.” - Yvonne McNair, Episode #170
“A plan is not a plan until you write it down.” - Yvonne McNair, Episode #170
“You only have one time, in fact you might have half a time to show me who you are before I believe it. That doesn’t mean that I’m through with you, but I might reposition you.” - Yvonne McNair, Episode #170

Resources mentioned:

Keynote

Favorite book:

The Success Principles by Jack Canfield

Favorite quote:

“When people show you who they are, believe them.” - Maya Angelou

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Persistence
Step out of your comfort zone
Be a risk taker

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.instagram.com/ymcnairasiseeit

Yvonne NcNair:

https://twitter.com/ymcnair

www.captivatemarketinggroup.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

CYLS 169: Redefining the College to Career Pipeline with Dr. Cherise Bernard May 14, 2019

Episode summary:

Cherise talks about her educational experience and her pivot from the biomedical field to media and technology through working for Spotify. She describes how her passions and experiences came to coalesce around her current job, and why she finds it fulfilling to work at Spotify and with students and universities.

About our Guest:

Cherise Bernard is a senior talent acquisition partner at Spotify, overseeing the outreach strategy and management for all undergraduate business, MBA, and PhD research internships in the United States, Canada and South America, especially those with a focus on diversity initiatives. She also leads the creation of Spotify’s new academic relations division with the goal of initiating and managing partnerships between spotify and us universities to amplify research in artificial intelligence, machine learning and natural language processing for new product development. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Spelman College, an MBA from Rutgers University and a PhD from Rutgers in cellular and molecular pharmacology.

Insights from this episode:

How having a spiritual anchor can offer support in your life
Strategies for showing up every day in the midst of grief and hard times
How to use self reflection in your work life
How to use your strengths and experiences to make you flexible along your career path
Strategies for securing internships as a student
Secrets to becoming your best self
Strategies to taking initiative of programs at work to new levels

Quotes from the show:

Something Cherise took away from her experience at an HBCU: “We [African Americans] can do more than what was originally slated for us.” - Cherise Bernard, Episode 170
“Learn how to be flexible in terms of how you communicate with people.” - Cherise Bernard, Episode 170
“Be careful how you present yourself to the outside world because it matters.” - Cherise Bernard, Episode 170
On what she took from her PhD experience: “Really how to own something and lead it out on your own is really what I took from that whole experience which is I think the most valuable thing ever.” - Cherise Bernard, Episode 170
“If we were aware of the whole staircase, we wouldn’t want to take any steps, because it would be scary. I’m a person who focuses on one step at a time.” - Cherise Bernard, Episode 170
“Follow your internal compass and be ready for that next step even when you don’t know what it is.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #170
“I really love engaging with students because of their hope.” - Cherise Bernard, Episode 170
“You don’t have to be in control to make greatness happen. When you are great it just happens for you and with you when it’s supposed to.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #170
“Traveling, seeing the world, learning other cultures is creating your best life.” - Cherise Bernard, Episode 170
“What motivates me is the fact that it’s bigger than me.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #170

Resources mentioned:

Budget app through Bank of America

Favorite book:

The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer

Favorite quote:

Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” - Maya Angelou

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Focus on self love; make loving yourself a priority
Get used to change
Become okay with forgiving yourself often

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.cherisebernardphd.com

Cherise Bernard:

https://twitter.com/drCBernard1

www.instagram.com/docshortcut

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

CYLS 168: Redefining Her Quest - Insight into the life of America’s money maven with Patrice Washington May 07, 2019

Episode summary:

Patrice shares her financial and emotional intelligence, telling her story of redefining her quest for money into a quest for purpose. She speaks with compassion for herself – speaking honestly about the challenges she has overcome – and compassion for others in their own journeys to find purpose and financial stability.

About our Guest:

Patrice Washington is an award-winning author, personal finance coach, inspiring public speaker and media personality. She is known as “America’s Money Maven,” she is the host of the Redefining Wealth Podcast and she founded the Earn More Money Movement for Women. Her podcast was placed on Forbes’ list of 15 inspiring podcasts for professionals of every stripe. She is also a mom and a wife and an excellent scrapbooker.

Insights from this episode:

How to evaluate your money patterns and habits in order to change them
How to start saving money by aligning yourself with your purpose
Secrets to listening to your heart even when you’re broke
Strategies for upholding your relationships in the midst of tough financial times
How to create harmony in your life by respecting your important relationships
Strategies for cultivating understanding
Strategies for organizing your goals

Quotes from the show:

“Every time it does get hard, I remind myself that I am blessed to be a blessing.” - Patrice Washington, Episode #168
“I’ve always believed that becoming wealthy has nothing to do with money and everything do to with mindset.” - Patrice Washington, Episode #168
“I don’t believe you can recondition what you’re not gonna recognize.” - Patrice Washington, Episode #168
“Seventy to 80 percent of my audience, even though they were making good money, they were not working in their purpose, therefore they were so unfulfilled that they were using all these other things to cope. Or they were using all these other things to fill the void that’s created when you’re not working or living in your purpose.” - Patrice Washington, Episode #168
On maintaining a healthy relationship through tough times: “I think the foundation of that is he was my best friend before he was my boyfriend so he is my friend friend.” - Patrice Washington, Episode #168
On raising her daughter and cultivating harmony in her life: “It was important to me that she knew that it was possible, that she knew she would never have to grow up and make the choice between I am I going to be a mother or am I going to be a businesswoman or professional.” - Patrice Washington, Episode #168
“If it don’t feel right it’s probably not right.” - Patrice Washington, Episode #168
On seeking therapy: “Going to sit on somebody’s couch I think saved my destiny.” - Patrice Washington, Episode #168
“I do not believe that I could be who I am today had i not gotten the help for the childhood trauma that I experienced.” - Patrice Washington, Episode #168
“I’m not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s okay.” - Patrice Washington, Episode #168

Resources mentioned:

Google calendar

Favorite quote:

Her motto: “I am who I say I am.”

Favorite book:

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Ecker

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Chase purpose not money
You have the power to define wealth as whatever you see it as
Make it a point to create relationships that matter - everything that you need, if it’s not within your reach, you know someone who can get you there.

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.patricewashington.com

Patrice Washington:

www.instagram.com/seekwisdompcw

Redefining wealth podcast: www.patricewashington.com/listen and wherever you listen to podcasts!

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

CYLS 167: Find A Way Or Make One with Jeremy Christian Apr 30, 2019

Episode summary:

This episode sounds like two friends catching up. It is a beautifully honest conversation between two entrepreneurs full of mutual respect. Jeremy shares his story of leaving a lucrative contract as a rapper to pursue passions closer to his heart. He talks about starting over and his grind to secure a place in the L.A. comedy world. He also talks about his passion for self care and his firm belief in the importance of validating your mental health and wellbeing.

About our Guest:

Jeremy Christian is a rapper and musician turned actor and comedian. He currently writes, acts and produces for MTV’s WILD ‘N OUT show. He also helps create and run shows at Let’s Be Honest Comedy and hosts, performs and produces shows at The Comedy Store. He has a degree in television and film communication from Clark Atlanta University. He is also a dad, and says his daughter is his biggest source of motivation.

Insights from this episode:

How to use the resources available to you to make it happen
How to stick with it when you have to start over
Strategies to push past stress and find yourself
Strategies for prioritizing your mental health, your needs and your goals

Quotes from the show:

On working at a Hallmark store when he first moved to LA: “Everything I did I took pride in, because I was like if I’m gonna be here, I’m gonna be here. If I’m gonna sell cards, I’m gonna be the best at selling cards.” - Jeremy Christian, Episode #167
“I really just stopped thinking about everybody else and started working on my own stuff.” - Jeremy Christian, Episode #167
On self care: “As long as I take care of that core, I think everything else is good.” - Jeremy Christian, Episode #167
“I had to dig up a lot of that stuff in order to really move forward and get that weight off my shoulders I didn’t even realize was there.” - Jeremy Christian, Episode #167
On the power of sharing personal stories and experiences: “Even though you know that these stories happen, you feel like you’re going through it by yourself until you share the same stories.” - Jeremy Christian, Episode #167
On his life outlook: “I just want to be able to look back and say, ‘well done.’” - Jeremy Christian, Episode #167

Resources mentioned:

Favorite book:

48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

Favorite quote:

Gumbo’s motto: “Find a way or make one.”

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Look into yourself, do some soul searching and figure out what is true for you
Know what it is that you want, but also be open minded about how you’re going to get there
Be a good person and be kind

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.instagram.com/heyitsgumbo

Jeremy Christian:

https://twitter.com/HeyItsGumbo

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

CYLS 166: Making History While Raising Over $1 Million Dollars in Funding with Amanda Johnson and KJ Miller Apr 23, 2019

Episode summary:

Amanda and KJ eloquently and humorously walk listeners through their entrepreneurial journey to founding a very successful beauty brand for women of color. They talk about their vision, the importance of having a solid team working around them and a solid community supporting and challenging them.

About our Guests:

Amanda Johnson and KJ Miller are the founders of Mented, a cosmetics company dedicated to providing consistent, everyday beauty products for women of every shade. The two met at Harvard Business School but developed Mented later, while working corporate 9-5 jobs. Today, they are the 15th and 16th black women to have raised $1 million in venture capital.

Insights from this episode:

How to make use of your network as a startup
Strategies for locking down your first investors
How to be proactive and mindful about building your team
Secrets to continuing to innovate
How to listen to constructive criticism and tune out the rest

Quotes from the show:

“As cool of a strategy as it may seem to be able to say something is sold out, I’d much rather have the dollars in our bank account than the headline that we sold out.” - KJ Miller, Episode #166
“We want women to always feel like they can come to us and get the product they want.” - Amanda Johnson, Episode #165
“The jobs we had were the jobs we had to do, mented was the job we got to do.” - KJ Miller, Episode #165
“At the base of it, there are really amazing women of color influencers out there talking about Mented, constantly introducing us to their audiences, reintroducing us if you will, and an enthusiastic community who wants to tell anybody and everybody they know.” - Amanda Johnson, Episode #165
“It would be great if I had known when we started that yea there will be some really really heavy times and some tough times, but you know you’ll figure it out, you’ll work through it because that’s what you do and you build up almost like a muscle of working through really tough things and as that muscle gets stronger, you get better at it.” - KJ Miller, Episode #165
“Goal setting methods: we pick a really big number, put it on the wall and we’re like that’s the number we’re going to hit next year.” - KJ Miller, Episode #165

Resources mentioned:

Google drive

Favorite book:

Amanda: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
KJ: Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan

Favorite quote:

KJ: “Well behaved women seldom make history.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
Amanda: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference.” - Robert Frost

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

KJ:

You are smarter and more capable than you’re probably giving yourself credit for
There are going to be a lot of people along the way that will doubt you, but you’re the expert in you
If it’s not fun, whatever the it is that you’re pursuing, you probably won’t be able to make it last

Amanda:

Get you a strong group of people around you
Stay curious
Take care of your emotional health

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.instagram.com/mentedcosmetics

Amanda Johnson and KJ Miller:

www.mentedcosmetics.com

hello@mentedcosmetics.com

www.instagram.com/iam_kj

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

CYLS 165: The Legal Disrupt - Changing the Face of Tech Law Through the World’s Top Companies with Kathryn Hurley Apr 16, 2019

Episode summary:

Kathryn talks about her journey to the legal team at Spotify. She talks about being a woman of color in a white-male-dominated world, the work ethic she employs to be successful, and how her family, friends and travel make it all worth it.

About our Guest:

Kathryn Hurley is the legal council for product and tech at Spotify. She spent five years on the legal team at MakerBot, a startup tech company based in New York that is leading the 3D-printing world. She earned her undergraduate degree at Howard University and attended Georgetown Law. She is also secretly the best driver she knows and would be a racecar driver if she wasn’t working in law.

Insights from this episode:

How to make yourself irreplaceable to your boss
How to get a great job (hint: it starts with applying for it)
How to manage your social media as a representative of a big company
How to make the most out of your networking
Strategies for managing a crazy hectic schedule

Quotes from the show:

On going after what you want: “Don’t be afraid to put in the work but know that it’s going to take a lot of work.” - Kathryn Hurley, Episode #165
On pursuing jobs or careers that are traditionally dominated by people outside your demographic group: “You have to try.” - Kathryn Hurley, Episode #165
“A lot of women, a lot of minorities, a lot of diverse candidates, we stop ourselves before we even try, because we don’t feel like we may get it and I think that that is something that has to absolutely stop.” - Kathryn Hurley, Episode #165

Resources mentioned:

Google calendar

Favorite book:

The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton
The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace by Jeff Hobbs

Favorite quote:

Kathryn’s motto: “I understand.” Because “so many conversations could just end when you let the other person know ‘I understand.’”

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Travel a lot
Save money; always have a nest
Invest in loving the people around you and receiving their love

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.instagram.com/katnaima

Kathryn Hurley:

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

CYLS 164: Switch Pivot and Win with Ahyiana Angel Apr 09, 2019

Episode summary:

Ahyiana tells her story of getting over her fears, again and again, opening herself to new experiences, and using that growth to get to where she really wanted to be. She talks about using the skills she gained working in a corporate environment to ultimately create the life she really wanted to be living, one that helps others to do the same.

About our Guest:

Ahyiana Angel is the founder of Mayzie Media, a boutique podcast production company and the host of her own podcast, Switch Pivot or Quit. In her show and through public speaking engagements she offers career advice to a diverse community of contemporary men and women. She spent about a decade as a public relations executive with the NBA before quitting to pursue her passion in creative writing. She then wrote and published a book before starting Mayzie Media and her podcast. Switch Pivot or Quit was ranked as one of the top six podcasts for career advice by girlboss.com and one of 12 women-produced podcasts you should be listening to by entrepreneur.com.

Insights from this episode:

Strategies for taking steps to let go
Strategies for successful branding
Strategies to start prioritizing yourself and your well-being as an entrepreneur
Strategies for cultivating a strong networking community
How to encourage growth in your personal life, not just your business

Quotes from the show:

I realized if I wanted things to be different in my life, yes there was some work I had to do, but I also had to allow myself to be open to the possibilities of what could happen.” - Ahyiana Angel, Episode #164
On travel: “It really helped me to trust myself.” - Ahyiana Angel, Episode #164
On branding: “In order to protect it, you have to really perfect it.” - Ahyiana Angel, Episode #164
“People cannot underestimate the value of consistency when you’re trying to build something.” - Ahyiana Angel, Episode #164
“My word is possible, because I’m in a space right now where I know that anything and everything is possible.” - Ahyiana Angel, Episode #164
“Instead of saying must be nice, she says it must be possible.” - Ahyiana Angel, Episode #164
“I’m not completely fearless, I just try to run up against fear sometimes.” - Ahyiana Angel, Episode #164

Resources mentioned:

Calendly

Favorite book:

The Success Principles by Jack Canfield

Favorite quote:

Ahyiana’s motto is: I am open to all the good the universe has for me. - from Jen Sincero’s book, “You are a Badass”

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Let go of expectations of perfection
Stop worrying about what other people might think or say
Embrace more of a fearless attitude

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.instagram.com/switchpivotorquit

Ahyiana Angel:

www.mayziemedia.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.

CYLS 163: The Hope Dealer: Secrets to Successfully Investing in America’s Future with Frank E. Brady Apr 02, 2019

Episode summary:

Frank talks about his journey and his continuous efforts to use his work to give back to his community. Frank also talks about how to maintain balance in a busy life and the importance of having a strong support network to help you do so.

About our Guest:

Frank E. Brady is an educator, entertainer and empowerment speaker. He is a poet, a performer and a mentor. He is the director of The Future Project, a nonprofit organization that empowers high schoolers to turn their passions into projects that impact their schools and communities. He has appeared on BET, NBC, SOUL TRAIN, NPR and, most recently, the Huffington Post. He is a frequent performer on the national poetry circuits and has worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest entertainers. He was recognized as a black man of distinction by Black Enterprise and Black Enterprise’s man of the year.

Insights from this episode:

Strategies for “serving your way to the top”
How to utilize influence and flip it from negative to positive
How to get out of unhelpful patterns in your life
How to leverage your opportunities

Quotes from the show:

“I just stayed the path and the course and cultivated my gift and my talents and my skill set to continue to leverage those opportunities to get on different stages, to get on different platforms while always maintaining a mindset of how do I use my talents to give back.” - Frank E Brady, Episode #163
“The storms of life will try you and as you’re going through the storms and the situations of life you have to be willing to just learn on the fly and learn what your relationship is to what you go through.” - Frank E Brady, Episode #163
“We all need personal boards of directors that can help us with different things.” - Frank E Brady, Episode #163
“That’s the worst place to stay at when you’re going through stuff is in your own head.” - Frank E Brady, Episode #163
“You can’t complain when you get what you ask for.” - Frank E Brady, Episode #163

Resources mentioned:

Google suite

Favorite book:

The Bible

Favorite quote:

“The dream is for free, but the hustle is sold separately.” - Unknown, attributed to a variety of people

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Don’t allow your pain to stop you from walking into your power; let it make you
Your past doesn’t determine where you’re going, it’s the setup for where you’re going
Don’t allow what people say about you to determine your future and your trajectory

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.instagram.com/frankebrady

Frank E. Brady:

https://twitter.com/FrankEBrady

www.facebook.com/Frank.E.BradyOfficialPage

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 162: HBCU Power: From Hampton to Harvard and On to Hollywood with Mia Hall Mar 26, 2019

Episode summary:

Mia talks openly about her life trajectory, how education played a big role in her success and how she is passing along what she has learned to young girls so they can achieve the same. She speaks with humor, humility and optimism about her journey and her future.

About our Guest:

Mia Hall is a content producer and the founder of Brown Girls GLOW, an organization dedicated to helping teen girls go from 'the hood' to Harvard and learn how to turn their college and career dreams into a reality. She is a writer, media producer and public speaker. Her past experience includes sports writing and producing for the WNBA, the Brooklyn Nets and NBC. She has written for Black Enterprise and The Root, among others.

Insights from this episode:

How going to an HBCU changed her outlook on what was possible
Strategies for going all in with what you want to achieve
Secrets to staying motivated and optimistic
Strategies for maintaining good relationships and mentorships
How to cater your communication to the situation

Quotes from the show:

“The way I’m going to contribute to the social justice movement I thought would be through media.” - Mia Hall, Episode #162
“People are like bank accounts. You can’t expect to withdraw without making a deposit.” - Mia Hall, Episode #162
“You have to not go into partnerships just looking for something for you. It has to be for the both of you.” - Mia Hall, Episode #162
“If you don’t intentionally keep yourself with motivation around you, then it will be hard.” - Mia Hall, Episode #162
“Mentorship has been the primary key to my success.” - Mia Hall, Episode #162
“Giving back to the community has been a great part of what has helped me to grow.” - Mia Hall, Episode #162
“Communication is so important, not only what you’re communicating but the way you do it.” - Mia Hall, Episode #162
“After high school, you don’t have to go to college but you have to live the rest of your life.” - Mia Hall, Episode #162
“Don’t do something to get rich. Do what you’re good in and get rich at it.” - Mia Hall, Episode #162

Resources mentioned:

iCalendar

Favorite book:

What Makes the Great Great by Dennis Kimbro
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Favorite quote:

Joshua 1:9: “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, do not be discouraged for the Lord your god will be with you wherever you go.”

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Don’t doubt yourself
You can’t grow in isolation, only in community
Be intentional about it

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.instagram.com/mia_hall19

Mia Hall:

Brown Girls Glow on Twitter

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 161: Secrets to Becoming Forbes’ 3rd Most Powerful Arab Business Woman with Dina Shoman Mar 19, 2019

Episode summary:

Dina shares stories from her journey growing up in a banking family, working in that world and then leaving to found her current startup. She talks about empowering girls through financial literacy and connection to their parents at a young age as well as what she believes leads to successful startups.

About our Guest:

Dina Shoman is the founder and CEO of inHerQuests, a New York City-based social enterprise dedicated to teaching girls under age 18 about money and finance through fun. Dina’s first product is a set of games meant to be played between kids and their parents that teach financial skills targeted toward specific age groups. She was formerly the EVP and Head of Branding at Arab Bank. She was also a member of the Board of Arab Bank plc, and its related entities in Switzerland, Tunis and Australia. In 2012, she was ranked Forbes’ 3rd most powerful Arab business woman.

Insights from this episode:

How to vet your team members
Strategies for connecting early lessons to future confidence for young girls
Secrets to successful startups
How to manage the loneliness that can come with entrepreneurship

Quotes from the show:

“Many girls are still not encouraged to learn these things and work and whatnot. I still hear the whole concept of marry rich and you’ll be all set.” - Dina Shoman, Episode #161
“You need to at least be able to feel confident enough that you can take care of yourself financially or at least feel confident that you could if that comes up.” - Dina Shoman, Episode #161
“Parents are trying to find things that are taking their kids away from the screens. Being a physical product actually creates that attention and quality time with parents.” - Dina Shoman, Episode #161
On entrepreneurship: “The most shocking part to me was how lonely it can be. You really have to have that support group around you.” - Dina Shoman, Episode #161
“Balance is definitely on my list of to-dos.” - Dina Shoman, Episode #161
“You have to make the time. You can’t get far, you can’t do much for your company if you’re not okay. Being okay needs that balance: mental, emotional and physical health.” - Dina Shoman, Episode #161

Resources mentioned:

Favorite book:

The Four Steps to the Epiphany by Steve Blank
Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Favorite quote:

“Man plans and god laughs.” - old Yiddish adage

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Follow something that you love doing and that you’re passionate about
Although planning doesn’t always go the way you want, some planning is very important
Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.instagram.com/dinashoman

Dina Shoman:

dina@inherquests.com

inherquests.com

https://twitter.com/DinaShoman

www.facebook.com/dinamahshoman/

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 160: The Path to Becoming an Award Winning Journalist with Natasha Alford Mar 12, 2019

Episode summary:

Natasha talks about her rise as an emerging journalist and the joy she gets from storytelling. She shares her path to her current career and sheds light on journalism as a career, why she thinks she is meant to do the work and how anyone can adopt attitudes of a journalist to enhance his or her life.

About our Guest:

Natasha Alford is the deputy editor of theGrio, a video centric news community devoted to sharing stories about African American communities that are underrepresented elsewhere in the media. At theGrio, she created and hosts the video series “True Story with Natasha Alford,” where she goes into the field and reports on stories impacting black America. She was awarded the 2018 Emerging Journalist of the Year Award from the National Association of Black Journalists. Before her career in journalism she worked in finance, as a middle school teacher and in education policy. Her passion for storytelling and a restless desire to see the whole world propelled her into journalism.

Insights from this episode:

Strategies for aspiring journalists
How to think like a journalist to inspire your own curiosity
The secret to converting critics to fans
Strategies for navigating the evolving nature of the journalism industry
Strategies to handle social media trolls

Quotes from the show:

“It’s not just about writing, it’s about being able to connect with people so they feel comfortable to share their story.” - Natasha Alford, Episode #160
“Don’t try to be likable, don’t try to do what you think people will like, because you just don’t know all the time how they’re going to react. The best thing you can do is be you.” - Natasha Alford, Episode #160
“I feel uniquely gifted to do this work.” - Natasha Alford, Episode #160
“I have a license to be curious.” - Natasha Alford, Episode #160
“You’d be surprised how many people aren’t curious. They just exist in the world and don’t ask questions.” - Natasha Alford, Episode #160
“Things can be good, as good as you imagine.” - Natasha Alford, Episode #160
“You can convert critics into fans if you remove ego out of the way and you listen before you react.” - Natasha Alford, Episode #160
“I think that we should be more present. You can put down the phones and converse and it’s cool. Being able to be in the moment with somebody else. That matters a lot to me.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #160
“A lot of times when you’re growing up in lower economic communities, it’s not cool to be smart. Things like that are a significant part of the culture that needs to be changed.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #160
“Being exposed to things that are greater than what you can even imagine just puts you on a different trajectory.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #160

Resources mentioned:

Favorite book:

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Favorite quote:

Natasha’s motto: “The greatest commandment is love.”

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

The fear is in your head
You have something that the world needs
You only get one life

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.instagram.com/natashasalford

Natasha Alford:

https://twitter.com/NatashaSAlford

https://www.facebook.com/natashasalfordnews

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 159: How to Win with Your Personal Finances with Arejay Martin Mar 05, 2019

Episode summary:

Arejay offers many, tangible strategies and resources for getting control of your finances. His passion and compassion for helping people manage their money is clear. He uses his experience in the finance world to leverage assistance to people across the financial spectrum today.

About our Guest:

Arejay Martin is a financial advisor, personal financial and business consultant and a public speaker. He is a creative, intelligent, new-generation speaker who hopes to pass on financial advice to any person, business or organization willing to listen. He has a master’s degree from North Carolina State University. He offers tailored presentations and workshops to individuals, nonprofits and corporations, educating underserved communities and offering simple, tangible, financial advice.

Insights from this episode:

Simple strategies to start budgeting and saving money today
How to decide which investments are best for you
Secrets to rising above negative feedback
Strategies for breaking down your lofty goals into manageable pieces

Quotes from the show:

On working a corporate, 9-5 job: “I had so much more energy and so much more to give and I wanted to find a way to continue it, so I thought about taking the knowledge that I’d gained over the years and using that to educate people.” - Arejay Martin, Episode #159
“The first step to beginning to grow is understanding where your money is going.” - Arejay Martin, Episode #159
“We try to save without knowing how much we’re spending and it doesn’t really work.” - Arejay Martin, Episode #159
On seeking a financial advisor even if you’re not wealthy: “Talk to somebody if you don’t have any money.” - Arejay Martin, Episode #159
On what he achieves for his clients: “Peace of mind.” - Arejay Martin, Episode #159
“Don’t think that you need to have big sums of money to play this game.” - Arejay Martin, Episode #159
“Sometimes you have to ask for help.” - Arejay Martin, Episode #159
“If you’re not gonna go after your dream, shut up about it.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #159

Resources mentioned:

Favorite book:

Think like an Artist by Will Gompertz

Favorite quote:

Arejay’s motto: “If you won’t do it somebody else will.”

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Make a plan
Don’t be too hard on yourself
Dream; shoot for the stars

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.instagram.com/arejaymartin

Arejay Martin:

https://arejaymartin.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 158: Shark Tank’s Missed 8 Million Dollar Opportunity with Ben Young Feb 26, 2019

Episode summary:

Ben talks about his journey and the pivots along the way to success as an entrepreneur. He offers insights on what it was really like to be on Shark Tank, the lessons he has learned as an entrepreneur and where he hopes to go next.

About our Guest:

Ben Young is the CEO of Sworkit by Nexercise Inc., an exercise app that makes it easy to incorporate physical activity into your everyday life, even for 5 minutes, no matter where you are. He also mentors entrepreneurs and people looking to start new businesses.

Insights from this episode:

Strategies for powerful networking
How to stay resilient as an entrepreneur
How to find a strong business partner
Strategies for developing a fitness plan
How to find the gems within negative feedback

Quotes from the show:

“You have to fall in love with the problem, not the solution.” - Ben Young, Episode #158
On networking: “You gotta be genuinely interested in people. - Ben Young, Episode #158
On finding the right business partner: “You have to be crystal clear and aligned on what the vision is.” - Ben Young, Episode #158
On how to not burn out: “Too many founders try to do too much themselves. You have to take vacations sometimes. Your body is not meant to go continually. You have to recharge.” - Ben Young, Episode #158

Resources mentioned:

Slack

Favorite book:

The One Thing by Gary Keller

Favorite quote:

Ben’s motto is: “Simply work it.”

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Have fun
Focus on the fact that it’s a journey
Write down your goals

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.instagram.com/sworkitfitness

Ben Young:

https://sworkit.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 157: Boomerang: From Millionaire to Broke to Millionaire with Stephen Hart Feb 19, 2019

Episode summary:

Stephen shares his entrepreneurial journey, talking openly about coming back from an early setback and how that experience shook his worldview. He talks about using his podcast to inspire his own children, and offers advice for staying optimistic and stoked on your own entrepreneurial journey.

About our Guest:

Stephen A. Hart is the founder and host of Trailblazers FM, a podcast dedicated to sharing the stories of successful black businessmen and women, the trailblazers and every day heros children of color have to look up to. He is also the marketing and communications director for Isles Media, LLC, just launched his own online course in branding and works as a brand consultant on the side, helping small businesses shine online. His podcast has over 150,000 listeners in over 100 countries around the world, and it is sponsored by the Campaign for Black Male Achievement.

Insights from this episode:

Strategies for getting back in the black
How to position yourself to develop new relationships
How to get over your inertia and make things happen
The secret to staying the course through negative feedback
The secret to working through the hard times in marriage

Quotes from the show:

“My entrepreneurial journey has been a series of ups and downs, but it started back at the womb.” - Stephen Hart, Episode #157
“Your why has nothing to do with money.” - Stephen Hart, Episode #157
“Relationships and experiences mean more than all the material things in the world.” - Stephen Hart, Episode #157
“My whole life has been me creating my path.” - Stephen Hart, Episode #157
“Don’t step into a relationship with ‘what you can do for me?’ Figure out how you can add value.” - Stephen Hart, Episode #157
“I don’t worry about each year. I worry about 10-year, what I call BHAs: Big Hairy Audacious goals.” - Stephen Hart, Episode #157

Resources mentioned:

Favorite book:

Why Should White Guys Have all the Fun by Reginald F. Lewis

Favorite quote:

Stephen’s motto is Legacy, which he defines as planting seeds in a garden you’ll never see.

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Take your time
Take action
Enjoy the journey

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.instagram.com/stephenahart

Stephen Hart:

https://twitter.com/stephenahart

https://stephenahart.com

https://tbpod.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 156: Black Wealth and Excellence 101 with Dennis Kimbro Feb 12, 2019

Episode summary:

Dennis Kimbro shares many rich stories from the thousands of interviews he has done over the last 25 years while conducting research on how black Americans earn their wealth, and what stops those who don’t. He speaks about his life philosophies, how he hopes to see the world change and how he uses his energy and his work to give back to younger black Americans.

About our Guest:

Dr. Dennis Kimbro is an author and a world renowned professor at Clark Atlanta University. He has spent his career interviewing people to glean as many success stories as possible from successful Americans of color. He earned a doctorate from Northwestern University where he studied wealth and poverty in underdeveloped nations. He is the author of five books, including Kevin’s personal favorite: “What Makes the Great Great.” He is a recipient of the Dale Carnegie Personal Achievement Award and In 2005, the National Black MBA Association presented him with the 2005 H. Naylor Fitzhugh award, recognizing him as one of the top professors in the nation.

Insights from this episode:

How to think about and organize your goals
Strategies for thinking about what is important to you
How millionaires build wealth by focusing on their financial legacy
How to use the internet to change the world
How saving your money and being selfless with your savings can lead to wealth
Strategies for incorporating mindfulness into all your actions
The secret to life in 3 hard questions
How to keep growing every day

Quotes from the show:

“You talk about humble and gratitude, that’s the foundation for everything I’ve done.” - Dennis Kimbro, Episode #156
“I never wanted to write a book. What I wanted to do was start a movement.” - Dennis Kimbro, Episode #156
On interviewing and observing millionaires of color: “They know that the underlying theme of this is like a relay race. A relay race isn’t won or lost on how fast the runners can advance. A relay race is won or lost on how capable one runner passes the baton from one to the next. Their relay race isn’t just creating wealth, but also using their life as a model to show black america a way out. - Dennis Kimbro, Episode #156
“A burning desire is an inner flame that cannot be extinguished. You will use the criticism, you will use the laughter, you will use their ridicule to propel you forward.” - Dennis Kimbro, Episode #156
“Service is the price you pay for the space you occupy.” - Dennis Kimbro, Episode #156, quoting Muhammad Ali
“All entrepreneurs do is solve problems. Solve a little problem, make a little money. Solve a big problem, and you make bank on bank.” - Dennis Kimbro, Episode #156
“Don’t find somebody that you can spend your life with, find somebody you can’t live without.” - Dennis Kimbro, Episode #156
“The biggest mistake that you will make in your life is to think that something outside of you will bring you happiness.” - Dennis Kimbro, Episode #156
Use your life in service of others, because money is not the bottom line. Love is the bottom line. - Dennis Kimbro, Episode #156
On what the world would miss if Kevin Y weren’t around: “They would miss the inspiration.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #156
“If someone is on the path to trying to achieve something then I’m all in. I genuinely love to see people win. It inspires me, because I believe in – I call it friendly competition. I want to see you go as high as you can so that I can have something to aspire to be.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #156

Resources mentioned:

Square

Favorite book:

Capitalism and Freedom by Milton Friedman
Lead the Field by Earl Nightingale

Favorite quote:

“Before you stand before your students today, never forget: A poor teacher complains. A good teacher explains. An excellent teacher demonstrates, but a great teacher inspires.” - W.E.B. Dubois

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Dream big dreams because they do come true
Believe in yourself when no one else will
Focus on serving others.

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.instagram.com/drdenniskimbro

Dennis Kimbro:

http://www.denniskimbro.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 155: Digital Nomad 101 - How to Run Your Company From Abroad with Brandon Inniss Feb 05, 2019

Episode summary:

Brandon shares his experience and knowledge as an American businessman who has been running his business abroad for five years. He talks about the biggest challenges and the biggest things he has gained from his travels.

About our Guest:

Brandon Inniss is the founder and owner of Construction Clean Partners, a national business that connects construction cleaning companies with highly profitable jobs. For the last five years, Brandon has been running his company while traveling abroad, making him quite the digital nomad and someone whose brain we wanted to pick.

Insights from this episode:

How to handle your taxes while living abroad
Strategies for managing your time while running a business abroad
The secret to quickly picking up new languages
Strategies for vetting cities around the globe before you settle there
The real secret to networking: go global

Quotes from the show:

On the number one thing Brandon has learned abroad: “How brainwashed Americans are. We all really think the same, because we are all engulfed in the same energy frequency.” - Brandon Inniss, Episode #155
On building a global network of friends: “I can go stay with friends in many countries. When you’re abroad and you’re doing similar things, you create bonds with people quicker.” - Brandon Inniss, Episode #155
“You learn the most when you are in a new environment and when you’re around new culture.” - Brandon Inniss, Episode #155
“I used to think that money was everything. I still think it’s important to have money to be comfortable and have less stress in our society, so I still think it’s important but I don’t think I should be doing things I don’t like.” - Brandon Inniss, Episode #155
“I let fear and comfortability hold me back, so I’m happy to be out of that.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #155

Resources mentioned:

Favorite book:

The 4-hour workweek by Timothy Ferriss

Favorite quote:

Brandon’s motto: “Find a way or make one.”

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Time freedom
Location freedom
Financial freedom

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.facebook.com/brandon.inniss

Brandon Innis:

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 154: Tangible Ways To Put Your Passion, Dreams and Podcast In Drive with Rana Campbell Jan 29, 2019

Episode summary:

Rana talks transparently about her foray into podcasting, what helped her gain an audience and what her strategies where for growth. She speaks insightfully about her own hangups and fears, shedding light on challenges many entrepreneurs face in a humorous and honest way.

About our Guest:

Rana Campbell is the host of the Dreams in Drive podcast, a show for creatives and lifestyle entrepreneurs who want to take their dreams out of park and put them in drive. She is a graduate of Princeton, where she studied sociology. She also owns her own marketing consultancy and by day, works in marketing for an e-commerce fulfillment center. She has always had a passion for storytelling, so she is dovetailing that with her background in sociology and marketing to create great podcasts.

Insights from this episode:

The secret to using research skills to get where you want to go
Strategies for achieving growth early on in podcasting
How to use social media effectively to grow your audience
Strategies for settling up interviews with superstars
Secrets to goal setting that doesn’t overwhelm you

Quotes from the show:

“That’s how I kind of got into the media world is because there was no place for me so I created my own place.” - Rana Campbell, Episode #154
“I want to say I always had the entrepreneurial spirit, but it wasn’t until I was kind of forced to put that into action when I realized that okay I think I got what it takes.” - Rana Campbell, Episode #154
“If you can research and you can figure it out, you can do anything.” - Rana Campbell, Episode #154
“I’m very good at figuring out what my schedule is, figuring out what my goal is, and then minimizing distractions.” - Rana Campbell, Episode #154
“When you have guests on your show you’re able to leverage the audience of your guests in order to grow.” - Rana Campbell, Episode #154
“The biggest struggle in a lot of people’s journeys isn’t the tactical logistical things, it’s those inner things, like convincing yourself that you’re worthy of it and not being scared of failure.” - Rana Campbell, Episode #154
“Nobody is going to show up for you if you don’t show up for yourself.” - Rana Campbell, Episode #154

Resources mentioned:

iCalendar

Favorite book:

Guerilla Marketing by Jay Conrad Levinson

Favorite quote:

“Jump and build your wings on the way down.” - Olori Swank, celebrity stylist

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Know who you are
Be a student of research
Be consistent - show up every day.

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.instagram.com/dreamsindrive

Rana Campbell:

https://twitter.com/dreamsindrive

www.facebook.com/dreamsindrive

www.dreamsindrive.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 153: A Passion for Fashion: How Two New York Gentlemen Have Revived Custom Men’s Wear with Ilbert Sanchez & Jean G. Francillion Jan 22, 2019

Episode summary:

Ilbert and Jean talk about their business venture, Garcon Couture, a luxury menswear line that is taking New York by storm. In just two years, the two are making strides into the upper echelons of New York’s fashion clientele. The two talk about how to work as a team and keep things authentic in the face of rapid success.

About our Guests:

Ilbert Sanchez and Jean G. Francillion are the co-founders of Garcon Couture, a luxury menswear line based in New York City and Miami. The two met in college at SUNY Cobleskill. Ilbert, was born in Honduras, he’s known for his design work and leads the business side of the venture. Jean, born in Haiti, comes to Garcon Couture from over a decade in the fashion industry and is the leader on the tailoring and fitting side of things.

Insights from this episode:

Secret elements to a strong business partnership
How to navigate negative feedback and keep moving forward
Strategies to manage your time better as an entrepreneur
How to give your clients an unforgettable experience

Quotes from the show:

“When it comes to us and our Caribbean roots, it’s just working hard, and finding ways and finding alternatives to take things to the next level.” - Ilbert Sanchez, Episode #153
“He’s way different than I am and I’m way different than he is, but it comes together in a perfect form and it works.” - Jean Francillion, Episode #153
“I’ve removed so much negativity from my life. Those people that aren’t good for you but that are around, I’ve removed a lot of them.” - Ilbert Sanchez, Episode #153
“I know what I want and whoever is not willing to help me get there or will downgrade me and things like that, they’re not in my life.” - Jean Francillion, Episode #153
“Me and Ilbert can definitely tell who wants to be around just for the show and who wants to work.” - Jean Francillion, Episode #153
“We want to make sure that once you walk through that door, that experience is like no other.” - Ilbert Sanchez, Episode #153
“I’ve learned what things aren’t important and what things are, and that has helped the growth of the company, because I’m more focused now.” - Ilbert Sanchez, Episode #153
Ilbert on the pros of entrepreneurship: “That feeling is amazing though, that feeling is like no other. Especially – I used to work in corporate America – That feeling is just unmatched: running your own company, you’re your own boss, so you have so much control of things.” - Ilbert Sanchez, Episode #153
“The support in my family is extremely important, and that would have taken a toll on me had it went a different way, but because I’ve had their support, that has given me so much drive and push and motivation.” - Ilbert Sanchez, Episode #153

Resources mentioned:

Google Sheets

Favorite book:

Ilbert: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Jean: The E-Myth by Michael Gerber

Favorite quote:

Ilbert: “F*** it let the fish burn, red or blue pill you live and you learn.” - Jay-Z
Jean’s motto: Live life to the fullest.

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

From Ilbert:

Put yourself first
Be authentic with who you are and who you want to become
Set goals and be very optimistic about all of the goals you’re setting

From Jean:

Be organized and set your goals
Have a team
Believe in yourself

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.instagram.com/garconcouture

Ilbert Sanchez and Jean G Francillion:

www.instagram.com/ijaysanchez

www.instagram.com/mrgilly87

mail@garconcouture.com

jfrancilon@garconcouture.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 152: Secrets to Beauty Startup Success with Jennifer Lambert Jan 15, 2019

Episode summary:

Jennifer takes listeners through the journey of transitioning from working as a corporate lawyer to founding a business she’s super passionate about. She talks about her process of getting out of her own way to start the business, and how important it was for her to have a solid business partner, a strong network of people and strong female role models leading the way.

About our Guest:

Jennifer Lambert is the co-founder and COO of Swivel Beauty, an app that connects women of color with hair stylists and hair stylists with clients seeking their services. The business empowers women of color by moving toward a world where it’s just as easy for women of color to find talented, affordable and skilled stylists as it is for women of any other ethnicity. She is also a Harvard-trained lawyer, specializing in general corporate mergers and acquisitions as well as cyber security law before leaving to start Swivel.

Insights from this episode:

Secrets behind asking for help
Strategies for growing your brand
Tips for vetting your partners
Tips for becoming the founder of a business
Strategies for navigating the peaks and valleys of entrepreneurship
Strategies for pinning down your business priorities

Quotes from the show:

On working in corporate law: “I would be there five nights in a row until 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning and just be like what if I was doing something for myself?” - Jennifer Lambert, Episode #152
On the absence of beauty tech products geared toward women of color: “We saw this huge opportunity in the existing products that were out there.” - Jennifer Lambert, Episode #152
On staying motivated when Swivel first launched: “The soulessness of corporate law and the excitement and opportunity of starting a new venture: That alone was fuel to keep the fire going for a while.” - Jennifer Lambert, Episode #152
“I’m being more aware of wellness and making some time for myself each day.” - Jennifer Lambert, Episode #152
“The secret is you’re never really ready, you just have to do it.” - Jennifer Lambert, Episode #152
“I try to live in a way that I’m leaving positive residue on people.” - Jennifer Lambert, Episode #152

Resources mentioned:

Favorite book:

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

Favorite quote:

“People won’t remember what you said, but they’ll remember how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Get over the stuff that’s preventing you from accepting yourself
Do the things that you want to do even if they’re scary
Get out of your own way

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

https://www.swivelbeauty.com/

Jennifer Lambert:

info@swivelbeauty.com

www.instagram.com/swivelbeauty - shoot them a DM

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 151: Last Woman Standing: Secrets to Scaling the Music Industry with Toya Brown Jan 08, 2019

Episode summary:

Toya takes us through her journey of rising through the ranks at Patchwerk and talks honestly about what she has learned along the way. She offers amazing insights into the music industry and advice for young women seeking a similar career path.

About our Guest:

Toya Brown is the studio manager at Patchwerk Recording Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. She has worked at Patchwerk for over 11 years, and has been in the music industry for even more than that, securing several internships throughout her time in college, including with MTV and Universal Group. She is currently working on a new project, Toya in my pocket, which is a mobile personal assistant application. She has extensive experience in marketing, administration and project management, among many other things.

Insights from this episode:

How internships can lead to other opportunities
How determination and perseverance can make you stand out
How to avoid burnout by giving yourself a vacation or just a change of scenery
Strategies for young women hoping to get into the music industry
Secrets to becoming more self aware

Quotes from the show:

“There’s no way I’m gonna turn down MTV twice.” - Toya Brown, Episode #151
“Doing the jobs that other people didn’t want to do really pushed me to the next level.” - Toya Brown, Episode #151
“I’ve never treated anybody as less than I, no matter how far I progressed.” - Toya Brown, Episode #151
“The power of relationships and networking is what is taking people and keeping people in their businesses for a long time.”- Kevin Y Brown, Episode #151
“Be passive and aggressive: aggressive because it’s a tough industry and it’s easy to be taken advantage of but be passive because you don’t want to do bad business or give off bad vibes.” - Toya Brown, Episode #151
“Be firm in your own beliefs; be confident in your conviction.” - Toya Brown, Episode #151
“Creative people were my heros when I was younger, now real people are my heros. I see so much fraud and negativity in people. I see how people treat other people and it brings me down a lot, so when I can find somebody who is a genuine person, somebody who gives back, somebody who has positive energy – those are my heros.” - Toya Brown, Episode #151
“I feel like I’m able to get more accomplished by facing my fears.” - Toya Brown, Episode #151
“If anybody doesn't want to work their shift, send me your hours, I will work all of your hours for you and that’s what I did, I worked all of the hours for everybody who didn’t want to work their hours.” - Toya Brown, Episode #151
“When you continue to work you learn how to do everything.” - Toya Brown, Episode #151
“You gotta be firm in your own beliefs and you gotta be confident in your conviction.” - Toya Brown, Episode #151
“Make money but don't let money control you.” - Toya Brown, Episode #151
“Don’t go to jail but do what you want to do.” - Toya Brown, Episode #151
“A lot of time when there's no expectation, that’s where the opportunity lies.” - Toya Brown, Episode #151

Resources mentioned:

Microsoft suite

Favorite book:

Life and Def by Russell Simmons

Favorite quote:

“Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” - George Addair

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Do whatever makes you happy
Create a healthy work life balance
Be smart: make good decisions, make money, but don’t let it control you

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.instagram.com/toya_elise

Toya Brown:

www.twitter.com/toya_elise

toya.brown@gmail.com or toya@pathwerk.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 150: Disrupting the Real Estate Market with Mark Smukler Jan 01, 2019

Episode summary:

Mark goes deep detailing his entrepreneurial journey and the many insights he has picked up along the way. He talks about how his past work experiences facilitated his success as an entrepreneur and takes listeners through his meticulous and thorough thought processes.

About our Guest:

Mark Smukler is the co-founder and CEO of Bixby, a tech company that works with real estate professionals to improve their relationship with their tenants and the living experience of the tenants. Bixby created a cloud-based app to facilitate more efficient and sustainable relationships between tenants and property managers. His past experience includes work as a business consultant and web developer.

Insights from this episode:

How to vet your potential future employees
The secret to sticking through the first six months of your startup
How to use your past experiences to propel current success
Secrets about the endurance it takes to start your own company
Insights on the different skill sets needed for a founder vs a CEO
Success hacks for startups
How to build a great team

Quotes from the show:

“Entrepreneurship is building something from nothing.” - Mark Smukler, Episode #150
“Just because you’re passionate about travel or music doesn’t mean you’re the right person to start a business in that industry.” - Mark Smukler, Episode #150
“It’s really tough to start a company, not to mention starting it on your own.” - Mark Smukler, Episode #150
“We’re not hanging around playing ping pong all day. We’re not playing ping pong at all.” - Mark Smukler, Episode #150
“The best no is a quick no.” - Mark Smukler, Episode #150
“Not only do I not want to celebrate success by myself, but I’m also not likely to find success by myself.” - Mark Smukler, Episode #150
“You don’t learn the skills and processes of starting a company in your curriculum at school.” - Mark Smukler, Episode #150
“Feed your ambition...It will be worth it only when you’re doing what you want to do.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #150
“On those days when it’s no for breakfast, no for lunch, no for dinner its having a call and somebody saying you are doing a great job don’t give up” - Mark Smukler, Episode #150

Resources mentioned:

Slack

Favorite book:

The Lean Startup

Favorite quote:

“Everything will be okay in the end, and if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” - attributed to various people throughout history, this quote may have originated as an Indian proverb, maybe from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. In contemporary writing, it has been attributed to Brazilian writers Paulo Coelho and Fernando Sabino and more recently, it is often attributed to John Lennon.

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Believe in yourself
Find a community that can support you
Don’t stop until you’ve reached your goal

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

www.twitter.com/smukleberry

Mark Smukler:

www.instagram.com/smukleberry

mark@livebixby.co

Bixby:
Livebixby.co – property managers can take a free tour of the app and access free app trials; tenants can download and use the app even if their property management company doesn’t use Bixby to send rent checks easier and access discounts from their favorite brands.

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 149: CEO Talks: Behind The Scenes Business Checkup’s with Todd Wahnish and Kevin Y. Brown Dec 25, 2018

About our guest:

Back for another great episode: Todd Wahnish, the founder and CEO of Clever Era, a business that helps bootstrapped entrepreneurs build businesses. He works with people even if they have no idea, no capital and no technical ability, offering personalized consulting to help businesses get started and achieve the growth they seek.

Episode summary:

Kevin and Todd share a view from the inside, transparently talking about what is working and what they’re hoping to improve upon in their respective businesses. They share strategies for getting their first clients and how to stand out in their industries.

Insights from this episode:

Strategies for reeling in your first few clients
Tips for defining who your ideal client is
Secrets to working with customers willing to pay a higher price point
Strategies for developing a sense of community with your clients
Secrets on authenticity and how it can lead you to success

Quotes from the show:

“It’s really not about the money at the end of the day. It’s about having somebody use the thing that you built and seeing the results that they get.” - Todd Wahnish, Episode #149
“If you’re competing for editing, you’re competing on a downward pricing spiral. The moment that you become more than just an editing service, the floodgates will open.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #149
“There is a tendency to believe that when you charge more for a service that your customer or client will be very hands on, and what ends up happening is the opposite.” - Todd Wahnish, Episode #149
“The thing that drives us and makes Podcast Laundry unique, is the fact that I’ve actually taken a live radio show, turned it into a podcast and then got it nationally syndicated.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #149
“It’s the relationships and the way that you treat people that are going to make a difference.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #149
“If you’re doing something and someone is paying you for it, then that is the validation.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #149

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

Todd Wahnish:

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 148: Pivoting For Passion: Secrets Of The Daily Grind with Colin Morgan Dec 18, 2018

About our Guest:

Colin Morgan went from professional golfer to finding his passion as an entrepreneur. As an expert in helping leaders create meaningful messages for their organizations, his business, Plan 2 Profit, offers solutions to visionary business leaders. His podcast, The Daily Grind, examines the behaviors and habits that make people success across a diverse spectrum of fields.

Episode Summary

Colin Morgan shares his experience running a successful business. From finding sponsors for his podcast to creating goal setting strategies, following his passion has helped Colin advance as an entrepreneur.

Insight from this episode:

Secret lessons to learn about why businesses fail.
Secrets for finding sponsors for your podcast.
Colin shares his two tips for finding sponsors specific to your business.
How to use your passion to drown out the negativity.
How coaches and mentors create accountability.
Strategies for increasing productivity through interval computer-use.

Quotes from the show:

“You have to find heroes that are really going to motivate you to do things that you otherwise think you couldn’t.” - Colin Morgan, Episode 148
“You have to create a really solid foundation of who you are. You need to get really self aware of who are and what you want.” - Colin Morgan, Episode 148
“If you get comfortable… when you do face adversity, it’s very hard to overcome that adversity. But if you’re putting yourself into uncomfortable situations everyday, it’s easy to overcome that adversity.” - Colin Morgan, Episode 148
“Make your haters your motivators.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 148
“Accountability is what’s going to push you forward.” - Colin Morgan, Episode 148

Resources Mentioned:

Calendly

Favorite Book:

Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio

Favorite Quote:

“It’s impossible until someone else does it.” - Unknown
“We all get butterflies. But our goal is to get those butterflies to fly in formation.” - Colin Morgan’s father

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Get clear on what you want
Become really self aware of what you’re good at and what you’re not
Find someone to help you accomplish your goals

Episode Sponsor:

This episode was sponsored by http://www.podcastlaundry.com

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

www.instagram.com/colinmorgan.dgp

Colin Morgan:

plan2profitgroup.com

Dailygrindpodcast.com

www.instagram.com/dailygrindpodcast

twitter.com/colinmorgandg

twitter.com/p2pgroup

www.facebook.com/colin.morgan.583

www.facebook.com/plan2profitgroup

www.facebook.com/dailygrindpodcast

www.linkedin.com/in/colin-morgan

www.linkedin.com/company/theplan2profitgroup

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

Artwork GUIDe6b58316fa48414bb4bebb3ef4d95642 CreatedMonday, Dec 10, 2018 9:16 PM Last UpdatedMonday, Dec 10, 2018 9:16 PM

CYLS 147: Podcast Growth Hacks with Gregg Clunis Dec 11, 2018

About our Guest:

Gregg Clunis is a lifelong entrepreneur and side-hustle master. He is the founder of Podsimply, a business marketing company that helps experts create high-performing podcasts. He is also the host of his own podcast, Tiny Leaps, Big Changes, that is being published as a book in January 2019. Gregg’s show was ranked in the top 100 self-help podcasts.

Episode summary:

Gregg shares his own journey to podcasting and strategies for others interested in starting their own show. He talks about how to get and keep listeners, how to build and protect your brand, and what it really takes to turn around in 10 years and see you’ve built the life you always dreamed of.

Insights from this episode:

How side gigs can give you a real boost
Secrets to the practical necessities involved in changing your life
Strategies to asking for help in your life and your business
Secrets to getting to 1 million downloads on your podcast
How to deal with negative feedback
Strategies to avoid burning out when you’re starting a podcast

Quotes from the show:

On why Gregg started his show: “I wanted to create something that focused exclusively on that piece, the piece no one wants to talk about. The part where you have to grind for 10 years before it actually shows up and affects your life in a real way.” - Gregg Clunis, Episode #147
“The reason I am where I am now is because of all these little decisions along the way that at the time, I thought didn’t matter.” - Gregg Clunis, Episode #147
“I dive headfirst into pretty much everything.” - Gregg Clunis, Episode #147
On standing out as you’re starting a podcast: “Be willing to do the thing no one else wants to do.” - Gregg Clunis, Episode #147
On creating real connections with your listeners and making yourself accessible: “It will work if you’re willing to give your audience the time of day and not act like you’re above it in some way.” - Gregg Clunis, Episode #147
The number one factor that has allowed Kevin to get to where he is now: “Ambition… the undying belief that I can do anything I put my mind to.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #147
“Part of entrepreneurship is that we have success amnesia: we forget about the amazing things that we’ve done and that we’ve accomplished, so sometimes we need to look at where we started from.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #147
“Even if you have thin skin and it hurts, fine. Keep doing it anyway and it won’t hurt anymore” - Gregg Clunis, Episode #147
“Dont be afraid to go with the opportunities right in front of you, even if it doesnt necessarily match with what you’ve always plotted as your life’s path” - Gregg Clunis, Episode #147

Resources mentioned:

Favorite book:

Favorite quote:

The statement Gregg uses to sign off at the end of each episode of his podcast: “All big changes come from the tiny leaps you take every day.”

3 Keys to create your best life:

It’s not going to happen fast (no such thing as overnight success)
By the time you get to the point where you have created the life you want, your goal post will have moved, so take the time to look back and recognize what your initial goal was – give yourself some credit
Don’t be afraid to change the path. Don’t turn down opportunities even if they don’t lead where you always planned to go

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

Gregg Clunis:

Gregg’s ask: listen to any 2 episodes of his podcast, Tiny Leaps, Big Changes (available wherever you listen to podcasts), and then let him know what you think on Twitter, @greggclunis, or on Instagram, @greggclunis.

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 146: Startup Confessions and Exits with TejPaul Bhatia Dec 04, 2018

About our Guest:

TejPaul Bhatia is the New York startup lead for Google Cloud. Before that, he was an entrepreneur in residence at Citi Ventures. He was the COO for Explain Everything, an interactive screencasting whiteboard app. He was also the CEO and co-founder of Chatwala, a mobile video chat app and Kaptur (acquired), an app that enables users to aggregate photos taken at an event in seconds. He also worked for ESPN as the senior manager of product and international strategy. TejPaul is still an active member of the startup community in New York.

Episode summary:

TejPaul Bhatia shares an honest story about his journey from founding to startups to ultimately leaving that world. He talks about what happens when your entrepreneurial dreams take you away from who you truly are, and how having a “normal” job has provided more space in his life for authenticity.

Insights from this episode:

Strategies to find investors and generate capital for your startup
Secrets to handling rejection
Secrets to the power of networks and community
Strategies to bring yourself into the present moment, as often as possible
Tips to make physical and mental health a priority in your life
How to leverage the passion and excitement entrepreneurs possess into opportunities
Secrets to finding gratitude for your life

Quotes from the show:

“With my first startup, I probably hung on to some of the ideas months, maybe years longer than I should have.” - TejPaul Bhatia, Episode #146
“As entrepreneurs we’re relentlessly optimistic, because we have to be, because the odds are against us, but if you can find your truth and hold onto that optimism but try to be yourself throughout it, not lose yourself, you have a much better chance of balance no matter what happens after.” - TejPaul Bhatia, Episode #146
“Those moments when I could be present, were so powerful. They’re so liberating; so freeing.” - TejPaul Bhatia, Episode #146
“It sometimes takes burnout to know how not to get burned out.” - TejPaul Bhatia, Episode #146
On receiving criticism: “Take what serves you and ignore what doesn’t.” - TejPaul Bhatia, Episode #146
“You have to be affectionate and supportive of yourself before you can do that for anyone else.” - TejPaul Bhatia, Episode #146
“Know what you want, but also act on it immediately.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #146
“Presence is the most powerful thing that we possess.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #146
“The past and the future don’t actually exist, they’re constructs that exist in the computer that is our brain.” - TejPaul Bhatia, Episode #146

Resources mentioned:

iCloud

Favorite book:

Favorite quote:

TejPaul’s motto: Nothing is that important except those things that are really important, like family.

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

You have to do you
Enjoy it – the purpose of life is to live it
To the best of your ability, make it better for other people

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

TejPaul Bhatia:

Email Kevin to get connected with TejPaul.

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 145: Passion Hacks and Secrets to Making Money Online with Matt Giovanisci Nov 27, 2018

About our Guest:

Matt Giovanisci is a self-proclaimed “Jack of all trades.” He is the co-host of the Listen Money Matters podcast and hosts the Money Lab podcast, a show to share content from his website Money Lab, which is all about personal finance and online entrepreneurship, in audio form. He is also a graphic designer and a musician and leverages all of his skills in his quest to avoid ever working for someone else again.

Episode Summary:

Matt shares his journey of creating a successful online media business, including his pitfalls and the insights he gained. He talks about what it takes to wake up at 6 a.m. every day, be your own boss and stay inspired.

Insights from this episode:

Tips for how to leverage your past experience to meet your current needs; eg. you were once in a rock band? That probably means you know how to make a great website
Strategies for having the best content on the internet
Why challenging yourself to keep to a strict timeline can propel you to a better end result
How to come back from a falling out with a friend and build the friendship back up
Matt shares his secret to successfully working for himself
The secret to meeting your goals is fervently keeping track of your progress, every single day

Quotes from the show:

“I practice what I call passion-mashing.” - Matt Giovanisci, Episode #145
“I’m just a hobbyist at all of these things. I continue to write music even that no one hears, I continue to hone my audio skills, my writing skills, even if no one’s on the consumer end of that.” - Matt Giovanisci, Episode #145
“Follow your hobbies, you never know when you might need them.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #145
“Sticking a timeline on something forces you to trim the fat.” - Matt Giovanisci, Episode #145
“I would do anything not to work for anyone else again.” - Matt Giovanisci, Episode #145
“If you don’t have a good reason why, you’re going to fail.” - Matt Giovanisci, Episode #145
“Follow your passion; do what’s in your heart.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #145

Resources mentioned:

Asana

Favorite book:

Jim Henson: The Biography

Favorite quote:

“Do what you love and the money will come easy.” – Arlen Crouch

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Find your why
Focus on your strength
Make sure you’re happy every day

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

Listen money matters podcast

Matt Giovanisci:

Moneylab.co

Money lab podcast

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 144: Raising Benjamin: Teaching Millennials Finance Through Social Media with Carl Joseph Black Nov 20, 2018

About our Guest:

Carl Joseph Black is currently balancing being a law student and being the founder of Raising Benjamin. Seeing a need for financial literacy and empowerment among minority communities, he created the platform which is dedicated to increasing wealth among young Black millennials by sharing finance insights. Using the knowledge that he gained while completing his Bachelors in finance from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Carl began his financial career at JP Morgan. There, he spent 4 years working in risk, research, legal, and compliance.

Episode Summary

Carl Joseph Black is bringing his financial expertise to the masses through a chatbot, Benjamin, that can answer users’ questions in real-time. He credits his rise to being disciplined and finding the confidence to take unconventional steps to success.

Insight from this episode:

Secrets for differentiating discipline versus a habit and why you should know the difference between the two.
How to build confidence by researching your field.
Strategies for giving people in your life active and passive support.
Carl Joseph Black explains why it is critical to find a partner who understands what you are doing and supports you.
Strategies for setting micro-goals based on actionable steps.

Quotes from the show:

“One of the most important things that I continue to share is using different spaces to learn more about business.” - Carl Joseph Black, Episode 144
“The fastest way to build wealth is to invest. The second fastest is to work.” - Carl Joseph Black quoting his father, Episode 144
“The practice of discipline is doing something you don’t want to do consistently.” - Carl Joseph Black, Episode 144
“Don’t you ever stop the fight, because it’s bigger than you.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 144

Resources Mentioned:

Favorite Book:

Finite and Infinite Games by James Carse

Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio

Favorite Quote:

“Price is what you pay, value is what you get.” - Warren Buffett

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Believe in yourself
Be consistent
Really respect your time

Episode Sponsor:

This episode was sponsored by http://www.podcastlaundry.com

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

www.instagram.com/cjoeblack

Carl Joseph Black:

www.raisingbenjamin.com

bit.ly/itsmebenjamin

www.instagram.com/raisebenjamin

twitter.com/cjoeblack

twitter.com/RaisingBenjamin

www.facebook.com/raisingbenjamin

www.linkedin.com/in/carljosephblack

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS #143 A Fearless Visionary – The New Archetype of Asian Women with Jean Joo Irvin Nov 14, 2018

About our Guest:

Jean Joo is an entrepreneur, designer and closet foodie. She is one of the co-founders of Creator’s Group, a media content creation firm based in Kansas City, Kansas. Jeani uses her skills as a designer and her background in product management to create brand awareness and amplify the voices of innovative and exciting businesses in Kansas City. She is also fiercely passionate about inspiring other Asian-American women to pursue their passions and believe in their potential.

Episode Summary

Jeani shares openly about the twists and turns that lead her to eventually co-found Creator’s Group. She believes that failure is often a part of entrepreneurial pursuits, and she encourages other entrepreneurs to lean into that uncertainty.

Insight from this episode:

Strategies to manage and build a team
Why hiring slow and firing quick is the best strategy when building a team
Secrets to find fulfillment by going against social norms
Secrets to the power of an inner circle
Strategies for goal crushing
Solutions and triumphs of networking

Quotes from the show:

“People would ask me ‘what do you want to be in the future?’ and I would say, ‘I don’t know because I haven’t created my title yet.’” - Jeani Joong, Episode #143
“The secret is no entrepreneur really knows what they’re doing.” - Jeani Joong, Episode #143
“I think emotional intelligence is a lot more important than intelligence itself. EQ over IQ all the time.” - Jeani Joong, Episode #143
“Traveling will meet you where you are in your life, and it will teach you so much and open up so many different perspectives.” - Jeani Joong, Episode #143
On the limited number of successful Asian women portrayed in the media: “It affects your mentality on what you think is possible.” - Jeani Joong, Episode #143
On failure: “Every time I push past that fear, only great things happen on the other side.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #143

Favorite Book:

Cradle to Cradle

Favorite Quote:

In true entrepreneurial spirit, Jeani offered a motto of her own creation:

“Don’t be afraid of failure. It’s a learning tool.” - Jeani Joong

Resources mentioned:

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Know yourself
Get over your fear of failures
Trust your instincts even if it’s wrong

Stay Connected:

Show Social Media:

Kevin Y Brown:

Jeani Joong:

Instagram: @jeani0 or @creatorsgrp

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 142: Secrets Behind The Multi-Million Dollar Podcast Empire with John Lee Dumas Nov 06, 2018

About our Guest:

As the host of the Entrepreneurs on Fire podcast, John Lee Dumas interviews inspiring entrepreneurs and has completed more than 200 episodes. With more than a million listens each month and seven figures of revenue, the podcast has become a rapid success. John Lee has taken elements from his early life in Maine and time in the Army to create a profitable business that also focuses on the needs of its audience.

Episode Summary

John Lee Dumas provides methods for success as an entrepreneur that also can be used in your personal life. He focuses on how to create a daily process for making moves in your business.

Insight from this episode:

Secrets to improving your life through journaling and meditation.
How to find a mentor that corresponds with your business direction.
Strategies for obtaining information from your audience to expand your business.
Why you should focus on identifying solutions to your audience’s struggles.
John Lee’s Three Success Principles:
- 1) Pareto’s Principle
- 2) Parkinson’s Law
- 3) Pomodoro Technique
- Strategies for using funnels in your business.

John Lee shares his personal success hacks.
Kevin shares his daily routine, AMBITION:
- Affirmation
- Motivation
- Body
- Intelligence
- Thankfulness
- FInances
- Opportunities
- Nutrition
- Schedule

Quotes from the show:

“I had a mentor and that mentor was key. I invested in myself, somebody who was currently where I wanted to be.” - John Lee Dumas, Episode 142
“You have to find a mastermind. Because you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” - John Lee Dumas, Episode 142
“When you compare, you will always dispare.” - John Lee Dumas, Episode 142
“The one and only person you should truly be comparing yourself to is you yesterday.” - John Lee Dumas, Episode 142
“Comparison is the death of progress.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 142
“You need to make sure that you are valuing your time at a very high level. And keeping big blocks of time for yourself to do the meaningful work and go on the meaningful projects that you need to move your business forward.” - John Lee Dumas, Episode 142
“Successful entrepreneurs have one big idea that they go all in on.” - John Lee Dumas, Episode 142

Resources Mentioned:

YourBigIdea.IO
Real Revenue
FunnelOnFire.com
The Freedom Journal
Scheduleonce.com
What Makes the Great Great: Strategies for Extraordinary Achievement by Dennis Kimbro

Favorite Book:

The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Disciplines Into Massive Success by John Olson - John Lee Dumas

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - Kevin Y. Brown

Favorite Quote:

“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” - Albert Einstein

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Get clear about what your one big idea is.
Install a morning routine that is a mandatory part of your day.
Prioritize sleep.

Episode Sponsor:

This episode was sponsored by http://www.podcastlaundry.com

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

www.instagram.com/johnleedumas

John Lee Dumas:

Eofire.com

eofire.com/podcast

twitter.com/johnleedumas

www.facebook.com/johnleedumas

www.facebook.com/EOFire

linkedin.com/entrepreneuronfire

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 141: Pt. 2 Life Or Death - Her Journey To Joy, Fulfillment and Health with Cassandra Nuamah Oct 30, 2018

About our Guest:

Cassandra Nuamah is a danceaholic, travelista, and a fitness guru. As a certified personal trainer, group exercise instructor, and health and wellness coach, she lost 50lbs and transformed her lifestyle. Using her infectious energy, Cassandra has made it her mission to help individuals, groups, and organizations to live happier and healthier lives using methods and techniques that she uses herself. Originally from Ghana, Cassandra and mother, the founder of Kukuwafitness.com, organize yearly fitness and cultural excursions to Africa. These trips allow clients to travel Africa without a passport through music and dance.

Episode Summary

Cassandra practices what she preaches, using fitness and nutrition to help others create better lives for themselves. Her business is built on making others happy and healthy while giving them an unforgettable cultural experience.

Insight from this episode:

Cassandra shares her secrets for entrepreneurs who are just starting out.
How to ensure success in your business by staying true to yourself.
Strategies for monetizing your interests and talents.
Cassandra describes her secrets to social media success.
The success hacks Cassandra uses in her business.
Kevin explains the importance of knowing what you do, why you do it, and where you are going as an entrepreneur.
Kevin shares what motivates him and makes him happy.

Quotes from the show:

“Death by comparison.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 141
“I’m a believer that what you give energy to just grows.” - Cassandra Nuamah, Episode 141
“Everything’s a lesson or a blessing.” - Cassandra Nuamah, Episode 141
“Look at every setback as a foundation for where you can step up.” - Cassandra Nuamah, Episode 141
“I’m definitely focused on progress and not perfection.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 141

Resources Mentioned:

Canva
Hootsuite
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
In Touch: How to Tune In to the Inner Guidance of Your Body and Trust Yourself by John J. Prendergast, PhD and Rick Hanson, PhD
Streak

Favorite Book:

Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! by Robert Kiyosaki

Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Jack Canfield and Janet Switzer

Favorite Quote:

“Those who know don’t tell and those who tell don’t know.” - Socrates, quoted by Cassandra Nuamah
“Create your life” - Kevin Y. Brown
“I am the brand I say I am.” - Kevin Y. Brown
“Be the labour, great or small, do it well or not at all.” - Quincy Jones, quoted by Kevin Y. Brown
“I do this for real, not for thrills.” - Andre Hicks, quoted by Kevin Y. Brown
“Love those who love you but don’t never let it (mess) up your vision. How much love did your loved ones have when you was broke or doing time in prison.” - Andre Hicks, quoted by Kevin Y. Brown

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Start from where you.
Don’t compare yourself.
Don’t care about what other people say.

Episode Sponsor:

This episode was sponsored by http://www.podcastlaundry.com

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

wellnesswithcoachcass.com

Cassandra Nuamah:

www.kukuwafitness.com

Africawithus.com

www.instagram.com/kukuwafitness

www.instagram.com/africawithus

www.instagram.com/coachcassfit

twitter.com/kukuwafitness

twitter.com/africawithus

twitter.com/cassandranuamah

www.facebook.com/KukuwaFitness

www.facebook.com/africawithus

www.facebook.com/coachcassfit

www.linkedin.com/in/kukuwa-fitness

www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-nuamah

www.youtube.com/channel/kukuwafitness

www.youtube.com/channel/coachcassfit

spotify.com/cassandranuamah

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 140: Life Or Death: Her Journey To Joy, Fulfillment and Health with Cassandra Nuahmah Oct 23, 2018

About our Guest:

Cassandra Nuamah is a danceaholic, travelista, and a fitness guru. As a certified personal trainer, group exercise instructor, and health and wellness coach, she lost 50lbs and transformed her lifestyle. Using her infectious energy, Cassandra has made it her mission to help individuals, groups, and organizations to live happier and healthier lives using methods and techniques that she uses herself. Originally from Ghana, Cassandra and mother, the founder of Kukuwafitness.com, organize yearly fitness and cultural excursions to Africa. These trips allow clients to travel Africa without a passport through music and dance.

Episode Summary

Cassandra practices what she preaches, using fitness and nutrition to help others create better lives for themselves. Her business is built on making others happy and healthy while giving them an unforgettable cultural experience.

Insight from this episode:

Secrets to getting your A game together early on in your career.
Cassandra shares the resources she learned at the Institute of Innovative Nutrition.
How a conversation with her boss led Cassandra to quit her job and become an entrepreneur.
Strategies for creating loyalty with your clients.
Cassandra explains the importance of travelling and how it can change your perspective.
Secrets to staying accountable to your clients.
Cassandra shares her strategies for handling criticism in a positive way.
The 4 things Cassandra does every day to be happy:
- 1) Dance
- 2) Workout
- 3) Pray
- 4) Help someone

Quotes from the show:

“You don’t know what you don’t know.” - Cassandra Nuamah, Episode 140
“That’s why I’m Coach Cass. I coach you to be and see your best self.” - Cassandra Nuamah, Episode 140
“Success was not an optional thing.” - Cassandra Nuamah, Episode 140
“Time and tide waits for no one, Cass.” - Cassandra Nuamah, Episode 140
“You can’t help what they feel or think. But you can help how you receive it.” - Cassandra Nuamah, Episode 140
“No matter how hard it gets or how challenging it is, I’m living in my purpose and on purpose.” - Cassandra Nuamah, Episode 140
“If you’re not in your lane, looking at other peoples lanes, that’s how you’ll crash” - Cassandra Nuamah, Episode 140
“If we could be that gateway, we could be that bridge for somebody to go [to Africa], then why not? ” - Cassandra Nuamah, Episode 140
“The doctor says she’s dying, we gotta go” -Cassandra Nuamah, Episode 140
“She’s literally like living dead. Like she looks like you could see skeletons everywhere” - Cassandra Nuamah, Episode 140
“Business owners come in all different shades and people that you might not think are in levels of authority are. You need to know how to speak to everyone at the same time of level and deal with everyone at the same time of level.” - Cassandra Nuamah, Episode 140
“You have to have your niche, and you have to stay true to that niche, and you have to stay in your lane, you’ll literally crash.” - Cassandra Nuamah, Episode 140

Episode Sponsor:

This episode was sponsored by http://www.podcastlaundry.com

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

wellnesswithcoachcass.com

Cassandra Nuamah:

www.kukuwafitness.com

Africawithus.com

www.instagram.com/kukuwafitness

www.instagram.com/africawithus

www.instagram.com/coachcassfit

twitter.com/kukuwafitness

twitter.com/africawithus

twitter.com/cassandranuamah

www.facebook.com/KukuwaFitness

www.facebook.com/africawithus

www.facebook.com/coachcassfit

www.linkedin.com/in/kukuwa-fitness

www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-nuamah

www.youtube.com/channel/kukuwafitness

www.youtube.com/channel/coachcassfit

spotify.com/cassandranuamah

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 139: Sex, Life & Mentoring: A Startups Success Connecting Experts and Clients From the Comfort of Their Living Rooms with Elise Schuster Oct 16, 2018

About our Guest:

Elise Schuster is the Co-Founder of okayso, an app that provides quick, personalized answers from experts concerning life’s most intimate questions. Her experience working in the field of sex education spans over 15 years, beginning as a sex educator at Babeland. During her time at the company, Elise taught hundreds of workshops and answered thousands of questions. She previously worked on youth development at The Door, the country’s largest development agency serving over 10,000 marginalized youth each year. With a Masters in Public Health from Columbia University, Elise has extensive training and consulting experience in LGBTQ issues, pleasure, sexual health, and adolescent development.

Episode Summary

Elise Schuster’s company, Okayso, provides clients with confidential access to experts who cover topics from sexual health to self-image. Using a non-traditional path for a startup, Elise and her co-founder were able to create an innovative app that not only supports positive mental health, but also is funded by a federal grant. The distinct way in which she has achieved success is an inspiring account for any CEO looking for new methods for establishing and operating their business.

Insight from this episode:

Secrets to enhancing your business by analyzing other industries.
Strategies for building a productive relationship with your co-founder.
How to find and embrace your company’s unique path to success.
Elise explains how she used skills learned in graduate school when she started her company.
Strategies for evaluating the goals of your business using Elise’s “Fantasy Island” technique.
How to embrace self-compassion and use it in your life.
Why CEOs who are just starting out should seek out the company of other new CEOs.

Quotes from the show:

“It’s really always helpful to have kind of those touchstones. I think you can get so in it, that you, kind of pulling back and seeing that bigger picture, every little bit is incredibly helpful.” - Elise Schuster, Episode 139
“I think that, often when you read things about startups or you read about successful businesses, you don’t see the messiness behind them. You also often see only a couple of paths.” - Elise Schuster, Episode 139
“There’s not one way of helping people. You have got to figure out what is going to work right for you.” - Elise Schuster, Episode 139
“Everybody deserves to lead happy and healthy lives. And that includes sexuality. It’s just as much a part of our lives.” - Elise Schuster, Episode 139
“I think that we get so many messages in the world about what it means to be a woman and how you’re supposed to behave and act. So I think most of it, for me, is really just to realize you have everything that you need within yourself to do this.” - Elise Schuster, Episode 139
“Even in those moments that it feels like you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s okay to not know what you’re doing, you don’t have to have every single thing figured out, but you probably have it a lot more figured out than you realize. So keep pushing.” - Elise Schuster, Episode 139
“Self forgiveness is the biggest thing. That’s the only way you can really move forward.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 139
“It’s okay to take shortcuts. Because everyone takes shortcuts.” - Elise Schuster, Episode 139
“The things that I thought made us unappealing are the things that made us appealing, Sometimes the things that you think are your weaknesses are actually your strengths” - Elise Schuster, Episode 139

Resources Mentioned:

Leapfrog: The New Revolution for Women Entrepreneurs by Nathalie Molina Niño
React Native

Favorite Book:

When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodron

Favorite Quote:

Motto by Brene Brown that everyone is doing the best that they can with what they have.

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Self-compassion
Determination
Love

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

www.instagram.com/heyokayso

Elise Schuster:

www.okayso.co/

www.eliseschuster.com/

twitter.com/akadallas

twitter.com/heyokayso

www.facebook.com/akadallas

www.facebook.com/heyokayso

www.linkedin.com/in/eliseschuster

www.linkedin.com/company/okayso

elise@okayso.co

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 138: 20,000 Downloads in 2 Weeks: Creating Your Own Lane in Podcasting with Chris ”Stylezz” Samuel Oct 09, 2018

About our Guest:

Chris “Stylezz” is known for hosting D’usse Palooza, a dark liquor-driven day party that has turned into one of the biggest cross county fests in America. With a Bachelor’s in Communication from SUNY Old Westbury, he used his infectious energy and mystique to launch the podcast Trappin Anonymous in summer 2016. Highlighting the underground world, Chris “Stylezz” dives into the lives of people with whom a conversation would be considered taboo. He uses his magnetic personality to relate to his interviewees and to discuss topics that wouldn’t normally be discussed.

Episode Summary:

Chris “Stylezz” is passionate about everything he does. Speaking candidly about his podcast, Trappin Anonymous, Chris “Stylezz” isn’t afraid to have difficult conversations. And while he wants to satisfy his audience, his motivation is internally driven.

Insight from this episode:

Secrets to networking in college.
How to evaluate your work while remaining true to your goals.
Strategies for maintaining integrity as an entrepreneur.
How to be on the lookout for signs telling you to pivot your life.
Chris “Stylezz” describes the catharsis around having a conversation about your life.
Secrets for figuring out if someone’s self-promotion is legit and whether they are actually doing the work that they profess.
Chris “Stylezz” talks about the power of patience.
Chris “Stylezz” promotes giving everyone value and not dissing other people.
Strategies for turning the words of naysayers into motivation.

Quotes from the show:

“What is passion? What could I do in this world, absolutely for free, and still be fulfilled?“ - Chris “Stylezz” Samuel, Episode 138
“You’ve got to value the mistakes.” - Chris “Stylezz” Samuel, Episode 138
“People never realize how therapeutic it is to sit back, reflect, and verbally, out loud, talk about themselves.” - Chris “Stylezz” Samuel, Episode 138
“All you have is your word in this world.” - Chris “Stylezz” Samuel, Episode 138
“Money is not the only form of currency.” - Chris “Stylezz” Samuel, Episode 138
“People will always find a way to justify their lifestyle, something that there doing, whether they feel it’s good, bad or indifferent.” - Chris “Stylezz” Samuel, Episode 138
“Value is determined by ‘NO’. My value is determined by what I am willing to walk away from.” - Chris “Stylezz” Samuel, Episode 138
“Had I not been in that situation (growing up in foster care), I would not be this version of Kevin. So I have to be thankful for that.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 138

Resources Mentioned:

Computer
Microphone
Interface

Favorite Quote:

“We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, with so little, for so long, we are now qualified to do anything, with nothing.” - Mother Teresa

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Don’t care.
Be quick to fail.
Do what you love.

Episode Sponsor:

This episode was sponsored by http://www.podcastlaundry.com

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

listen.tidal.com/artist/10250543

Chris “Stylezz”:

www.trappinanonymous.com

www.instagram.com/christylezz

twitter.com/christylezz

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 137: Redefining Self-Image: A CEO’s Path From Wall Street to Idiomatic-Clothing Manufacturer with Andrea Madho Sep 28, 2018

About our Guest:

Andrea Madho is the personification of positive energy. After moving to New York, Andrea worked on Wall Street and began a successful career as a stock broker. She used the skills that she learned cold-calling prospective clients to develop impactful relationships with high-ranking speakers and pre-IPO tech people. This endeavour led Andrea to high-tech PR. However, she pivoted away from these fields after experiencing frustration when trying to purchase clothing that fit her. Now Andrea is the owner of Lab141, a company that specializes in creating high fashion specifically cut for a client’s body type and measurements.

Episode Summary:

There are many factors that go into making a successful entrepreneur, including drawing from past experiences and addressing problems that people encounter everyday. Andrea Madho describes both of these circumstances and how they affected her, specifically. She shares her journey from Wall Street to becoming a business owner, but Andrea also reflects on what has made her successful. With funny antidotes and thoughtful introspection, Andrea exemplifies what working harder and smarter really looks like.

Insight from this episode:

Secrets to creating a lasting impression with people, including prospective clients.
How to become adaptable and how to use that skill to help raise funds for your company.
Strategies for standing out at a conference, even when you aren’t a panelist or speaker.
Why having a bigger truth is so critical to an entrepreneur’s success.
How to use dynamic networking.
Andrea shares her secret success hacks.
The secret to using personal commonalities in business.
The power and necessity of cold calling

Quotes from the show:

“You turn every negative into a positive. You turn every question into an opportunity.” - Andrea Madho, Episode 137
“Wherever I drop, I learn everything. Even if it has nothing to do with what I’m doing.” - Andrea Madho on adapting to new environments, Episode 137
“Allow your environment to do the work for you.” - Andrea Madho on networking at events, Episode 137
“Just trust yourself. And if you’re a little out there, it’s okay because it helps you be memorable.” - Andrea Madho, Episode 137
“If people like you, they become your evangelists and they will tell you about things. No entrepreneur is an island. And this is the other secret: get people to help you, to want to help you.”- Andrea Madho, Episode 137
“Let your network work for you.”- Andrea Madho, Episode 137
“I became passionate about becoming more.” - Kevin Y. Brown on his childhood motivation, Episode 137

Resources Mentioned:

Asana
Salesforce
HubSpot
Zoho CRM
Clothing Sizes Kill: The Environment and Your Ego TEDxClarksonUniversity

Favorite Book:

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Favorite Quote:

“Everyday, in everyway, I am becoming the woman I want to be.” - Andrea Madho

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Believe in yourself.
Try to be humble.
Never stop learning.

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

www.instagram.com/geetamanning

Andrea Madho:

www.lab141.com

twitter.com/lab141nyc

www.facebook.com/lab141

www.linkedin.com/in/andreamadho

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 136: Limitless: A CTO’s Truth in Defining Herself in Her Industry & Life with Melissa Wahnish Sep 21, 2018

About our Guest:

Melissa Wahnish is a professional comedic actress turned hacker/developer. Using her self-taught programming skills, she founded Ruby Thursdays, a free weekly online show that gives junior rail developers tutorials, tips, and tricks to help them grow. Melissa organizes the Dev Dialogue meet-up which is the longest running Ruby Meetup in New York City. Along with her husband, Todd Wahnish, Melissa is the Co-Founder of Gigtilt.com, a service that simplifies and automates online payments. When she’s not leading development through innovation, Melissa enjoys sci-fi and knitting.

Episode Summary

Melissa Wahnish went from comedian/actress to Founder/developer. This leap may seem unexpected, but Melissa is a rockstar! Finding time to run several companies with her husband, Todd, participate in Meetups, and raise a family, Melissa gives advice on all matter of issues that women may encounter at work. From overcoming the feeling of imposter syndrome to using her acting skills in her CEO role, her advice is crucial to anyone starting out in a new career and those looking to advance in the workforce.

Insight from this episode:

Secrets to crafting your skills outside of your business.
How to use networking to hone in on what works best for you.
Melissa shares two critical experiences that helped her improve as a developer when she was just starting out.
Strategies for standing out from your peers at work.
Strategies for getting your first job, as a junior developer.
Secrets to overcoming the biggest personal challenges you may face in your career.
Melissa gives advice to young women looking to make waves as engineers, CTOs, and founders of companies.
How to silence the naysayers.

Quotes from the show:

“It’s always about bringing people joy.” - Melissa Wahnish on entrepreneurial work, Episode 136

“You do the best you can at the things you can control.” - Melissa Wahnish, Episode 136

“It’s definitely about being that thought leader. So it’s about getting your name out there and being a part of the community.” - Melissa Wahnish on using Meetup as a resource, Episode 136

“Do the customer development, even when you’re building for yourself, so that you can serve others.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 136

“That’s been the biggest thing, is really to own what you can do and what you’ve done. Just to own it as opposed to thinking you can’t do it.” - Melissa Wahnish, Episode 136

Resources Mentioned:

Favorite Book:

The Lord of the Rings Series by J.R.R. Tolkien

Favorite Quote:

“It’s never boring.”

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Own your accomplishments.
Speak your mind.
Choose something that makes you happy and joyful.

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

Melissa Wahnish:

melissa@rubythursday.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 135: Identity, Masculinity, and Fatherhood: An Entrepreneur Creates Community Change with Jason Rosario Sep 14, 2018

About our Guest:

Bronx native Jason Rosario is a social entrepreneur, content curator, and founder of The Lives of Men, an integrated media and lifestyle brand that covers the stories and the diverse interests of men of color. Early in life, he was taught the importance of hard work, sacrifice, resolve, and faith which have served as guiding principles in his life’s journey. Having witnessed first hand the socio-political norms that disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities of color, Jason dedicated his work to increasing the flow of opportunities to young men of color. Having earned his MBA from New York University Leonard N. Stern School of Business, he previously worked with leading financial firms such as UBS, Deutsche Bank, and CBRE. Jason’s interests focus on the intersection of masculinity, identity, and self-actualization. Featured on numerous media outlets and delivering keynote speeches at international conferences and at colleges and universities in the tri-state area, he aims to inspire, activate, and nurture the development of well-rounded men.

Episode Summary

Many cultures dissuade men from expressing emotions, in favor of being the “strong, silent” type. This way of thinking has been carried down through generations, and it has a particularly telling effect on men of color. Jason Rosario and Kevin have a frank discussion about how Jason’s company, The Lives of Men, is promoting healthy masculinity. Additionally, Jason and Kevin share how they have worked to build healthy masculinity into their own lives.

Insight from this episode:

Secrets to building a healthy perspective about masculinity.
How to use your friends to stay accountable to your goals.
Jason shares his path to becoming an entrepreneur with the hope that it inspires anyone just starting out or looking to take the first step.
Strategies for giving back to the people who support you and have your back.
Jason explains how emotions and accepting emotions fits into healthy masculinity.
An unexpected strategy for deciding whether to take a huge risk in your corporate career.

Quotes from the show:

“Just more importantly though, the maturity level that it instills in you. The level of discipline that you have to have to be able to move in spaces where you don’t have the basic comforts of home. That’s what all that experience at a young age taught me.” - Jason Rosario on helping caring for his family while growing up, Episode 135

“What you learn about yourself is, through those experiences, is not what you’re going to learn in any academics.” - Jason Rosario on fatherhood, Episode 135

“Education is something no one can even take away from you.” - Jason Rosario, Episode 135

“I try to keep people around me that are going to remind me that I am worthy just because I exist. My lived experience alone is what makes me enough.” - Jason Rosario, Episode 135

“Something that me and my friends, we talk about often is we have success amnesia. Sometimes we forget how far we’ve come and the great strides that we have made.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 135

“If we’re asking men to be more vulnerable and more in touch with their emotions, then that’s something that women are uniquely positioned and prepared to be able to teach us.” - Jason Rosario, Episode 135

“What you resist, persists.” - Jason Rosario, Episode 135

“I think what I’ve realized is the biggest challenge I’ve ever had to face was not living and not subscribing to the notions of what other people think my life should be.” - Jason Rosario, Episode 135

“Authenticity, to me, is doing what you would do if nobody else was looking and being in alignment.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 135

Resources Mentioned:

In Touch: How to Tune In to the Inner Guidance of Your Body and Trust Yourself by John J. Prendergast, PhD and Rick Hanson, PhD
Passion Planner
Instagram
Evernote
Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice by Dennis Kimbro and Napoleon Hill

Favorite Book:

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

To Be a Man: A Guide to True Masculine Power by Robert Augustus Masters, PhD

The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love by Bell Hooks

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favorite Quote:

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” - Paulo Coelho

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Be true to yourself. Believe in yourself.
Surround yourself with the right people that will support you.
Use failure as motivation and not as an excuse to stop.

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

www.instagram.com/kingkhepri

Jason Rosario:

www.facebook.com/jrosario79

www.linkedin.com/in/wjasonrosario

The Lives of Men:

www.thelivesofmen.com/

www.instagram.com/thelivesofmen/

twitter.com/thelivesofmen

www.facebook.com/thelivesofmen/

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 134: Making an Impact While Saving the World - How Renewable Energy Drove a CEO to Success with Benoy Thanjan Sep 07, 2018

About our Guest:

As the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, Benoy Thanjan took his passion for sustainability and renewable energy and turned it into a company that has traded $27 billion in solar renewable energy credits (SREC). He attributes his success to his time working as a SREC trader in the Project Finance Group for SolarCity, a company that merged with Tesla in 2016. With a BS in finance and economics from the Stern School of Business and an MBA in finance from Rutgers University, Benoy has an extensive financial background. Having previously worked as the Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, he focused on project finance solutions for commercial scale solar projects. In addition, Benoy used his financial expertise while working for Ridgewood Renewable Power, Deloitte and Touche, Ernst & Young, and D.E. Shaw and Co. His current company Reneu Energy provides consultation for other companies looking to save money, modernize their energy use, and implement solar energy practices.

Episode Summary

Alternative energy sources have been gaining in popularity over the past several decades. However, public knowledge still lags behind when it comes to clean energy such as solar. Many people are unaware of the substantial benefits, including a reduction in financial burden, that result from switching to renewable energy. Benoy Thanjan, a juggernaut in the solar energy world, explains how he decided to make the leap to entrepreneurship, creating a company that combines his passion, his knowledge of finances, and his goal of making an impact in the world.

Insight from this episode:

How to build passive income streams while succeeding at your primary job.
Strategies for continuing to evolve as an entrepreneur.
How to add additional value to your company.
Strategies for strengthening relationships with clients.
Why giving back and community are so important for entrepreneurs.
How to take a more proactive approach to goal setting.
Benoy’s strategies for deciding what projects demand his time and attention.

Quotes from the show:

“Not getting overconfident. Continue to be humble. Continue to develop myself. Continue to add value to our clients.” - Benoy Thanjan, on being successful as an entrepreneur, Episode 134

“If I never tried starting my business, there would always be a regret in my life. Even if I failed, there would always be the regret of never trying.” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode 134

“I feel like entrepreneurship’s a lot about instincts and gut feel.” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode 134

“When you wait on people, you give your power away.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 134

“They’re not willing to make the sacrifice and the discipline and put the work and take the failure. They don’t realize how much failure. They see the outside and they don’t see behind the scenes.” - Benoy Thanjan, on the misconception about starting a business, Episode 134

“A lot of times in entrepreneurship, you can’t control a lot of things that are happening. It’s a journey and it’s mentally controlling yourself. And mentally realizing what you can control and what you can make the difference. And there’s a lot of things you can’t control. And that makes a huge difference on being successful or not in life.” - Benoy Thanjan, Episode 134

“We’re focused on progression, not perfection.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 134

Resources Mentioned:

Apple hardware
Google apps
Google Voice
Google Calendar
Gmail
Headspace app

Favorite Book:

- The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg

How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie

Favorite Quote:

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” - Reinhold Niebuhr
“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.” - Vince Lombardi

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Do what you’re passionate about, because that’s your true self

Accept failure

Never give up

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

www.instagram.com/benoit0212

Benoy Thanjan:

www.reneuenergy.com

www.linkedin.com/in/bthanjan/

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 133: Evolving into the C-Suite Role: Keys to Managing Over 19,000 Memberships with Mia Hairston Aug 31, 2018

About our Guest:

Mia Hairston is the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Nationwide Insurance. In this role, she oversees entreprise-wide strategies and execution for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, ensuring that her techniques are implemented across the company. Through her expertise and dedication, Mia has been recognized by Smart Business, Savoy, and Black Enterprise Magazine from among the top Chief Diversity Officers and Leaders. Infusing her knowledge of psychology and business administration, Mia has forged strong partnerships and relationships with business unit councils at both the local and national level. She believes that we can do more together than apart, and she possesses a relentless passion for seeing everyone reach their full potential and feel valued for their contributions.

Episode Summary

Mia Hairston has mastered excelling in the workforce. In this episode she discusses how her childhood experience of being raised in a Hispanic culture while being African American shaped her identity. Equipped with her academic and on the job training, she actively works to understand human behavior and meet the needs of the 19,000 memberships she oversees. And, as Mia explains, you need more than money, status, and a title to be happy at work and in life. She shares her personal path to success and concepts you can use now to advance your career.

Insight from this episode:

Mia’s strategies for growing into a career.
How to create and hold yourself to set standards in your career.
Strategies for balancing work and life.
The importance of taking in and receiving feedback.
How to use Mia’s acronym N.E.A.T. to help evolve and advance in the workplace
- N. (find your North star)
- E. (Excellence)
- A. (being your Authentic self)
- T. (Teachable to help evolve and advance in the workplace)
Mia’s goal setting methods.
The most important components to consider when climbing the corporate ladder.

Quotes from the show:

“I was trying to find out who I was as an African American and as an African American female. What I found through that quest was I was always me, no matter where I was.” - Mia Hairston, Episode 133

“The best thing to protecting your brand is you have to know and understand your brand.”- Mia Hairston, Episode 133

“A lot of people who argue with feedback. They get feedback, and they want to argue with the feedback. And they want to say why that perception is. But at the end of the day, nobody cares about why the perception is. Because the reality is you’re perceived that way.” - Mia Hairston, Episode 133

“A sponsor pulls you through. A sponsor is someone who pounds on the table for you when you’re not around.” - Mia Hairston, Episode 133

“A sponsor has power to move your career and open doors.” - Mia Hairston, Episode 133

“And a mentor really, quite frankly, is someone whose your sounding board. A mentor is who you have your ugly cry with.” - Mia Hairston, Episode 133

“If It’s Just About dollars and titles and a corner office with marble floors you’re destined to fail, because it won’t be enough to keep you” - Mia Hairston, Episode 133

“Being excellent requires you showing up when nobody else is looking.” - Mia Hairston, Episode 133

“There’s opportunity in low expectations.” - Kevin Y. Brown on taking an idea and pursuing it, Episode 133

“You build your confidence by consistently doing what you say that you’re going to do.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 133

Resources Mentioned:

Box Software

Microsoft Office

Favorite Book:

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow Up by John C. Maxwell

Favorite Quote:

“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” - The Bible

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

You’re worth it.
Someone somewhere needs your talent, and needs your skills, and needs you to contribute big, not small.
Live a life of service, live a life of constantly giving back.

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

www.linkedin.com/in/mia-hairston

Mia Hairston:

twitter.com/hairstm

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 132: CEO Talks - Dynamic Partnerships and the Formula for Picking Your Inner Circle with Doreen Rainey, Alechia Reese, and Todd Wahnish Aug 24, 2018

About our Guest:

Doreen Rainey

Doreen Rainey works as the Vice President of Operations at Act Like A Success, a Steve Harvey company. As a personal and business coach and speaker, she shares practical and implementable strategies, tools, and processes to get desired results. To stay up to date on the latest information across a multitude of fields, Doreen frequently interviews and talks with experts, thought leaders, and industry insiders. She then shares her insights with clients and the community.

Alechia Reese

A certified professional international speaker and author of award-winning book Eating Elephants, Alechia Reese has worked with big name companies including Progressive, UPS, BET, and Verizon. Specializing in brand identity, strategic marketing, public relations, and execution, she is the Director of PR and Creative Marketing for Soledad O’Brien’s PowHERful Foundation. Alechia’s commitment to empowering others was rewarded in the form of the Woman of Power Award presented by Bank of America and NABA NYC.

Todd Wahnish

Todd Wahnish is the Founder of cleverera.com.. He is an award winning artist, animator and product designer having created notable works for Marvel Entertainment, Cartoon Network, and artist Jeff Koons. He holds a BFA from the Atlanta College of Art, is married to his beautiful co-founder and loves making things people want through story centered design.

Episode Summary

Whether you’re a CEO, a founder of a successful startup business, or a high-achieving employee, everyone needs to form partnerships and relationships in the business world. But how do you know if a partnership can be fruitful or if the value you contribute is recognized by your client? Kevin invites Doreen Rainey, Alechia Reese, and Todd Wahnish to this episode of CEO Talks to hash out what it takes to be an asset in a partnership while staying true to your goals.

Insight from this episode:

Secrets and techniques for building and maintaining relationships and partnerships.
Crucial steps to take when doing work for free without diminishing the value you provide.
Doreen shares strategies for landing game-changing partnerships.
Strategies for establishing authentic relationships.
How to make client testimonials really work for you.
How to salvage a relationship if a business venture falls apart.
Strategies for deciding who to bring into your inner circle.

Resources Mentioned:

The RADICAL Success Institute

Quotes from the show:

“I always encourage people, ‘What can you do right now from where you are, to show people that you’re bringing something to the table?’” - Doreen Rainey, Episode 132

“Yeah, you know you want the partnership, but people do business with people who they know, trust, and like. In order to get to the liking piece, they’ve got to get to know you and trust you.” - Alechia Reese, Episode 132

“So when you start to launch a business, you have to start thinking about, ‘What is it that I can provide? What is it that I can present that is positioned as a free value or something that shows my value to another business?’ But where, from your perspective, from your footprint, it is a win-win.” - Tom Wahnish, Episode 132

“You want to operate with an MVP. That minimal viable product.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 132

“I’m always telling people that you never know who’s watching and so you always have to bring your A game.” - Doreen Rainey, Episode 132

“There’s always a seat at the table for excellence.” - Alechia Reese quoting her mentor, Episode 132

“I think what’s also interesting about that is the idea behind bringing excellence, the idea behind bringing your A game. It’s not necessarily about showing off. Right? It’s about understanding and proving the benefits to the other person.” - Todd Wahnish, Episode 132

“In a world full of liabilities, you’ve got to figure out how you can be the asset.” - Alechia Reese, Episode 132

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

www.instagram.com/doreenrainey

Doreen Rainey:

doreenrainey.com/

www.twitter.com/DoreenRainey

www.linkedin.com/in/doreenrainey

www.facebook.com/CoachDoreenRainey

Alechia Reese:

www.alechiareese.com/

www.instagram.com/alechiareese

www.twitter.com/alechiareese

www.linkedin.com/in/alechiareese

www.facebook.com/alechiareese

Todd Wahnish:

www.instagram.com/wahnish

twitter.com/wahnish

www.facebook.com/todd.wahnish

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 131: How Childhood Poverty and Observation Shaped One of New York City’s Most Influential Advocates of Change with Stanley Fritz Aug 17, 2018

About our Guest:

Stanley Fritz is the New York City campaign manager at Citizen Action of New York. He is the engineer and co-host of Let Your Voice Be Heard radio, and fights for progressive issues and standing up for disenfranchised communities through organizing activism and storytelling.

Episode Summary

This week, Kevin is joined in the studio with special guest Stanley Fritz, a huge voice in New York City’s Political and social change community involvement. Stan’s experience growing up impoverished in New York drew him into awareness of issues confronting NYC residents to provide a voice to push for power among the underserved and underrepresented. He has championed bills to make public transportation cheaper and much more. In this exclusive discussion he proves that drive and determination are key components to ensuring change.

**Special Guests: Art McGinley and Mark Moriarty who Kevin met at the recent Podcast Movement conference were also in attendance.

Insight from this episode:

Three crucial tips for mobilizing people and creating change to affect politics.
Strategies for staying humble and grounded when working in politics.
Stanley impresses the importance of having a 10 year plan.
The importance of staying grounded in the people to ensure success.
Strategies for setting goals.
Kevin’s secrets to keeping yourself focused.
Strategies for continuing to learn and become better in all areas of your life.
Secrets for deciding when to pivot and go in a different direction.

Quotes from the show:

“I think that it’s super important for us to make sure that we do amazing things and look to impact people both positively and abundantly when we have the opportunity and we have the platform to do so. ” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 131

“At that age, the way that I looked at it was, ‘Something is wrong, because no one cares enough to speak up and no one has enough power.’ So in the beginning, it was ‘I need to accumulate as much power as possible so that I can change things.” - Stanley Fritz, Episode 131

“I figured out that politics was the way that you move things. Because even if you couldn’t change things, you would have enough power through your political position to move the people that could.” - Stanley Fritz, Episode 131

“When the bar is so low that people don’t expect you to be a regular, living person, it’s an accomplishment when you prove them wrong.” - Stanley Fritz, Episode 131

“Politics is all about organized money, organized people, organized dollars.” - Stanley Fritz, Episode 131

“The personal is the political.” - Stanley Fritz, Episode 131

“There seems to be this idea that poor people just commit crimes because they’re bored. No! They’re trying to survival.” - Stanley Fritz, Episode 131

“This is a validation nation. We’re always waiting to be validated by somebody else.” - Stanley Fritz, Episode 131

“I don’t think that you can fail. The only way to fail is to quit.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 131

“I don’t believe that you should be the same person three months from now that you are now.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 131

“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.” - Oscar Wilde, quoted by Ant McGinley, Episode 131

Resources Mentioned:

Favorite Book:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favorite Quote:

“If you don’t give me heaven, I’ll raise hell.” - Jay-Z

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Stop waiting.
Stop waiting.
Stop waiting.

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

Let Your Voice Be Heard Radio

Stanley Fritz:

www.instagram.com/stanfritz/

www.twitter.com/stanfritz

www.linkedin.com/in/stanley-fritz

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 130: 10 Ways to Proactively Move Your Corporate Career Forward and Behind the Scenes Look at the Hiring Process with Chad Bennett Aug 10, 2018

About our Guest:

Chad Bennett

Chad Bennett is an HR veteran, who previously worked at staffing agency Creative Circle and has worked in-house Human resource for Verizon corporate. He now currently works at IPG Mediabrands on the ad agency side. As a self-described creative when he’s not killing the HR game, Chad loves to create content and has turned his passion into the Abstract Square Podcast, a podcast focusing on different perspectives to which his audience members relate.

Episode Summary

The current corporate environment necessitates being ahead of the game, even after you land a job. Sharing tips he has obtained from personal experience and from discussions with HR representatives, Kevin gives listeners ten tips for making sure that you are constantly taking steps to move forward in your career. Chad Bennett (Human resource professional), answers a myriad of questions from our audience, covering topics from salary negotiations to neutral non-job specific skills. If you’ve ever wondered about the hiring process, this episode will ensure you are well-prepared for your next interview.

Insight from this episode:

Strategies for amping up your confidence before walking into an interview.
Secrets to a company’s behind-the-scenes salary negotiation process.
How to utilize altruism to advance in the workplace.
Strategies for obtaining recognition from the high-level leaders at your company.
How to employ the use of situational questions to master an interview.
How to make your resume stand out from the pile.

Quotes from the show:

“You do not want to be limited by your current title. Dream bigger.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 130
“What is the difference between a mentor and a sponsor? In short, mentors advise; sponsors act.” - attributed to Sylvia Ann Hewlett, quoted by Kevin Y Brown, Episode 130
“You want to be present for the higher level conversations that are taking place, because this is what’s going to set you apart and make your life different from most other people.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 130
“I think that it’s important to be the person who seeks alternative ways of thinking, doing, and being to breakthrough current standards in your field.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 130
“The first thing that everyone needs to do before they walk into that interview is get their confidence level to the highest possible.” - Chad Bennett, Episode 130
“You want to make sure that your resume is able to tell a story when you’re not in the room.” - Chad Bennett, Episode 130
“You have to be able to show that you’re capable of doing whatever it is in this job. And the only way you’re able to do that is by representing your transferable skills.” - Chad Bennett, Episode 130

Resources Mentioned:

Phone

Favorite Book:

The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley by Malcolm X, Alex Haley, and Attallah Shabazz

Favorite Quote:

“Do you, be you.”

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Surround yourself with people who have positive energy.
Establish a relationship with God, whoever your God is.
Be happy. Find happiness.

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

www.linkedin.com/in/bennettchad

Chad Bennett:

twitter.com/chadbennett_?lang=en

Abstract Square Podcast:

soundcloud.com/abstractsquare

itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/abstract-square-podcast/

player.fm/series/2150346

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 129: Don’t Let Your Circumstances Crush Your Soul - How Time in Prison Turned into a Potential Million Dollar Startup with Vincent Bragg Aug 03, 2018

About our Guest:

Vincent Bragg, co-founder and CEO of ConCre8tes, spent 121 months in federal prison. During that time, he studied law, wrote books, and organized think-tanks. The difficulties he experienced working in prison, including the low pay and forced labor, highlighted the need for a fair method to help incarcerated people.

Episode Summary

Kevin welcomes Vincent Bragg back to the show, and luckily for our audience, he doesn’t mince words when it comes to his past. Giving an intimate and self-analytical examination of the events that led to his incarceration, Vincent shares how he transformed that time in his life into ConCr8tes. In describing the goals of the program, he pushes not only for empowering those whose power was stripped away, he also issues a call to action to others to get involved with the program and raise up their community.

Insight from this episode:

Secrets to transcending the charisma code.
How building a team can make or break your business.
Strategies for people transitioning back into society after being incarcerated.
Secrets all startup founders should know.
How teaching a transferable skill set can have ripple effects throughout a community.
Strategies for charting your course when faced with adversity.
Strategies for conceptualizing transferable skills.
How to use self-evaluation to become more informed.

Quotes from the show:

“How do we repurpose this skill set and show this individual a new perspective, a new way of thinking and how do we build confidence and success out of that?” - Vincent Bragg, Episode 129

“Leaders always separate themselves from the pack.” - Vincent Bragg, Episode 129
“Being able to cultivate those things that we look at as defects, sometimes are really what the talent is. It’s just raw.” - Vincent Bragg, Episode 129
“You have to feed people’s talents, and help them to see that, ‘You know what? This might not necessarily be a bad thing, because it’s someone else’s opinion.’” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 129
“Vision and goals are two different things.” - Vincent Bragg, Episode 129
“To speak about the narrative of making a mistake, getting out, and being able to make something of yourself afterwards. But also to debunk some of the myths around this lifestyle that’s glorified.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 129
“Success is determined by the dreamer but achieved with guidance.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 129
“The only thing that we can really duplicate is your ‘how.’” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 129

Resources Mentioned:

Outsourcing tasks

The Jewish Phenomenon: Seven Keys to the Enduring Wealth of a People by Steven Silbiger

Thick Face, Black Heart: The Warrior Philosophy for Conquering the Challenges of Business and Life by Chin-Ning Chu

The Charisma Code: Communicating in A Language Beyond Words by Robin Sol Lieberman

Favorite Book:

The Process of “I”: An Exploration into the Intertwined Relationship between Identity and Environment by Emily Maroutian

Favorite Quote:

“The scars from the battle are actually what allows the light to shine through” - Marcus Glover

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Know thyself
Know your audience
Read as much as you can

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

www.instagram.com/iamvincentbragg/

Vincent Bragg:

twitter.com/IAmVincentBragg?lang=en

www.facebook.com/gslicksta

ConCre8tes:

concreates.com/

www.instagram.com/concre8tes/

twitter.com/CONCREATES_

www.facebook.com/concre8tes/

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 128: 10 Ways to Protect Your Brand and Take Control of Your Narrative with Kevin Y. Brown Jul 28, 2018

Episode Summary

You may not realize it, but you are a brand. And your brand directly affects your personal and professional life. With the universality of access to information, people can tell a lot about you quickly but without affirmation of whether the information is correct or flattering. Kevin breaks down 10 essential tips for protecting your brand and ensuring you have greater control of how you are represented. After listening to this episode, undoubtedly, you will take away something new.

Insight from this episode:

Secrets to applying your brand across social media platforms.
How reading more improves your life, both personally and professionally.
The secret to turning a mentor into a sponsor.
How to distinguish a mantra from a tagline.
Why you should trademark your name and strategies for doing so.
Strategies for moving up the corporate ladder with the assistance of a sponsor.
Secrets to setting a standard as part of your brand.

Quotes from the show:

“The difference between a mentor and a sponsor is that a mentor’s going to advise you. A sponsor is going to advocate and actually has the power to influence, to get you opportunities.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 128
“The mantra is for you and your employees; it’s a guideline for what everyone does in their jobs, but a tagline is for your customers - it’s a guideline for how to use your product or service. For example, Nike’s mantra is, ‘Authentic athletic performance,’ but it’s tagline is, ‘Just do it.’” - Guy Kawasaki, The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything, Episode 128
“Show up and show out.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 128
“I had to literally innovate and create right there. And that’s what preparation is about. It’s being prepared for whatever can come about and making sure that you’re ready.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 128
“If you do those things.. you set the goal, meet the goal, do the work, then you will be able to create your life, because you are essentially working towards the things that you want to.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 128
“You can request a mentor. But you have to earn a sponsor.” - Donald Comer, Episode 128
“Good work, you have to go sell yourself. Great work, other people talk about it.” - Chris Winton, Episode 128
“Earning a mentor who is in reality a sponsor is the greatest success that an individual can have in terms of moving their career forward.” - Donald Comer, Episode 128
"Set the goal, meet the goal, do the work." - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 128

Resources Mentioned:

The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything by Guy Kawasaki

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 127: CEO Talks - 30 Ways to Grow Your Audience and Keep Them Hooked with Cordaro Johnson and Todd Wahnish Jul 20, 2018

About our Guests:

Cordaro Johnson

Cordaro “Haize” Johnson is the host of The Awakened Soul podcast, a podcast that provides listeners with weekly analysis of culture by delving into media, movies, and music. Prior to The Awakened Soul, Haize hosted a podcast with thousands of active listeners.

Todd Wahnish

Todd Wahnish is the Founder of cleverera.com.. He is an award winning artist, animator and product designer having created notable works for Marvel Entertainment, Cartoon Network, and artist Jeff Koons. He holds a BFA from the Atlanta College of Art, is married to his beautiful co-founder and loves making things people want through story centered design.

Episode Summary

Many of our listeners have asked for Kevin’s suggestions for building a podcast audience. To tackle this issue, Kevin, Cordaro “Haize” Johnson, and Todd dive in and breakdown their tips. From comparing how the different social media platforms can be used to grow and maintain your audience, to what an ethical bribe is, and to why Robert Greene’s books should be on your radar. Even if you aren’t an entrepreneur, this episode will help you find your personal path in your career.

Insight from this episode:

How to maximize Bitly.com links to understand your audience.
Strategies for reaching your desired audience through thoughtful use of social media.
Strategies for building up to an ethical bribe.
Secrets to building value in your podcast through collaboration.
Secrets to using Meetup to reaching a wider audience.
Secrets to holding a purposeful giveaway that will keep your audience coming back.

Quotes from the show:

“When someone has a general interest and love for what they’re talking about, people endure themselves to that.” - Cordaro “Haize” Johnson, Episode 127

“Being on all platforms is okay. And it can have its advantages. However, you don’t need to be on twelve different platforms. I feel like you need to build up, instead of out .“ - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 127

“And I think that it’s important for you to understand where’s your audience hanging out at. Right? So are they on Instagram? Are they on Twitter? You know, and I think that that actually comes by picking the people who you want to be like and understanding where their followers are and how people are digesting their content.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 127

“I think that you’re guilty by association and amazing by association.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 127

“Your content may get people to listen, but it’s you who are going to get people to stay.” - Cordaro “Haize” Johnson, Episode 127

“Somewhere online people are dealing with whatever problem that you are trying to solve, and they are talking about it passionately.” - Todd Wahnish, Episode 127

“Amateurs make something so that they can sell it... Professionals sell it first, they sell it so that they can make it.” - Todd Wahnish, Episode 127

Resources Mentioned:

Bitly - Cordaro “Haize” Johnson

Quora - Todd Wahnish

Google - Todd Wahnish

Reddit - Todd Wahnish

Soundcloud - Cordaro “Haize” Johnson

Anchor - Cordaro “Haize” Johnson

Twitter - Cordaro “Haize” Johnson

Facebook - Kevin Y. Brown

Instagram - Kevin Y. Brown

YouTube - Todd Wahnish

Meetup - Todd Wahnish

GitHub - Todd Wahnish

Clickfunnels - Kevin Y. Brown

DotCom Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Growing Your Company Online by Russell Brunson - Kevin Y. Brown

The 48 Laws of Power (unabridged version) by Robert Greene - Todd Wahnish

The 50th Law by 50 Cent and Robert Greene - Todd Wahnish

The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene - Cordaro “Haize” Johnson

Mastery by Robert Green - Cordaro “Haize” Johnson

A Spy’s Guide to Thinking by John Braddock - Todd Wahnish

Propaganda by Edward Bernays - Todd Wahnish

Rich Dad’s CASHFLOW Quadrant: Rich Dad’s Guide to Financial Freedom by Robert T. Kiyosaki - Kevin Y. Brown

Secrets to the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth by T. Harv Eker - Kevin Y. Brown

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - Kevin Y. Brown

What Makes the Great Great: Strategies for Extraordinary Achievement by Dennis Kimbro - Kevin Y. Brown

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

www.instagram.com/theawakenedsoulpod/

Cordaro “Haize” Johnson:

theawakenedsoulpod.com

twitter.com/AwakenedSoulPod

www.facebook.com/TheAwakenedSoulPod

twitter.com/CEOHaize

Todd Wahnish:

www.instagram.com/wahnish

twitter.com/wahnish

www.facebook.com/todd.wahnish

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 126: Insight to Mastering the Hard Things and Running a Sustainable Business Jul 13, 2018

Episode Summary

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for Kevin! He shares what’s new from giving an empowering speech to middle schoolers to planning for a professional development training he will be leading for a corporation. Kevin fields questions from our listeners including describing the best day of his life, what he is most excited about for his trip to Africa, and what happens after he finishes recording an episode of CYLS. Todd Wahnish of Clever Era joins Kevin to dissect the path to becoming an entrepreneur.

Insight from this episode:

Secrets to shaping your goals from the two essential definitions of entrepreneurship.
The four must know tools needed to create your life.
The key mindset all entrepreneurs must have to become successful.
Secrets to keynote speech preparation.
Strategies for discovering a viable business idea.

Quotes from the show:

“I’m excited to see who I’m going to be, the person that I’m going to be on the other end of this. And that really has me excited and thirsty for knowledge. But most of all, knowledge of life, because I feel like you can learn so much from people and their ways of being.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 126

“Because at the end of the day, you know, doing a presentation is really, it’s a performance, especially if it’s a keynote. And you need to perform well, but the only way for you to perform well is to actually engage your audience. And, in order for you to engage your audience, then you really, really have to have them involved and make sure that your presentation is about them.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 126

“It’s only by confronting those hard things and then attacking them head on that we can actually move ourselves to the next level and get our, you know, and really create our lives in the way that we want to create them.” - Todd Wahnish, Episode 126

“An entrepreneur is somebody that takes personal responsibility for somebody else’s problem. And what that means is that it’s not about you. It’s about your customer, it’s about your client. It’s about everybody else. Not you.” - Todd Wahlish, Episode 126

“Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won’t, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t.” - Anonymous, quoted by Kevin Y. Brown Episode 126

“Show me a guy who’s afraid to look bad, and I’ll show you a guy you can beat every time.” - Rene Auberjonois, quoted by Kevin Y. Brown Episode 126

Resources Mentioned:

100 Ways to Motivate Yourself: Change Your Life Forever - Steve Chandler

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 125: How Hurricane Katrina and A New York Hustle led to a Flourishing Career in Journalism with Selena Hill Jul 06, 2018

About our Guest:

Selena Hill is an award-winning entrepreneur-journalist with a passion for social justice and women empowerment. She currently works as the Digital Editor for Black Enterprise Magazine and she is a host of Let Your Voice Be Heard (https://lyvbh.com/), an award-winning radio program on 90.3FM, the Voice of Harlem. Her resume includes previously working at NV Magazine, being a TV Correspondent Assistant Producer for What’s Eating Harlem, serving as a Special Elections Reporter covering the 2012 U.S. Election, reporting current events for Russell Simmons’ globalgrind.com, and freelancing for New York Amsterdam News. In 2016 and 2017, Selena was honored with New York Association of Black Journalists Award for Best Blog Commentary Critic.

Episode Summary

Selena found her path as a journalist when she visited New Orleans in 2006 and 2007 after Hurricane Katrina. Seeing the conditions of the Lower Ninth Ward, she wanted to become a “voice for the voiceless.” She describes having to work long, grueling hours as an intern and what she took away from the situation. She relays failing a job interview with CNN, and then going back years later and acing the interview. Selena pinpoints the defining moments in her life that helped her throughout her career. In remembering past interviews with guests on Let Your Voice Be Heard, Selena describes one experience in which she learned a valuable lesson about being a radio host and another experience that resulted in the radio program winning an award.

Insight from this episode:

Strategies for becoming an award-winning journalist.
Secrets to selling yourself and continuing to move forward and upward in life.
How to balance life obligations.
How to stay motivated.
Strategies for goal-setting and ensuring personal growth each year.
Strategies for standing out from others, particularly for women and people of color.
How to handle “nay-sayers.”

Quotes from the show:

“If you don’t sell yourself, especially in our social media era that we live in, it’s basically like you don’t exist.” – Selena Hill, Episode 125

“Visibility means so much. And not only is it, you know, self-serving, but you can really impact and influence and inspire other people’s lives. Like by being transparent and vulnerable and talking about your own struggle and your own journey.” – Selena Hill, Episode 125

“I think it’s important to be very cognizant and strategic about how you are branding yourself online. Because if you’re going to exist online, but you’re not putting any thought behind it, then you’re probably doing yourself a disservice by just putting up anything that you happen to be thinking.“ – Selena Hill, Episode 125

“Every struggle comes with a purpose. Like, there’s purpose in pain.” – Selena Hill, Episode 125

“Find a way or make one.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 125

“It’s your responsibility to continue to move forward. And at the end of the day, you have to create your life.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 125

Resources Mentioned:

TweetDeck – Selena Hill
Hootsuite – Selena Hill
Google Docs – Selena Hill
Facebook Live – Selena Hill

Favorite Book:

The Bible

Favorite Quote:

“I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” – The Bible

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Identify your authenticity and be your real self.
Stay true to who you are and don’t let anyone push you off it.
Be patient and humble.

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

www.instagram.com/msselenahill

Selena Hill:

twitter.com/MsSelenaHill

www.facebook.com/selena.hill

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

Have your podcast edited, mixed and mastered by the experts: www.podcastlaundry.com

CYLS 124: From Strife to STEM - How to Use the Past To Brand Yourself with Janeya Griffin Jun 29, 2018

About our Guests:

Janeya Griffin

At the age of 16 years, Janeya Griffin faced significant hardship when her parents were incarcerated and she raised herself and her 6 year old brother. Since that time, she has dedicated herself and her career towards entrepreneurship, advocating for technology and social justice, and examining generational wealth, specifically within underserved communities. Having gained experience serving as a contractor for federal labs and organizations across the country, including the National Aeronautic Space Agency (NASA), Janeya recently founded a consulting start-up called The Commercializer, a strategic firm that actualizes independent inventors, intellectual assets, and monetizes entrepreneurs’ ideas. In addition, she co-founded the creative agency ConCre8tes which focuses on helping men, women, and children behind bars and beyond by changing how society views people with criminal histories.

Vincent Bragg

Vincent Bragg, co-founder of ConCre8tes, spent 121 months in federal prison. During that time, he studied law, wrote books, and organized think-tanks. The difficulties he experienced working in prison, including the low pay and forced labor, highlighted the need for a fair method to help incarcerated people.

Episode Summary

Janeya recounts her childhood and its impact on her personal development. She offers valuable insight, describing the importance of understanding one’s past and how it influences your life. Having taken an introspective look at herself, Janeya explains how she took advantage of opportunities that motivated her. Vincent, her co-founder of ConCre8tes, discusses the origins of ConCre8tes. He explains how the agency empowers incarcerated and formally incarcerated people return to work.

Insight from this episode:

Strategies for using your passion to find your purpose.
How intentionality helped Janeya identify her career path.
How to move forward and use the lessons encountered along the way.
Why personal branding is important.
Keys to turning adversity into an opportunity for growth and finding your direction.
Vincent’s experience while incarcerated helped him discover a way to help others who were previously or are currently incarcerated.
The importance of ownership of ideas and property rights.

Quotes from the show:

“Until I started, like, questioning, ‘Like, okay. Why am I the way that I am? Good and bad?’ Right? ‘Um, what makes me tick? What instances or situations have happened in my life that have, kind of transformed, like my journey and things like that, and brought me to this place that I’m at right now?’” – Janeya Griffin, Episode 124

“I decided that I wanted to go into my 30s with forgiveness and healing.” - Janeya Griffin, Episode 124

“So, to me, you know, you remind me of the ladies from ‘Hidden Figures.’ You know what I mean? Who were doing their thing? Just the importance and the representation, I think is just so dynamic.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 124

“Being humble enough to ask for help. And then being wise enough to listen when people are talking to you and helping you find your way.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode 124

“I’ve learned to listen in the midst of chaos.” - Janeya Griffin, Episode 124

“When you allow this many people to be intentional about an outcome of something, we’re able to manifest that.” – Vincent Bragg, Episode 124

Resources Mentioned:

Trello – Janeya Griffin
G Suite – Janeya Griffin

Favorite Book:

The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach – Janeya Griffin

The Process of “I” by Emily Maroutian – Vincent Bragg

Favorite Quote:

Janeya Griffin:

“There are no problems, only solutions.” – John Lennon
“Life is simple. Everything happens for you, not to you.“ – Byron Katie

Vincent Bragg:

"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." - Frederick Douglass

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Janeya Griffin:

Invest in ourselves and our communities.
Giving with the intent to grow.
Collaboration over competition.

Vincent Bragg:

Self-realization.
Authenticity.
To live your best life, find something that you can’t live without.

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

www.instagram.com/janeyagriffin/?hl=en

Janeya Griffin:

twitter.com/janeyagriffin

www.facebook.com/JaneyaGriffin/

Vincent Bragg:

www.instagram.com/iamvincentbragg/

twitter.com/IAmVincentBragg?lang=en

www.facebook.com/gslicksta

ConCre8tes:

concreates.com/

www.instagram.com/concre8tes/

twitter.com/CONCREATES_

www.facebook.com/concre8tes/

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 123: 10 Ways To Maximize Conference and Networking Opportunities with Kevin Y. Brown Jun 22, 2018

In this episode Kevin gives his top strategies for making the most of conferences and networking opportunities. He gives his hacks and secrets to walking away with business and how to measure whether you should attend an event.

CYLS 122: How Two Sisters Have Revitalized A Pre - Digital Industry with Caroline Strzalka Jun 15, 2018

In this episode Caroline shares her secrets and roadmap to revitalizing a pre- digital industry. Taking the floral industry by storm, she and her sister have managed to raise funding, pivot and garner amazing partnerships that have pushed them to over 300 subscribers and counting.

CYLS 121: The Audacity to Leap and The Audacity to Be with Latesha Williams Jun 08, 2018

In this episode Latesha speaks about the power of interning for Source Magazine at the age of 14, Convincing Lebron James to take on social media, uncle Jay-Z and how relationships have helped her to scale a seven figure business.

CYLS 120: Secrets to Finding Love on Tinder And Growing Your Podcast Audience with Evan Griffin and Candice Davis Jun 01, 2018

About our Guest:

Evan:

When it comes to being AWESOME, Evan Griffin is truly the definition of it. Carefully crafted his Professional, Entertainment, and Musical career, Evan has worked for some of the top Retail and Manufacturing companies in world, still finding time to Executive Produce 3 Podcast, write & record music, as well as being a loving Father. Passionate about what he does, Evan prides himself on Achievement, Education, Motivation, and Family.

Candice:

Candice Davis is a 10 year veteran in the entertainment business. She found her love for entertainment while attending college. There she had a top ranked radio show and interned at an concert arena. That is how he journey began. Candice is now taking her own personal experiences and sharing them with the world.

Candice is the host of The Little Miss Entertainment Show podcast. in her shows she shares her party planning secrets, style on a budget tips, relationship advice and much more. The show also has a ton of guests stop by to share their thoughts as well.

Candice goes by the name Little Miss Entertainment because that is exactly what she is. In a recent interview Candice explains "It gives me such joy to be able to do things to put a smile on peoples faces. I love everything from throwing surprise birthday parties for my family members to making my friends favorite meals. These are the things that are the most important to me."

Episode Summary

In this episode, Evan and Candice discuss finding love through the tinder app, growing their podcast audiences, making a relationship work by understanding what they have in common, the HBCU vs. PWI experience and 8 secrets to happiness.

Insight from this episode:

The truth about the HBCU vs. PWI experience
Tips to make mindset breakthroughs as a female in corporate America
Tips to re-create your brand at work
Secrets to co-working with your significant other
8 secrets to happiness
The power of the tinder app and real love
Setting boundaries to maintain a successful private but public relationship
Strategies to grow your podcast audience
Tips to host a successful live event

Quotes from the show:

“I went through a relationship before…. and I allowed myself to go through the healing process and didn’t start dating until I was ready and serious about dating” - Evan Griffin Episode #120

“I was legitimately talking to her, trying to get to know her and see what we have in common so we could grow as a couple” Evan Griffin Episode #120

on his first tinder date

“You know that you’re in love, when you’re being loved properly” - Candice Davis Episode #120

“Showing up and showing out is half the battle” - Candice Davis Episode #120

“When Evan’s in the spotlight I’m his biggest fan, when I’m in the spotlight He’s my biggest fan there’s no competition within this relationship it’s 100% support.” - Candice Davis Episode #120

Resources Mentioned:

youtube.com

Favorite Book:

Candice: Who Moved My Cheese

Evan: The Happiness Project

Favorite Quote:

Candice: “Turn your wounds into wisdom” - Oprah
Evan: “Dream them dreams then man-up and live them dreams, because a life without dreams is black and white, and the universe flows in technicolor and surround-sound. - Combat Jack

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Candice:

Never give up,
Stay focused
Be supportive - support those who support you

Evan:

Let it Go - (let go of residual feelings)
Do it Now
Believe in yourself
Enjoy the process

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

https://open.spotify.com/track/7L2hB3P7sqjQ9sO48EArCjwww.Instagram.com/

Evan:

https://www.instagram.com/awesome_nobody/

https://twitter.com/awesomenobdy

Candice:

https://www.candicedavisonline.com/

https://www.instagram.com/lilmissent

http://www.twitter.com/lilmissent

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 119: CEO Talks - The ABC’s of Entrepreneurship with Eric Fondren and Todd Wahnish May 25, 2018

About the Guests:

Eric Fondren is the CEO of Itell.io, a company that provides a digital advertising platform for ATM owners to digitally advertise to their customers.

Todd Wahnish is the Founder of Clever Era. Clever Era helps bootstrapped Entrepreneurs build businesses...even if you have no idea, no capital, and no technical ability. He is also an award winning artist, animator, and product designer with a portfolio that includes Marvel Entertainment, Cartoon Network, and artist Jeff Koons.

Episode Summary

In this episode Todd, Kevin and Eric discuss the ups and downs of presales for Eric’s business, CEO experience truth’s about failing and re-starting up a business. Strategies to figuring out where your client is now and where they want to go. They also cover strategies to deciphering between good and unimportant advice.

Insight from this episode:

ABC = Always be conversing

Strategies to narrowing down your end user vs. customer
Secrets to avoid the top two reasons startups fail
The ups and downs of pre- sales for Eric’s business,
CEO experience truth’s about failing and re-starting up
Strategies to figuring out where your client is now and where they want to go.
strategies to deciphering between good and unimportant advice.
Strategies to presale your product before launch
Methods to deciphering between an opinion vs. sound advice

Quotes from the show:

“Start with a date to start, a day to complete and a go to Idea to plan to product” - Eric Fondren episode #119

“Your business always gets better if you expose it to the world around you” - Eric Fondren episode #119

“For anyone looking to start off or bootstrap their business, the conversation is the first thing you need to master because that’s how you invent word of mouth” - Todd Wahnish episode #119

“Whether its advice or not its still an opinion. Its whether or not its informed and contextual and relevant” - Eric Fondren episode #119

“What I learned very quickly was to trust and verify” - Todd Wahnish episode #119

“A lot of times there can be truth in the advice but its up to you to know who you are and what you don’t want to be” - Todd Wahnish episode #119

“If you are worried about someone stealing your idea, then you don’t have a strong enough idea…and your not doing enough competitive research” - Eric Fondren episode #119

“Ideas are not businesses, ideas are thoughts that don’t have any physical form” - Todd Wahnish episode #119

“The money valuates the building of the product” - Todd Wahnish episode #119

“The ups are never as good as they feel and the downs are never as bad as they feel” - Eric Fondren episode #119

“Stay strong, make moves, work hard, take breaks” - Todd Wahnish episode #119

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

Eric:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericnfondren

Todd:

7 habits of highly effective people by Stephen Covey

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 118: Inside the New 57 Billion Dollar Industry with Cannibis Tech CEO Jacobi Holland May 18, 2018

In this episode Jacobi shares his insight into the new 57 billion dollar industry of cannabis, his experience of going from ground floor to CEO, affects cannabis has had on his family and his reasoning for getting into the startup tech world.

CYLS 117: The HBCU Journey From Tech Starups to Entrepreneur and Marriage with Thomas Teel May 11, 2018

About our Guest:

Thomas Teel is an Ad tech professional from Jamaica New York who is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, startup aficionado, technologist, entrepreneur and all around gentlemen. Thomas has worked with top companies such as Indeed Inc as well as the largest advertising agencies on the planet. Working with NewME Accelerator Thomas has helped to consult incredible minority entrepreneur's that have raised millions of dollars and also consulted small businesses as they enter the digital age.

Episode Summary

In this episode Thomas discusses the power of attending an HBCU, remaining authentic while black in the corporate space and transistioning from corporate to entrepreneur and back to corporate. He also shares his strategies to getting out of his own way and setting himself up for success through taking initiative.

Insight from this episode:

How being from a tough neighborhood has helped Thomas endure the ups and

downs of his career

Secrets to a how a village can help shape the trajectory of your life
The advantages of having early access to technology and
Secrets to the importance of the HBCU experience
Eye opening experiences and networking of HBCU’s
The power of initiative and things coming full circle
Tools to set yourself up for success
Insight into the power of ad tech
Secrets to navigating marriage and choosing the right partner
Secrets to getting out of your own way

#1 Understand where you want to be and that nothing should stand between you and where you want to be

#2 Thomas is super competitive

#3 Be Authentic

Quotes from the show:

“I’m really comfortable shaking the ceo’s hand because I’ve met much tougher guys in the streets” - Thomas Teel Episode #117

“I think the most important thing for me to do as a black professional… is to let someone else know you can be Cool, Black and Succeed” - Thomas Teel Episode #117

“When you’re looking to work in tech you need that credibility in saying that you started something on your own A. to really fit in the culture because everyone else has done that and B. so that you can have a proper conversation about something that you don’t know how to do” - Thomas Teel Episode #117

Goal Setting Methods/ Measurements

Watching his bank account on a quarterly and weekly basis

“You can literally create the life that you want if you are willing to put the work in” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #117

Resources Mentioned:

Favorite Book:

Favorite Quote:

“Between stimulus and response there is space. In that space is our power to choose ourresponse. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” - Viktor E. Frankl 

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

be your authentic self
reflect and look back
find someone that you can confide in as an entrepreneur

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

Guest Name:

www.enfluencemedia.com

www.Instagram.com/twteel

www.twitter.com/twteel

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 116: The Road To Sirius XM with guest Host Todd Wahnish May 04, 2018

The Create Your Life Series celebrates accomplishing it’s two-year long goal of making it onto Sirius XM. In this episode guest host Todd Wahnish interviews Kevin about the journey and what is next for the show. Listen in for Kevin’s experience with dating shows and for surprise dancing in the studio!

CYLS 115: 10 Secrets You Should Know Before Starting Your Podcast With Kevin Y. Brown Apr 27, 2018

In this episode, Kevin provides his top secrets got the Create Your Life Series nationally syndicated to 100 million impressions per episode. He provides an in-depth overview of what to do before you start and actionable steps to take once you get started.

CYLS 114: New Daily Routines And 10 New Ways To Remain Consistent with Callers and Kevin Y. Brown Apr 20, 2018

About our Guest:

Kevin Y. Brown motivational speaker, author and host brings you insights into the ins and outs of entrepreneurship each week with the Create Your Life series.

Episode Summary:

Kevin is completely transparent, sharing his battles with consistency and how it has become his friend over the years. He explains how his drive to stay consistent has helped him grow his team and create a solid foundation for his personal and team growth. He also gives his 10 ways to achieve with consistency daily and friendly callers across the nation tell their methods for fighting the battle of consistency.

Kevin shares good vibrations with friendly callers across the nation who tell their methods for fighting the battle of consistency. Insight from this episode:

How to win the war with ourselves
How to not take life for granted
Why Kevin chose a new and improved morning routine
The importance of depending on your community for support
The importance of self-care
How to take feedback from others and not lose site

Quotes from the show:

“Sometimes I have to take a step back, take a pause and do some self-care...I’m lucky enough to have people I can call who can step in when I am not up to par,” - caller Tenisha, Queens, NY episode #114

“I think self-care is important and a lot of people don't make time for that because they are so busy working and living their lives and supporting themselves. You have to do self care...just take some time by yourself, a time to reflect on things. - caller Tenisha, Queens, NY episode #114

“Sometimes we wait and wait, even waiting on someone else to make the decision...when in reality we need to just jump out the window and make the decision for ourselves.” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #114

“Being consistent means you are sometimes going to have to operate without all of the information.”- Kevin Y. Brown episode #114

“Being an entrepreneur still applies to life. So whether you are starting a new company or if you say hey, I’m going to create a different type of life for myself, you are still in startup mode. You yourself as a person are a startup to an extent.” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #114

“You have to do self care and it doesn’t necessarily mean spending a bunch of money” - caller Tenisha, Queens, NY episode #114

“Follow your gut and understand it.” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #114

“Don’t prioritize your schedule, schedule your priorities.”- Kevin Y. Brown episode #114

“Forgive yourself for the times you are going to fall off the wagon.”- Kevin Y. Brown episode #114

“Ask yourself, Why am I doing this, why is it important for me to remain consistent.”- Kevin Y. Brown episode #114

“Getting a seat at the table for the conversation is cool, but I want to reach the goal. Do it until it’s done” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #114

“Learn to Forgive Yourself, We all fall short of glory at some point” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #114

“Get out there, achieve and be great in life.” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #114

Kevin Y. Brown’s top ten (at least) ways to stay consistent:

Have a morning ritual.
Schedule it.
Do things even when you don't feel like it.
Forgive yourself.
Take responsibility for the process, not the results.
Allow yourself to grow into who you want to be.
Post your goals and your reminders in your environment.
Tell your friends and social media community what you are up to.
Keep your eye on your why.
Set specific goals.
Set boundaries.
Celebrate your wins.
Focus on progress and not perfection.
Don’t have an all or nothing mindset.
Have a night routine.

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 113: Strategies To Growing Your Meetup Group To 16,000 Members With The Product Guy Jeremy Horn Apr 13, 2018

About Our Guest

Jeremy Horn is an award-winning, product management veteran with 2 decades of experience leading and managing product teams. Jeremy has held various executive and advisory roles, from the founder of several start-ups to driving diverse organizations in online services, consumer products, and wearables. As founder of The Product Group, he has created the largest product management meetup in the world (16k+ members in NYC) and hosts the annual awarding of The Best Product Person. Accelerating the next evolution of product management, Jeremy acted as creator and instructor of the 10-week product management course at General Assembly and The New School, and mentoring at Women 2.0 and Lean Startup Machine (where is has been a judge).
Episode Summary

Jeremy shares how his path of computer programming at five years old has helped him stay ahead of the curve and what is coming in the future of artificial intelligence. He also shares his secrets of building a 16k plus meetup group.

Insights From The Episode:

The power of being ahead of the curve and changing with the times and technology
The importance of vision
New roles in agriculture, artistry, and writing being needed
The importance of AI technology and how it is creating new job opportunities
Insights into Product Management
The secrets of a great Product Manager
Insights into the keys to a strong project manager
Insights into Lean Methodology
The importance of Road Mapping
Insights into companies generating revenue over time
Keys to product success
Insights into Product Meetups
Strategies to grow a meetup to 16k
How to set goals and achieve them

Three Things Jeremy Looks For in Project Managers:

A drive to help others
Creativity
A people person

Quotes From The Show:

"Roadmapping is critical, its how you keep yourself on track, it's how you communicate with what you're doing internally and externally." - Jeremy Horn episode #113

“When you think about AI, it can solve more problems at a greater scale than ever before.” - Jeremy Horn episode #113

"Don't be a victim of death by comparison." - Kevin Y. Brown episode #113

“AI is creating new opportunities for people who would not have had opportunities for jobs.”- Jeremy Horn episode #113

“I didn’t pick product management as much as...i just realized I was doing it.”- Jeremy Horn episode #113

“The best reason to go into product management...is you want to help people.”- Jeremy Horn episode #113

“You are really in it to solve problems and generate revenue for the business.”- Jeremy Horn episode #113

“A product managers will have a road map...at the end of the day you have to be a people person.”- Jeremy Horn episode #113

“Don’t build anything just do a quick tiny slice and throw it out there, if it doesn't work, try something else.”- Jeremy Horn episode #113

“Make sure you can be very adaptive.”- Jeremy Horn episode #113

“Even Apple does research...market testing and experiments.”- Jeremy Horn episode #113

“The meetups are laidback roundtable style..diving into product problems.”- Jeremy Horn episode #113

“You always want objectives to be measurable you always want the results to be verifiable but someone else, not opinionated.”- Jeremy Horn episode #113

Key Components to a Company Like Apple Consistently Being Able to Put Products Out:

1. User testing

2. Experiments

Three Things Why One Products Sells vs. another:

1. Who has the better marketing

2. Who has a better market fit with the right movers in the

industry faster

3. Who executes faster

Resources Mentioned: Google Cloud, Python Cloud

Favorite Quote/Motto: “Just do it” - Nike

Favorite Book: The Neverending Story by Michael Ende

Three keys to creating your best life:

Don’t forget to prioritize your happiness
Don’t overthink it
Build relationships

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

http://theproductguy.com/

Jeremy Horn:

http://twitter.com/theproductguy

https://www.facebook.com/theproductguy

https://www.linkedin.com/in/theproductguy

www.theproductgroup.org

www.theproductmentor.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 112: Secrets to Successful Business and Product Launches with Lenore Kantor Apr 06, 2018

About Our Guest

Lenore Kantor is a strategic advisor to companies and individuals who are managing growth, innovation and change. Lenore founded Launch Warrior to help emerging and established businesses and founders in the technology, creative, financial and professional services sectors to increase revenues, establish market leadership and achieve results by aligning their vision and values with their brand, messaging, strategy and culture. Lenore helps clients to clarify their positioning develop their leadership, manage corporate changes and go to market successfully.

Episode Summary

Lenore tells the difference between those who want to launch a company and those who succeed in launching a company. She shares the importance of finding your market, appreciating feedback, being around creative people, and branding yourself personally and professionally at the same time.

.

Insights From The Episode

Secrets of the Launch Warrior beginnings
The importance of having an internal drive to become an entrepreneur
The importance of industry credibility
The importance of getting a variety of experience while working in the corporate world
How to choose the best clients for your business
How to outsource chief marketing roles
Strategies for breaking down barriers for a successful launch
How to get past procrastination
How to stay motivated when times are challenging
The importance of bonding and networking with like minded individuals
How to balance your spiritual and professional life
The importance of goal setting

Quotes From The Episode

“I do believe people have these moments in their life where they realize something is not...the way they thought it would be.” - Lenore Kantor Episode #112

“Having navigated the corporate world I have a lot of experience managing teams, ...building brands, working with organizations.” - Lenore Kantor Episode #112

“Everyone has different experiences in life. Then you need to look back and reflect and see what was the through line...the thing that made sense and tied everything together.” - Lenore Kantor Episode #112

“What I found early on was there were people I really liked and I wanted to help but they didn’t want to invest in their business. If they don’t want to invest in their business...it's kind of hard to grow if you are not looking to do the things you need to do to make your business better.” - Lenore Kantor Episode #112

“I’m often working with teams...around what are you trying to achieve for the company, what are your priorities and goals, what are you trying to get to. Then what resources do you have and what are your strengths so the two can come together so there can be a better focus and you can be more successful.” - Lenore Kantor Episode #112

Perfectionism holds people back. “People think unless its perfect I don’t want to go live...nothing is perfect, you can spend forever and it will never be perfect. There needs to be a willingness to take a risk, to try… stick your toe in the water, try it and see how it goes.” - Lenore Kantor Episode #112

“The more clear you can be for your organization around what you are really trying to achieve... is that realistic? If that is what you want to achieve then you actually have to say...what is it going to take to get there and am I prepared to make the investment necessary.” - Lenore Kantor Episode #112

“Progress is better than perfection.’ - Kevin Y. Brown episode #112

“Free advice is what it’s worth, its free.”- Lenore Kantor Episode #112

“Passion can get you really far...but at the same time you need to know what it takes to get people to engage in using whatever you are building.” - Lenore Kantor Episode #112

“ Correction is direction, feedback is love. by Dr. Rafael Moffitt” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #112

“Everything is a lesson and an opportunity to learn.” - Lenore Kantor Episode #112

“Try to keep your vision and try to stay positive when you can. The more positive and focused you can be, the more clarity you will have and the better opportunities to manifest what you want.” - Lenore Kantor Episode #112

“It’s really important to try and set goals...it will look different for different people.” - Lenore Kantor Episode #112

Resources Mentioned: Evernote, Smartsheet, 17 hats, Dubsado

Favorite Book: Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

Three keys to creating your best life:

Work on yourself
Treat people with gentleness and kindness
Try and tap into what you really want to create for yourself

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

https://launchwarrior.net/

Lenore Kantor:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/launch-warrior

https://www.facebook.com/launchwarrior/

https://twitter.com/Launch_Warrior

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 111: Co-Founder Conflict And The Power Of Pivoting with Greg Alkalay Mar 30, 2018

About Our Guest

Greg Alkalay is the Co-Founder and CEO of batteryPOP, the online and mobile video network exclusively for 6-11 year olds, where kids are in command of what “POPS.” Recently named among Café Mom’s Top 10 Mom-Approved Sites, the network features curated and unique content ranging from cartoons, live action series, and exclusive interviews covering top trending celebrities and topics for kids. A Princeton University graduate, Greg’s passion for youth entertainment is further inspired by the enthusiasm of his own two children, Harper (3) and Dylan (6 months).

Episode Summary

Greg discusses his bold, entrepreneurial leap and growth in digital children's media. He tells about "licking the frog," first thing every morning, balancing work with parenting, and creating his own distinct media platform. He shares his three jewels for those looking to create their best life.

Insights From The Episode:

Strategies to monetize content
The importance of connecting with the kid audience at eye level
How the audience is calling the shots
Secrets to the kid creative process
How to decide to become an entrepreneur
The importance of emotional and financial support
How to freelance to support the business
The importance of partnerships
How to stay motivated in the down times
Insights into moving past personal roadblocks
Secrets to balancing life and work
The importance of accelerator programs
How to set goals
How to Deal with challenging moments

Quotes From The Show:

“We facilitate great content and get it in front of kids where ever they are.” - Greg Alkalay episode #111

“There is no filter when it comes to kids, they will tell you if something is good or if it is really not good. If they ask to watch five times in a row, you know you have a great piece of content” - Greg Alkalay episode #111

“When it comes to kids content, you need a human being to be apart of the process.” - Greg Alkalay episode #111

“I took that leap, it was plenty scary. There is this myth of entrepreneurship that you drop everything and walk off a cliff and either you land on the next cliff and keep climbing up or you fall and plummet. I had support, so I wasn’t diving into an abyss, I knew I would be ok if I took a run at this.” - Greg Alkalay episode #111

“Having a support network is very important.” - Greg Alkalay episode #111

“Partnerships are the lifeblood of entrepreneurship, I think going at it alone is a very difficult approach.” - Greg Alkalay episode #111

“Look for someone who compliments your skillset. You don’t necessarily need to be working with your best friend, unles you really have different approaches to business.” - Greg Alkalay episode #111

“It’s not about being comfortable, it's about finding someone to fill the roles you are not good at.” - Greg Alkalay episode #111

“Focus is a very tricky thing. When you are running a small business you’ve got a million things to deal with at once. And how do you pick that one thing that is more important than something else.” - Greg Alkalay episode #111

“The two things I am most passionate about in this world are my family and this business I started.” - Greg Alkalay episode #111

“We want to grow this business and it comes down to, are we making money?’ - Greg Alkalay episode #111

“We were all kids at one point, everybody has a take on this.” - Greg Alkalay episode #111

“Keep dreaming and keep working, everything is going to be alright.” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #111

Resources Mentioned: Slack

Favorite Quote: “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Mark Twain

Favorite Book: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Three keys to creating your best life:

Find somebody who wants to go through it with you
Have a plan for success but more importantly have a plan for failure
Get sleep when you can

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

https://www.batterypop.com/

Greg:

friends@batterypop.com

https://twitter.com/galkalay75?lang=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregalkalay/

https://www.facebook.com/Batterypop/

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 110: Leaving The Money And Titles Behind To Chase Your Dreams with Nicole Valentine Mar 23, 2018

About Our Guest

Nicole Valentine, the ”Small Business Champion”, is an entrepreneur, media personality, tech founder, business fitness coach, deal lawyer and strategist, passionate about helping you live your journey with confidence, courage & joy. She is the creator, executive producer and host of TV Special, “Empower Lunch”, which aired in over 90 million US homes on RLTV and ABC Networks.

Nicole Valentine is the Founder of Winly Playbook, a business strategy, data and productivity platform and small business community focused on executing daily wins. She is the CEO of Synergy Business Development, a New York based business growth consultancy. She mentors New York small businesses through government agencies (SBS & MTA) and advises through organizations and corporations (Black Women Talk Tech & American Express OPEN Forum).

Episode Summary

Nicole gives us the secrets to her transition from corporate America to entrepreneur, the ups, and downs of being in business, war stories of being a non-technical founder, secrets to picking the right business partner and superhero names.

Insights From The Episode:

How to grow up in an entrepreneur family
Secrets to creating your own destiny
The importance of preparing before becoming an entrepreneur
The importance of having a good reputation in the business
How to supplement and earn money while building a business
The importance of technology in business
The secrets to overcoming internal hurdles
Strategies to start fresh everyday
The importance of overcoming roadblocks and hurdles
How to see the Big Picture
The importance of a team and partnership in business
The importance of a strong circle of friends
Secrets to goal setting: Vision Boards
Strategies to start and win at your business
Power of being open and humble
Secrets to the time frames it takes to grow a real sustainable business
Secrets to being strong and following your dreams

Quotes From The Show:

“When you start your business you say who is your client? Everybody.” - Nicole Valentine episode #110

“You have to go inside and think...how can I live my life to my best ability.” - Nicole Valentine episode #110

“When we are creating our own lives. How do you want to be remembered?” - Nicole Valentine episode #110

“The life I want to live is one of purpose, of passion of pushing people to their next level. Because I see what they can become.” - Nicole Valentine episode #110

“It takes about a good three years to really have a business model that works.” - Nicole Valentine episode #110

“It’s important to invest in your dreams.” - Nicole Valentine episode #110

“You think you have enough money, but when you are starting a business sometimes you spend more than you may think.” - Nicole Valentine episode #110

“I don’t believe that you have to starve as an entrepreneur or small business owner… you just have to have the right preparation and positioning for your next level” - Nicole Valentine episode #110

“If you show up for your clients if you stand up for your clients and make sure that they are served they will continue to come back to you” - Nicole Valentine episode #110

“Don’t begrudge the movements that you make that seem like detours. There may be times when you have to think about how to transform your business so it can be sustainable.” - Nicole Valentine episode #110

“It’s one thing to have the tech tool in front of you. It’s another thing to have the tool be transformative for the user.” - Nicole Valentine episode #110

“If you are a small business or entrepreneur and you’re doing what you’re doing alone, then you’re not going to go far.” - Nicole Valentine episode #110

“Keep our village tight.” - Nicole Valentine episode #110

“A bad partner can destroy your business.” - Nicole Valentine episode #110

“Someone is always watching what you are doing...when you get that random phone call, then you know what you are doing..that you’ve planted the seeds.” - Nicole Valentine episode #110

“I’m in a good place. I’m in a place of love.” - Nicole Valentine episode #110

Goal Setting Methods: Vision Boarding

Resources Mentioned: Winly Playbook

Favorite Quote: “Travel light, live light.” Yogi Bhajan

Favorite Book: Things Fall Apart by Achebe Chinua

Three keys to creating your best life:

Love yourself
Forgive yourself
Be your authentic self

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

https://www.winlyplaybook.com/#bnr

Guest Name: Nicole Valentine

http://www.nicolevalentine.tv/

https://www.facebook.com/NicoleValentineTV/

https://twitter.com/NValentineTV

https://www.instagram.com/nicolevalentinetv/

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 109: Gentrification Solutions and Personal Finance Strategies with Jerrod Delaine Mar 16, 2018

About Our Guest:

Jerrod Delaine has worked in real estate private equity, consulting, not-for-profit advising and project managing. His efforts have included asset management, acquisitions, construction and development due diligence. He is currently the Director of Development for Carthage Real Estate Advisors LLC. Carthage is a Harlem based development firm focused on affordable and market rate residential development.

Episode Summary:

Jerrod talks about the process and hidden expenses of home buying in New York City, managing your finances and tips to get and keep your credit up. He shares his strategies to work-life balance and some amazing quotes to live by.

Insights From The Episode:

Insights into what gentrification is
Addressing limited housing resources
Getting involved in the real estate game
Understanding emotions vs. the reality of real estate
The importance if building bonds, networking and forming strong relationships in graduate school
The importance of building your credit and saving to purchase a home in New York
The secrets to keeping your revolving credit lines down
PMI: what it is and how it works
The hidden fees a home shopper can run into
Building wealth off of credit
Programs for first time home buyers
Strategies for home buying
Balancing family and work life
Self-care rituals

Quotes From The Show:

“We have to work at how to preserve our resources..one of the primary ways is ownership,”- Jerrod Delaine episode #109.

“Real estate is an emotional thing...the place where your home is,”- Jerrod Delaine episode #109

“The world is changing around us literally,” - Jerrod Delaine episode #109

“America is built on ownership, all of the laws, rules taxes it all benefits those who own this place,” - Jerrod Delaine episode #109

“What is great about this business is you can make a couple good decisions and see exponential benefits,” - Jerrod Delaine episode #109

“Real estate is about forming relationships...but that is in a lot of other industries too,” - Jerrod Delaine episode #109

“You need to have that money saved up and ready for this journey you are running down,” - Jerrod Delaine episode #109

“Even some of the biggest companies in the world, in real estate, use leverage,” - Jerrod Delaine episode #109

“We can do more together, than we can as individuals,” - Jerrod Delaine episode #109

“Failure is not an option, be desperately dedicated,” - Jerrod Delaine episode #109

“The other part of gentrification in our neighborhood is we don’t own a lot of businesses in our community and support those businesses.” - Jerrod Delaine episode #109

Resources Mentioned: I-Phone, Evernote

Real Estate Development: The Process by Jerrod Delaine

Real Estate Development-Gentrification by Jerrod Delaine

Real Estate Development: What is it? by Jerrod Delaine

Favorite Quote: “Desperately dedicated” - Jerrod Delaine episode #109

“Cherish this moment, the next one is always better,” - Jerrod Delaine episode #109

Favorite Book:

I Will Teach You How To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi

Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

Richest Man In Babylon by George S. Clason

Three keys to creating your best life:

Figure out your goals. What will make you happy and are you working toward it?
Figure out how you can build for your family.
Give back.

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

http://www.jerroddelaine.com/

Guest Name: Jerrod Delaine

https://www.facebook.com/jerrod.delaine

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrod-delaine-b0718112/

https://www.instagram.com/gjd244

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 108: A Nude Perspective on Tech and Beauty with Atima Lui Mar 09, 2018

About Our Guest:

Atima Lui is a Harvard business school grad who started the company Nudest.

Nudest is a company building patent-pending skin tone matching technology for humans of every color with computer vision and machine learning. Nudest is a technology solution to make it possible for people to find products that match their skin tone. With a team consisting of software engineers Nudest’s website was created to offer the products which are “changing the definition of nude.” The patent-pending Nude Meter is available now on nudest.co.

Episode Summary

Atima Lui discusses creating tech that redefines the standard of beauty for the world, secrets to staying confident, and the importance of sharing vision while leading the industry.

Insights From the Episode:

Nude doesn’t match 84% of the global population
Love thyself techniques
The importance of surrounding yourself with positive, supportive and encouraging people.
Finding resources to inspire you.
The importance of commiserating with a group of like-minded peers.

Having goals that are clear about where you are heading.
The importance of motivation is crucial.
Staying focused on your number one goal.
The importance of getting feedback from your target market before moving ahead
Knowing when to pivot
Addressing your mental health needs
Secrets to staying confident in yourself
The importance of expressing the overall vision to the team
The importance of celebrating every little thing as a team
Secrets to working with family
Shades of a product
Insight on the ratio of working vs. planning

Quotes From The Show

Nudest is, “Changing the standard of beauty to match the full range of diversity in human skin.” Atima Lui episode #108

“Some of the best start up ideas seem like a no brainer.” Atima Lui episode #108

“I think that when you are a little start up it is a big deal when you have a big company willing to negotiate with you... Just getting that seat at the table is massive and worthy of celebrating.” Atima Lui episode #108

Atima Lui spent her youth “subconsciously consciously taking in imagery of what beauty is supposed to look like.” Atima Lui episode #108

"Learning my past, learning all of the people from whom i have benefitted and the shoulders that I stand on that is a big part of feeling proud and black” - Atima Lui Episode #108
"I have had to cut out some friends who are more about competition over community” - Atima Lui Episode #108
“I am around people who see my success as their success” - Atima Lui Episode #108
“Look inside yourself for what you are supposed to do with your life” - Atima Lui Episode #108

"If you’re going to have a life partner…that person needs to be radically supportive of you, not just when it’s convenient for this person’s career… this person needs to see your success as their success, be willing to sacrifice for you to get where you need to be” - Atima Lui Episode #108

“You have to create a standard and everybody else who comes into the arena they need to live by it, you also have to offer an experience and make people want to show up and that's a part of being authentic as well” - Kevin Y. Brown Episode #108
“Somebody might reject you right now, that's because they don’t know who you are, it will come full circle and they’ll be asking for your help or to work with you or they will have respect for you or they’ll find out not too long after.” - Kevin Y. Brown Episode #108
“Rejection is not final, the real key is not to internalize it" - Kevin Y. Brown Episode #108
“Everything is not for you, but something is and that something nobody can take away” - Kevin Y. Brown Episode #108

Resources Mentioned: Shopify

Favorite Quote: “Done is better than perfect.” Sheryl Sandberg

Favorite Book: Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

Three keys to creating your best life:

Not to look outside yourself, but to look inside yourself for what you are supposed to do with your life.
If you are going to have a life partner, that person needs to be radically supportive of you.
You want to find something that you are incredibly passionate about. The entrepreneur life is incredibly hard, so you have to do something that makes you happy so you can go back and say, I’m enjoying this. That way, as they say, you will never work a day in your life.

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

https://shop.nudest.co/pages/about-us

Guest Name: Atima Lui

https://www.instagram.com/atimalui/

https://twitter.com/atimalui

https://www.facebook.com/nudst.co/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/atima/

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 107: Chasing Curiousity While Affirming Your Future With Jonathan McCrory Mar 02, 2018

About our Guest:

Obie award winning and Adelco nominated Harlem based artist who has served as director of Theatre Arts at Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s National Black Theatre since 2012. He's also directed numerous productions including Dead and Breathing, HandsUp, Hope Speaks, Blacken The Bubble. He was awarded the Emerging Producer Award by the National Black Theatre Festival and Winston Salem North Carolina and the Torchbearer Award by Theatrical Legend Woody King Jr. He is a founding member of the collaborative producing organization Harlem 9, Next Generation National Network and The Movement Theatre Company. He sits on the National Advisory Committee for Black Theatre Commons and How Round. Was a member of the original cohort for Art Equity and is a proud emerge N.Y.C. Alumni A Washington D.C. native, and he attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in New York University,Tisch School of the Arts.

Episode Summary

Jonathan shares secrets of his journey of going from actor to behind the scenes to becoming the director of theater at the National Black Theater at 25. He shares his mission of helping other creatives and secrets to make sure that his work is growing.

Insight from this episode:

Secrets to meaningful connections
Secret to bridging the gap between the old and the new and still staying in alignment with Dr. Teer’s vision.
How to deal with adversity of people who want things to stay the same
How to go about setting and accomplishing goals
Strategies on self care rituals
How to gauge and make sure that the work you are doing is improving
Rubrics/benchmarks to measure success
Jonathan sees success of the work that is being accomplished by the human transformation of the people he is able to touch, and what they are able to accomplish.

3 tips to survive as artist in the city

“Find your tribe, find the people who can share space with you and hold you down in love and in light and help you to lean into the discomfort in love and light” - Jonathan McCrory episode #107
Dont get goal jacked
Be generous

3 self care rituals that you use

Meditation
Take baths
Smile

Quotes from the show:

“Don’t Get Goal Jacked” - Jonathan McCrory Episode #107

“I like joy, I love to smile, it was a gift given to me by mother and grandmother and my dad and all of those lineages coming together really helpled to cultivate a space where i got to learn black boy joy” - Jonathan McCrory episode #107

“when you lead after voicing it with an intentionality of manifesting the resources from the universe provide it” - Jonathan McCrory episode #107

“The algorithim to success: you have to uplift from the muck to become the diamond” - Jonathan McCrory episode #107

“What you do not know is something you have to be generous in starting to know” - Jonathan McCrory episode #107

“Your POV is limited because of the beautiful live you have been able to live” - Jonathan McCrory episode #107

“The quest for greatness and purpose and for being energized is to dismantle those blind spots to a space where your pov has a 360 reality to it and then you start to become awakened to humanity” - Jonathan McCrory episode #107

“The more specificity you have the more universal you will become” - Jonathan McCrory episode #107

“If we are to be our ancestors wildest dreams…inside of that conversation is we are the vessels to manifest unfinished works” - - Jonathan McCrory episode #107

“Whatever’s not serving me I send it back to the sender” - Jonathan McCrory episode #107

“I strive for excellence and excellence is a moving target” - Jonathan McCrory episode #107

“When I think I know excellence, there is another realm of excellence” - Jonathan McCrory episode #107

“I will spend the entirety of my life trying to achieve with joy, curiosity and anticipation” - Jonathan McCrory episode #107

Resources Mentioned:

Inside Timer App-Apple
Inside Timer App-Android

Favorite Book:

The Alchemist

Favorite Quote:

“I’m my ancestors’ wildest dreams.”-Unknown

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Understand that this walk might physically be lonely by you’re never spiritually alone. - Jonathan McCrory episode #107
Through silence you will interrupt the noise. - Jonathan McCrory episode #107
When you wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and honestly tell yourself you love yourself
There’s nothing to fear inside of the darkness. You are light. - Jonathan McCrory episode #107

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

www.kevinybrown.com www.instagram.com/kevinybrown

Kevin:

Guest Name:

www.jonathanmccrory.com

Email Jonathan@natioanlblacktheatre.org

www.Instagram.com/JYMC86

Fb.com.com/mccrory1

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 106: Love & CEOing - Secrets to Balancing Love and Entrepreneurship Feb 23, 2018

Two CEO couples share the blueprint for balancing entrepreneurship, parenting, and personal growth. They share secrets to finding a supportive mate and the importance of consistency.

About our Guest:

Melissa Wahnish is the founder of RubyThursday, a free weekly online show that gives junior Rails developers bite sized tutorials, tips and tricks to help them grow. Along with her husband, she builds startups for non-technical entrepreneurs.

Eric Fondren is the CEO of Itell.io, a company that provides a digital advertising platform for ATM owners to digitally advertise to their customers.

Todd Wahnish is the Founder of cleverera.com.. He is an award winning artist, animator and product designer having created notable works for Marvel Entertainment, Cartoon Network, and artist Jeff Koons. He holds a BFA from the Atlanta College of Art, is married to his beautiful co-founder and loves making things people want through story centered design.

Danielle Fondren is a program manager for a substance abuse center.

Episode Summary:

Kevin, Eric Fondren and Todd Wahnish team up with their wives Melissa Wahnish and Danielle Fondren to discuss love and how their relationships are impacted by having entrepreneurs in the family.

Insight from this episode:

How to tell that you are in a good, healthy relationship
How to keep a healthy relationship while growing personally
Why searching for perfection doesn’t work
How to navigate the nuances of your partner
Tips to scouting the perfect mate, the importances of consistency
- Consistency is how the person acts in different situations and just connecting with you as a person.
The benefits of being inspired by your partner and complimenting when and where they come up short
Insight on who to talk to while married
The importance of asking for help
Tips for setting boundaries when working from home
The benefits of bringing in your spouse or someone you are dating slowly
The work never stops and it takes a long time to see results
How to support an entrepreneur when the business isn’t going well
The benefit of communicating your needs

Secrets to balancing work, parenting and living your life:

Scheduling
Parenting means working together
Work life will come into the home life from time to time and you support your partner

Tips for dating an entrepreneur:

Take the risk
Be open
Be open to being wrong
Don’t be afraid to switch roles
Accept the crazy schedule and don’t be afraid to help out
Show appreciation for the hard work

Quotes from the show:

“CE-Uh-Ohing” - Todd Wahnish Episode #106

“When the person you are with inspires you to be yourself, not to put on, or be something you're not... If you can purely be yourself, then that is the person for you.” -Danielle Fondren Episode #106

“This is something you can be grumpy on inside.” - Melissa Wahnish Episode #106

“You don’t have to always say everything. Sometimes a touch, a look, or a gesture makes as much sense as anything else would. “-Eric Fondren Episode #106

“You have to really understand that the failure isn’t a failure of yourself and it’s not failure in the other person.“ Melissa Wahnish Episode #106

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Communicate your needs
Don’t be afraid to get into a relationship with an entrepreneur
Work together and be a team

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

https://twitter.com/_rubythursday_

Melissa:

Email: melissa@rubythursday.com

www.rubythursday.com

Danielle:

www.instagram.com/dannni_face

Eric:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericnfondren

Todd:

On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and The Heroic in History - Thomas Carlyle

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 105: Focus on Focus - 20 Ways To Re - Focus and Stay Focused Throughout The Year Feb 16, 2018

Kevin provides his 20 strategies to re - Focus and Stay Focused Throughout The Year. He also discusses his birthday celebration,
journey in NYC with friends along with his new wake up schedule. and secrets to making it to 100 episodes.

CYLS 104: Surviving The Shark Tank - Lessons From Over 5,000 Shark Tank Pitches with Brandon Andrews Feb 09, 2018

About our Guest:

A communicator, social innovator, and entrepreneur, Brandon Andrews works with Values Partnerships to lead a nationwide casting tour focused on bringing more diverse ideas and voices to ABC’s hit show, Shark Tank. He is also leading an effort to support entrepreneurs through developing a network of capital, skill-building, and other resources.

In 2015, Andrews worked with A+E Networks, iHeartMedia, and the United Way to develop the Shining A Light Concert for Progress on Race in America, Shining a Light Fund, and Conversations on Race in America documentary.

Previously, Andrews worked as a consultant assisting disruptive and social impact organizations with digital strategy, online advocacy, and navigating the federal system. He spent 5 years in the U.S. Senate where he handled technology, small business, and defense policy.

Andrews assisted in planning the first My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Data Jam, which laid the groundwork for evidence-based MBK work around the country. He is also a mentor for Qeyno Labs' MBK hackathons, engaging thousands of young men of color in computer science education nationwide. He was appointed to the D.C. Commission on National and Community Service.

Brandon provides commentary on policy, politics, and entrepreneurship on TVOne, BBC, NPR, Fox News, and other outlets.

Episode Summary

In this episode Brandon shares his secrets to garnering and sustaining relationships that have put him in positions of power. Tips on surviving on ABC's shark tank, calculating what you should be paid for your time, paid vs free work and his journey of becoming a man.

Insight from this episode:

Reasons why always being of service helps
Strategies to sustain relationships both professional and personal
3 keys to sustaining relationships – find the right people to make sure you

are in the right company, be consistent, build layers to your relationships,

How to Decipher between authentic and in-authentic relationships
The importance of keeping your word
Tips on how to calculate what you should be paid for your time
Tips on how to survive the Shark Tank show
Tips on if you should take venture capital funding

Quotes from the show:

“The spark of innovation and the grit that you need to grow a business overtime, those attributes exist in every community, every zip code, every area around the country and really around the world but the resources do not.” – Brandon Andrews episode #104

“Your heart might be right, your mind might be right but that doesn’t mean that your wallet will be right from volunteering to do work” – Brandon Andrews episode #104 on volunteering vs. being paid for your time

“The key to not being taken advantage, the key to making sure it makes sense is to do check ins with yourself and check ins with whoever is in power at the organization.” – Brandon Andrews episode #104

Resources Mentioned:

https://buffer.com/
Brandon’s phone number: 2028313031

Favorite Book:

The Fire Next Time - James Baldwin

Harvard Busines Review's 10 Must Reads on Managing Yourself

Favorite Quote: “My feet’s is tired but my soul is rested” – Sister Pollard

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Raise your hand and volunteer
Do what you have to do no matter what, keep moving forward
Connect to something bigger than yourself

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

http://www.twitter.com/brandontalk

Guest Name:

www.brandonandrews.me

www.Instagram.com/yesbrandon

https://www.facebook.com/Brand.Andrews

Brandon’s phone number: 2028313031

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 103: Goal Crushing Workshop Re-cap and 10 Ways To Plan and Host Your Own Event Feb 02, 2018

In this episode participants from the goal crushing worshop come on air to discuss their experience at the seminar and which goals they are looking forward to accomplishing this year. Kevin also gives out his 10 ways to plan and host your own event.

CYLS 102: CEO TALKS - Difficult Negotiations with Eric Fondren and Todd Wahnish Jan 26, 2018

Kevin, Eric and Todd give in depth insights of their experiences negotiationing to change terms, dodging shady characters who try to take advantage of them and understanding that a deal is not real until it is paid for not signed for.

CYLS 101: What Are You Thankful For? Jan 26, 2018

In this episide guests call in from around the country and discuss what they are thankful for and are hopeful for in the New Year. They alsoo share strategies to make your dreams come true.

CYLS 100: Making My Childhood Dreams Come True Jan 19, 2018

Episode Summary

Kevin walks us through his of making his 12-year-old dreams come true. During this episode many who have witnessed his growth, sacrifices and triumphs on the journey to where he is now call in and share their stories from the sidelines.

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

Http://Www.Insanevegan.Com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 099: 10 Ways To Make Yourself An Investible Asset Jan 12, 2018

Episode Summary

Listeners (CYLS family) call in and share their 3 things that make them invest in others. They also share what they are looking forward to in the new year.

Insight from this episode:

Listener #1 Melany Ellis

3 qualities you look for in people when you decide to invest in them:

Confidence
Be Informed About What You Are Seeking
Be Genuine
Let Your Passion Shine Through
Her friends invest in her because they see her walk, she is walking in her purpose

What is your big goal for next year:

Flexibility

Listener #2 Derek Devan

3 qualities you look for in people when you decide to invest in them:

Discipline
A person keeps their word
Action

Why do your friends invest in you?

Because he is a positive person and loves to motivate others to do what they want to do.

What is your big goal for next year:

To become financially intelligent, start his businesses and set goals by writing them down

Listener #3 Tearra Vaughn

3 qualities you look for in people when you decide to invest in them:

Ability to connect
Network
Share insights

Why do your friends invest in you?

Confident
Team Player
Shares Resources

What is your big goal for next year:

To make the most of their collaboration

Listener #3 Charlton McKinney

3 qualities you look for in people when you decide to invest in them:

Everyday Attitude, How Enthusiastic They Are, How Inspired

They Are

Self Starter
They Practice Appreciation

Why do your friends invest in you?

Optimistic
Solution Focused
Huge On Communication

What is your big goal for next year:

To Expand His Startup Http://Www.Insanevegan.Com
Set Goals
Weekly Scheduler And Calendar

Listener #3 Kris Brice – Bell (Memphis)

3 qualities you look for in people when you decide to invest in them:

Confidence
Are you pursuing the goals that you want to pursue, do

you have a plan

What have you overcome

Why do your friends invest in you?

Persistent
Positive/ half- full perspective
Do things well even if its the slower route
Never give up

What is your big goal for next year:

The difference between a dream and a goal is, a dream is

something you think of a goal is something that you write

down

Big goal for next year is to investing in himself, cryptocurrency, and real estate

Quotes from the show:

“Anybody can talk about what they are doing and what they are passionate about, not everybody is walking in their purpose and living it” - Melany Ellis Episode #99

Resources Mentioned:

6 months to Six Figures

https://shopmodelatelier.com/

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 098: CEO Talks – Setting And Achieving Goals For Your Organization with Lenore Kantor and Eric Fondren Jan 05, 2018

About our Guests:

Eric Fondren is the CEO of Itell.io, a company that provides a digital advertising platform for ATM owners to digitally advertise to their customers.
Lenore Kantor is a branding and launch expert who has introduced more than 100 new products, services and business processes across a wide range of technology and financial services companies over 20+ years. A hands-on executive, she has built new product management and marketing communications functions from scratch, led international teams and budgets both large and small.

Episode Summary

Kevin, Lenore and Eric discuss their personal and organizational challenges that they are looking to improve upon. Each of them also outlines their goal setting and achievement processes for their businesses.

Insight from this episode:

Identifying your biggest challenges in the CEO seat
Understanding product market fit and the right customers
key indicators of clients
Get paid upfront from your time and effort = helps you distinguish

between clients that are serious

How to hire virtually
How to get to achieve your inner peace as a CEO
The importance of a daily routine
The benefits of investing in life outside of work
How to close more by finding the right clients
Breaking down goals for your organization

Quotes from the show:

“whether or not you ask yourself if you’re doing enough is the mark of an entrepreneur and you shouldnt be upset about the question being asked you should be worried about how you are answering the question.” - Eric Fondren Episode #98

“We have to get beyond the transactional to the relational” - Lenore Kantor Episode #98

“If you have a role and your hiring for it the person needs to be able to come in and do that job, it should not be that they come in and learn” - Eric Fondren Episode #98

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

Eric:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericnfondren

Lenore Kantor:

http://www.launchwarrior.net

http://www.twitter.com/lkantor

http://www.twitter.com/launch_warrior

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenorekantor/

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 097: Pt. 2 The Journey From Failed Startup to 2 Successful Companies with Su Sanni Dec 29, 2017

About our Guest:

Su is the CEO & Co-founder at WeDidIt, a New York-based tech company that helps nonprofit organizations fundraise online. For the last 6 years, Su has helped hundreds of nonprofit organizations raise funds and find new donors through WeDidIt's innovative technology. Some of WeDidit’s customers include Amnesty International, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, NYC Coalition Against Hunger, LA Zoo, and Stupid Cancer. and he is now working on a new venture called dollaride on the side.  

Episode Summary:

Su takes us on his journey of failing in one startup to creating two successful companies. He teaches us the importance of flexibility, how self awareness has helped him in his partnership and how to run a company as a non – technical founder.

Insight from this episode:

Strategies to create a strong team
how to bounce back after your company fails
The importance of sales experience and how to acquire the selling skill
Why and how saying No is a superpower The importance of self-awareness to learn where your gaps are as an entrepreneur
The benefits and challenges of being a non-technical co-founder
The importance and ways to build trust in a partnership
How to stay grounded after receiving norotoriety and funding
Keys to setting and accomplishg goals as a team
Keys to a successful relationship
Su was inspired to quit his job and go into the non profit world because of 1 question from his mom

Quotes from the show:

“Choose to work on projects or at companies or in ventures where you'ree going to enjoy the process more than the end result” Su Sanni episode #96

I don't let dreams stay dreams, I put the work in, I bend the world to my will in order to make it happen - Su Sanni ep #97

“You have to be humble enough to know that you don’t know everything and bold enough to ask questions to people who know more than you” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #97

“Being right means nothing when you loose everything” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #97

Resources Mentioned:

Slack.com

Favorite Book:

The Lean Startup
Zero to 1

Favorite Quote:

“If you will it, it is no dream” - Theodor Herzl

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Make long-term goals but try to enjoy the journey towards those goals - fall in love with process not the end result
Surround yourself with mentors and people who have been there and done that
Create a habit of learning

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

https://www.dollaride.com/

Su Sanni:

www.wedidit.it

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sulaimansanni

https://twitter.com/thesusanni

https://www.facebook.com/ssanni

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 096: Pt. 1 The Journey From Failed Startup to 2 Successful Companies with Su Sanni Dec 29, 2017

About our Guest:

Su is the CEO & Co-founder at WeDidIt, a New York-based tech company that helps nonprofit organizations fundraise online. For the last 6 years, Su has helped hundreds of nonprofit organizations raise funds and find new donors through WeDidIt's innovative technology. Some of WeDidit’s customers include Amnesty International, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, NYC Coalition Against Hunger, LA Zoo, and Stupid Cancer. and he is now working on a new venture called dollaride on the side.  

Episode Summary:

Su takes us on his journey of failing in one startup to creating two successful companies. He teaches us the importance of flexibility, how self awareness has helped him in his partnership and how to run a company as a non – technical founder.

Insight from this episode:

Strategies to create a strong team
how to bounce back after your company fails
The importance of sales experience and how to acquire the selling skill
Why and how saying No is a superpower The importance of self-awareness to learn where your gaps are as an entrepreneur
The benefits and challenges of being a non-technical co-founder
The importance and ways to build trust in a partnership
How to stay grounded after receiving norotoriety and funding
Keys to setting and accomplishg goals as a team
Keys to a successful relationship
Su was inspired to quit his job and go into the non profit world because of 1 question from his mom

Quotes from the show:

“Choose to work on projects or at companies or in ventures where you'ree going to enjoy the process more than the end result” Su Sanni episode #96

I don't let dreams stay dreams, I put the work in, I bend the world to my will in order to make it happen - Su Sanni ep #97

“You have to be humble enough to know that you don’t know everything and bold enough to ask questions to people who know more than you” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #97

“Being right means nothing when you loose everything” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #97

Resources Mentioned:

Slack.com

Favorite Book:

The Lean Startup
Zero to 1

Favorite Quote:

“If you will it, it is no dream” - Theodor Herzl

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Make long-term goals but try to enjoy the journey towards those goals - fall in love with process not the end result
Surround yourself with mentors and people who have been there and done that
Create a habit of learning

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

https://www.dollaride.com/

Su Sanni:

www.wedidit.it

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sulaimansanni

https://twitter.com/thesusanni

https://www.facebook.com/ssanni

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 095: Listener Call - Ins & Opinions on Why People Invest in Others Dec 22, 2017

Episode Summary

Listeners (CYLS family) call in and share their stories and expertise on how they have got others to invest in them and tips that they have for making yourself a investible asset.

Insight from this episode:

Tips to get others to invest in you:

Listener #1 Nicole Anderson, California Educaator

follow your calling
pay attention to peoples leadership skills
understand that this is a long term investment

Listener #2 Andrew Johnson, ESPN:

Invest in people who invest with you
Loyalty,
Invest in loyal friends

Listener #3 Jodi-Kay Williams, rising attorney at law:

Aspiration and desire to be in a better place
Willingness to accept help
Look for the win - win
Be bold enough to reach out
Have a skillset

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 094: The Rewards Of Following Your Passion with Raphael Benavidas Dec 15, 2017

About our Guest:

Raphael is the owner of ricardos steak house, corner social, mintons playhouse and the cecil steak house as well as an executie chef, who uses his culinary mastery to incite creativity and fun with food. He is also the exectuive producer for east harlem presents which is a performing-arts venue with a multi-use art gallery space & independent programming. He is also the owner and artistic director of the Poet's Den Theater & Gallery and founder of the east harlem international film festival.

Episode Summary

Raphael talks about his journey immigrating to the United states, going into the family business. He breaks down his goal setting process, secrets to his decision making when taking on a new project and his secrets to creating a great team.

Insight from this episode:

Why trusting your gut and taking risks is important even against a great opportunity Why Raphael turned down his internship opportunity on the first day to follow his intuition
The 4 step process to making a decision before taking on

a new project including opening a restaurant How to play to your strength

Business tips for selling art
Why money is not in the top 3 of opening a business 
Secrets to aligning great partnerships
Raphaels rejuvenating rituals
Money is not what is going to make the business

Quotes:

“Dont ever do anything for monetary reasons, money is always the by product of what you do” - Raphael Benevidas episode #94

Anyone can paint art, but it takes a genius to sell it” - Raphael Benevidas episode #94

Resources Mentioned:

Cell phone

Favorite Book: Brains on fire

Favorite Quote: “If you never try, youll never know if it could have been”?

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Be passionate about whatever you do
Nurture your personal relationships
Dont ever do anything for monetary reasons

Stay Connected:

Kevin:

instagram.com/raphaelbaccus

Guest Name:

www.eastharlempresents.org

https://twitter.com/poetsdentheater

https://www.facebook.com/raphael.baccus

Email: raphael@mintonsharlem.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 093: How to Get What You Want Instead of What Someone Thinks You Deserve with Bari A. Williams Dec 08, 2017

About our Guest:

Currently Head of Business Operations Management, North America at StubHub, formerly, Lead Counsel for the Global Infrastructure, Development, and Operations (“Inbound”) Commercial Legal team at Facebook Award winning attorney, receiving the Excellence in Legal Innovation award from national bar association, 40 under 40 from both the Digital Diversity Network and national bar associations . she is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley (BA, Mass Communications), St. Mary’s College of California (MBA), the University of California, Los Angeles (MA, African-American Studies), and the University of California, Hastings College of Law (JD). She is also very active in her community as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Links, Incorporated, and in political organizing and fundraising at the local, state, and national level. An Oakland native, she and her husband, Jaime, live in Oakland with their two children.

About this Episode:

Bari discusses overcoming hiring disappointment from google, quitting her job, creating the supplier diversity program at Facebook through pitching a dynamic presentation to the CFO all while being a mom, wife, daughter and friend.

Insight from this episode:

The importance of following good advice
Why and how law school can be an advantageous career

choice

The difference between constructive and destructive law
Secrets to supporting your partner and keeping a strong relationship throughout challenges
Keys to staying focused on your grind
Breaking through to be your authentic self in the workplace and in every aspect of your life
Overcoming depression
Delayed is not Denied
“Take jobs if you can at the beginning of the year because that’s when budgets are set” - Bari A. Williams episode #
The power of vulnerability and trust
Strategies to create of a compelling presentation
How to get what you want: know yourself, know your circle and

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.doordash.com

https://munchery.com

Favorite Book:

A Colony and A Nation

Between The World and Me

The Bluest Eye

Kindred

The Loneliness of the Black Republican

Favorite Quote:

“Expect what you Accept” - Grandma Bettye Sudduth & Bari A. Wiliams Episode #93

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Expect What You Accept
Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude
Find & Master something that you are passionate about
Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do.
When it’s everybody else, it’s actually you

Stay Connected:

Kevin:

https://www.bariawilliams.com

Guest Name:

www.instagram.com/bari.a.williams

https://twitter.com/bariawilliams

https://www.facebook.com/bari.a.williams

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 092: Leadership Secrets for Keeping the CEO Seat with Henry Thompson Dec 04, 2017

Episode Summary

Henry provides us his secrets to being a revered 8 plus year CEO by establishing a great company culture and a vision that his team will be on board with. He also discusses the different types of leadership and when to implement the different styles. 

Insight from this episode:

The importance of Fatherhood
How Henry’s mom impacted his life and showed him the meaning of hardwork and dedication
Secrets to being a great CEO
The power and impact that every job has on your journey
Learning humility through working hard
Establishing a great company culture and a vision that your team will be on board with and execute.
The Misconceptions about the CEO Role
Secrets to work life balance
Secrets getting your employees on baord with your vision
Icebreakers to improve employee moral
The importance and value that transparency has with your team
The Different types of leadership styles and when to implement the different styles

Quotes from the show:

“Two things that you must do, that must come from you as the team leader, you have to have a vision and be able to articulate that vision and you have to be able to manage your culture.” – Henry Thompson Episode #92

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.eclinicalworks.com/ 
chcrichmond.org
careers@chcrichmond.org

Favorite Book:

Count of Monte Cristo

Favorite Quote:

“Go Hard or Go Home” - Unknown 

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Be comfortable with the person in the mirror
Have people in your life that will hold you accountable, understand the people that you have with you
Have passion for whatever you do

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

Guest Name:

www.chcrichmond.com

hthompson@chcrichmond.org

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 090: Escaping Death to Find Personal Peace & Health with Changa Bell with Changa Bell Dec 01, 2017

Episode Summary:

Changa highlights how his near death experience and changed his lifestyle choices and diet, his travels around the world, being a father of 6 and working as a team with his wife to create new opportunities 

Insight from this episode:

Secrets to the entire Yoga lifestyle
Supportive techniquest to keep your inner peace
How to find yourself by living and stepping out of your comforzone even in a foreign land
Learning to be borderless
The 7 princples of mindfulness
Understanding the power of telling others what they can do vs. what they should do
Finding peace in what you enjoy
Secrets to selecting a great partner

Quotes from the show:

“I always tell people that leadership is lonely, so I became a leader of myself” - Changa Bell Episode #90

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.getharvest.com/
paypal.com

Favorite Book:

Favorite Quote:

Great doubt: great awakening. Little doubt: little awakening. No doubt: no awakening. - Zen Koan

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Hug on, hold on, don’t let go of peace
Be Authentic
Be curious with compassion

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

http://www.changabell.com

Guest Name:

http://www.bmyi.org

http://www.Instagram.com/changabell

http://www.twitter.com/changabell

www.fb.com/changabell

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 091: How Intuition, Grit and Creativity Grew Into A Global Children’s Brand with Marjuan Canady Dec 01, 2017

About our Guest:

Marjuan Canady, a native Washingtonian with Trinidadian/African-American roots, is an award winning writer, actress, playwright, director, educator and producer for both film and the stage. Canady is the founder and CEO of her multi-media production company, Sepia Works.

She is the CEO / Author / Co-creator of the children’s media brand Callaloo. Originally conceived as a theatrical play, Marjuan has led her team in building Callaloo into a brand consisting of books, puppet shows, digital content, animation, arts education programming and merchandise. Canady’s first children’s book Callaloo: A Jazz Folktale was published in 2013 in which she received the 2013 First Time Author’s Award from the National Library of Trinidad and Tobago. School of the Arts

Episode Summary:

Learning through failure, being rejected from roles, creating a global children’s brand, trusting her gut, having 6 jobs at once , touring and growing her performance fee, writing her own original work & bringing youth of color to the theater

Insight from this episode:

How to find the passion to create your original work
Keys to knowing you are enough
Strategies to overcoming depression and downtimes on your journey
How to grow your fee’s
Marjuan shares her superpower that she earned from her rejections
Strategies to overcome stereotypes
Marjuan gives a live performance of characters from her one woman show and play
Steps to become and remain a profitable artist
The power of your friend group pushing you to the next level
How to be supportive and winning as a team
The importance of saying “No”

Quotes from the show:

“You can’t just be one thing” – Marjuan Canady Episode #91

Resources Mentioned:

Favorite Book:

Favorite Quote:

“If you don’t see you in the world, Script Your Story” –Marjuan Canady Episode #91

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Be patient and be patient with yourself
Do The Work
Enjoy the process

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

http://www.marjuancanady.com/

Guest Name:

https://www.instagram.com/marjuancanady

https://twitter.com/marjuancanady

‪callalookids.com

‪sepiaworks.org

‪canadyfoundationarts.org

www.callalookids.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Callaloothebook

https://www.instagram.com/callaloothebook

www.twitter.com/‪callaloothebook

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 089: From Homeless To Running 3 Multi - Million Dollar Companies with Everette Taylor Nov 24, 2017

About our Guest:

Everette Taylor is a four-time entrepreneur, marketing executive, public speaker and writer. His entrepreneurial career started at the age of 19 with his first company which was acquired 2 years later. Since then he has started three multi-million dollar companies: the marketing firm MilliSense where he serves as CEO, co-founded GrowthHackers.com where he served as VP of Growth, and recently founded the company PopSocial – the software company that provides affordable solution for brands to grow on social media where he also serves as CEO.

About this Episode:

In this episode Everette speaks very candidly about his high school homeless experience, dropping out of college, battling depression to becoming a top tech marketer and now running 3 multi- million dollar companies.

Insight from this episode:

How to channel your internal happiness
Keys to working smarter not harder
The power of trust
Secrets to scaling your company to $3 million in revenue in 15 months
How Everette overcame being homeless and stayed motivated in spite of his circumstances
The three sides to a person
The three skills you need to have to be successful in todays world
** Everyone needs to know how to code and to have an understanding of the digital space
** Engineers in tech are trying to cut you out

Quotes:

“Skillset is the new currency” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #89

The #1 thing people miss when it comes to marketing is the product or service itself - Everette Taylor Episode #89

Resources Mentioned:

http://www.stripe.com

Favorite Quote:

“Who You Are Today Is Not Good Enough For Tomorrow” - Everette Taylor Episode #89

Favorite Book:

The Harry Potter Series

Hacking Growth

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Self Care
Stay True To Who You Are
Build A Real Skillset

www.popsocial.co 25% off coupon code CYLS

Kevin:

www.instagram.com/everette

Guest Name:

https://twitter.com/everette

http://www.popsocial.co

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 088: Everybody Eats At The Family Dinner Table with Lawrence Adjah Nov 17, 2017

About our Guest:

Lawrence E. Adjah is an entrepreneur and community builder dedicated to creating content, community and conversation that unites, heals and transforms lives.

He’s the Founder and Chair of Family Dinner Foundation, an international, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to connect the world as a family at, and beyond, the dinner table.

Episode Summary

Lawrence discusses building friendships and relationships as an adult, the challenges of running a global volunteer organization and the importance of a network vs. people who actually care about you.

Insight from this episode:

Lawrence’s background as a Nigerian American growing up in New Jersey and its influence, plus his Olympic dreams and change of focus for his personal goals
The unintentional creation of Our Family Dinner in 2008 based on a responsibility to friend feeling depressed and lost in an unknown city
Taking the idea of extended family and bringing it to the dinner table and creating a viral movement around it
Overcoming the challenges he faced building a global non-profit through taking ownership, building a sustainable/scalable business model, & understanding that friendship and relationships are everything

Next steps for Lawrence and his foundation: continuing to serve around the world and helping to build relationships & friendships

You’ll learn:

Why Lawrence founded the Family Dinner Foundation
How to a worldwide team through understanding the mission and the fundamentals
How to scale up a global volunteer organization
The fundamentals of Networks vs. Relationships and the importance of genuine friendships in business
How Lawrence has accomplished growing the brand globally and empowering a volunteer global staff to further the reach of his brand
The keys to empowering people to partner with you financially
The two different type of dinners that exist for the organization
Tips to train volunteers remotely

Quotes from our guest:

“ If anything, I said just by osmosis how much can I grow and How much can I learn” - Lawrence Adjah episode #88

“Our mission is to connect the world as a family over the dinner table” - Lawrence Adjah episode #88

“Our tradition is everybody eats at the family dinner table” - Lawrence Adjah episode #88

“Something magical happens over a meal” - Lawrence Adjah Episode #88

“Family means everybody” - Lawrence Adjah Episode #88

Resources Mentioned:

Favorite Books:

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch & Jeffrey Zaslow

Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community by Martin Luther King, Jr

Favorite Quotes:

“But from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.” Moses from Deuteronomy 4:29 The Bible
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Paul from 2 Timothy 1:7 The Bible

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Have faith
Be courageous
Use your greatest asset to meet your greatest need

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

http://lawrenceadjah.com/

Guest Name:

Instagram: @adjah_l

Twitter: @ajah_l

Facebook: @lawrence.adjah

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 087: Becoming Financially Clean with Shaun Lynda and Dionne Nicholls Nov 13, 2017

About our Guests:

Shaun Lynda started out from humble beginnings, raised by a single mom and his sister in government housing he excelled in sports and academics. Shaun graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and Finance. He later went on to work on Wall Street for Chase Manhattan Bank, Paine Webber and American Express. Being in a tower during 9/11 was a turning point for him that lead him to branch out on his own in 2002 to launch his online business, NicNatDirect.com, and flip real estate property in Brooklyn. Later in 2006 Shaun’s desire to pass on the knowledge that he had gained over his career to the next generation lead to the concept of CLEAN.
Dionne Nicholls as a young girl, was inspired by high-powered, female New Yorkers from 80's sitcoms, like Claire Huxtable, a Lawyer on the infamous Cosby Show, and Angela Bower, an Advertising Executive on Who's the Boss. However, Dionne's passion was for fashion. Watching her single mother work two jobs to provide for her 4 children, Dionne was not afraid to roll up her sleeves to pursue her dream. In 2015 she found her calling that lead her away from the fashion industry. The opportunity to empower youth for generations resonated with her instantly.

Episode Summary

Shaun and Dionne discuss their journey's of switching careers and now investing in tomorrow’s leaders by teaching them financial literacy. They reveal their secrets of being a dynamic team and stretching their business to NBA rookies and beyond.

Insight from this episode:

The goal and concept behind Financially CLEAN, a fun and interactive program with a mission to help younger generations build a financial plan around their personal goals
The beginning of Financially CLEAN from the motivation of their kids and the education they felt their children were missing
Working with the Department of Education and other government agencies
Two Black Guys with Good Credit, a weekly podcast that educates, entertains, and inspires others to achieve financial goals

You’ll learn:

How to understand your partner's abilities and ways to work more efficient together
Tips that will help you embrace your journey
Strategies to building your audience through networking
How to successfully get beyond the funding challenge
Ways to keep motivation moving forward
The components of starting a podcast and making an impact through its growth
The keys to balancing work and personal life as an entrepreneur and a parent

Quotes:

“If you don’t balance lifestyle with financial literacy, you’ll never be successful” - Shaun Lynda Episode #87

“Know that your goals can always be a moving target” - Shaun Lynda Episode #87

“You have to see for yourself, jump out there”- Kevin Y. Brown Episode #87

Resources Mentioned:

Shaun’s Favorites:

Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun? by Reginald Lewis & Blair Walker
“When one door closes, another opens” Alexander Graham Bell

Dionne’s Favorites:

You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay

“Success is not about your resources. It’s about how resourceful you are with what you have!” Tony Robbins

Shaun’s Keys to Create Your Best Life:

Be confident, don’t let anyone steal your confidence
Master your field of interest
Perseverance- enjoy the journey
Have fun

Dionne’s Keys to Create Your Best Life:

Surround yourself with positive people
Put pen to paper
Keep a “gratitude attitude”

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

http://www.financiallyclean.com/

Shaun:

Instagram @financiallycleanshaun

Dionne:

Instagram @dionnenicholls

Facebook @dionne.nicholls

Twitter @dee2blackguys

Financially CLEAN:

Instagram @financiallyclean

Twitter @FinancialClean

Facebook @financiallyclean

Two Black Guys with Good Credit:

Instagram @twoblackguysgoodcredit

Twitter @tbgwgc2

Facebook @TwoBlackGuysWithGoodCredit

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 086: The Secret to Co - Founder Chemistry with Lindsey Day & Nkrumah Farrar of CRWN Magazine Nov 10, 2017

About our Guests:

Lindsey Day is an Entrepreneur and Business Consultant passionate about harnessing digital tools to positively shape culture and empower the next generation of leaders, specifically for women and minority communities. In 2009 she founded Made Woman, Intern Queen, Inc, and CRWN magazine; all primarily focused on female empowerment, education, and advancement. She has also designed digital marketing campaigns for clients like Ford, UMe, Teen Vogue, Ann Taylor, NYU, and more.
Nkrumah Farrar is a Creative Director, Product Developer, and Brand Strategist in tune to the social web and new media with an emphasis in building sites and brands that build strong connections between people and culture. Mr. Farrar co-founded CRWN magazine in 2009 and has an extensive portfolio that includes working with clients such as Bank of America, Pixoto, American Apparel, Metro Station, and many others.

Episode Summary

Lindsey & Nkrumah give us their insight on running a print magazine in a digital age, secrets to working together and doing customer development to make sure that they were profitable from the very first day of going into business.

Insight from this episode:

The need for founding CRWN magazine and the mission behind the platform, how they formalized the culture change that was already happening
Lindsey & Nkrumah’s defining moments that lead them to entrepreneurship
Their brand pillars: sisterhood, authenticity, knowledge of self, self love, and ownership
Starting from the “grass root” to grow their Instagram followers
Upcoming for Nkrumah & Lindsey: Money & Power, Love on the Street, black empowerment, cultural exchange

You’ll learn:

How to build your company among cultural change
The components of a strategic and great partnership
The importance of planning to get a successful outcome
That there are some unique ways to expand your audience

Quotes from the show:

“Internal competition will surely defeat your mission before you start”- Nkrumah Farrar Episode #86

“You can’t be what you can’t see” - Lindsey Day Episode #86

“It’s not really a comparison, it’s a continuation of our story” - Lindsey Day Episode #86

“My work is my journal, and it’s all got timestamps”- Nkrumah Farrar Episode #86

“At the end of the day, everything has to come back to the purpose” Lindsey Day Episode #86

Lindsey’s Favorite Books:

Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder & Yves Pigneur
Running Lean by Ash Maurya

The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss

Nkrumah’s Favorite Book:

The Law of Success by Napoleon Hill

Nkrumah’s Favorite Quote:

“Everything I do is the greatest thing I’ve ever done. Today’s work is my life’s work” - Nkrumah Farrar

Lindsey’s 3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Stop comparing yourself
Actually take time for self-care
Operate out of purpose

Nkrumah’s 3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

You have to be in tune to your values
You have to be aware of your abilities
You have to be in control of your time

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

http://www.nkrumahfarrar.com/

Lindsey:

Instagram @lindseydayy

Twitter @lindseydayy

Facebook @lindseydayy

Nkrumah:

Instagram @nkrumah

Twitter @ nkrumah

Facebook @nkrumah

CRWN magazine:

http://crwnmag.com/

Instagram @crwnmag

Twitter @CRWNmag

Facebook @crwnmag

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 085: Efficient, Organized and Resilient + $250,000 with Lauren Washington Nov 03, 2017

About our Guest:

Lauren Washington co-founded KeepUp in 2014 and as CEO is focused on the long-term vision and strategy of the company. She co-founded Black Women Talk Tech in 2017 to help black women create billion-dollar tech companies. Ms. Washington received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a major in Journalism and Mass Communication and her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management with majors in Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Marketing, and Finance.

Episode Summary:

Lauren talks with us about her app, KeepUp, and being selected out of 7,000 other companies to win the 2014 43North competition and $250,000. She also shares how listening to her market, and pivoting, to scale up has led to her success.

Insight from this episode:

Not thinking twice to move to Buffalo, NY after winning $250,000 and incubator space in the first class of the 43North Competition in the beginning stages of building the app
Path from teaching with Teach for America to online marketing to Founder & CEO and the turning point that said it was time to create her billion dollar idea
Lauren’s 3 personality traits of an entrepreneur: creative, organized, & flexible
Challenging aspects she has faced: managing financials, bringing in investors, & keeping the company afloat
Role model Jessica Matthews and Bozoma Saint John teaching Lauren that leadership can be different than what is the “norm” of what she consistently saw
Plans for keepUp app and Black Women Talk Tech

You’ll learn:

How to be open, and willing, to take a risk and finding opportunities to grow
Pivoting a business model to become a more sustainable business
Staying organized and communicating within a team while taking care of you
Building an app through considering it a business
Developing your peer groups and realizing who should not be a part of it
Not apologizing for who you are or what you look like

Guest Quotes:

“It’s not about taking a great title or figuring out where I’m going to make the most money. It’s where am I going to grow as a person and where am I going to grow my skill set?” Lauren Washington, Episode #85
“Follow the people who are saying that they need something and create a solution for it” Lauren Washington, Episode #85
“The people who are making the changes are the people that are going off the beaten path” - Lauren Washington Episode #85
“Humans are resilient. Keep going and in the end it’s all going to work out” Lauren Washington, Episode #85

Resources Mentioned:

Lauren’s Favorites

Book: But What If We’re Wrong? By Chuck Klosterman

Quote: “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end” John Lennon

Lauren’s 3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Take a risk- don’t be afraid to go after your dream
Be true to yourself
Keep your eyes on the prize

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series:

Kevin:

Facebook: laurenwashington48

Lauren:

Instagram: @ldubs48

Twitter: @ldubs48

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 084: Strategies to Build Generational Wealth with Dominique Broadway Oct 27, 2017

About our Guest:

Dominique Broadway is an award winning Financial Planner, Personal Finance Coach, Speaker, Finance Expert, Entrepreneur and the Founder of Finances Demystified & The Social Money Tour. Ms. Broadway is a proud alum of Bowie State University where she received her Bachelors of Business Administration with a focus on Banking and Finance. To further her education she went on to receive her Master’s of Science in Financial Management from University of Maryland University College.

Episode Summary:

Dominique walks us through her philosophy of the two types of people in this world and her experience of going broke because she wasn’t charging enough for her services. She highlights the importance of masterminds and goal setting.

Insight from this episode:

Dominique’s “love” for money
Ms. Broadway’s success through faith, learning, and belief
Her takeaways from working with high end individuals

You’ll learn:

Tactics to building generational wealth
Overcoming failure
Pricing services appropriately to run a sustainable business
Importance of accountability groups, professional colleagues, and friends
Balancing work and personal life
How to talk about money at the “kitchen table”

Quotes:

“There are two types of people in the world: spenders and savers”- Dominique Broadway Episode #84

“A lot of times we suffer in silence, unnecessarily, because we’re ashamed of what we're going through” - Dominique Broadway Episode #84

“I needed to start thinking about my business as a business and not a passion project” - Dominique Broadway Episode #84

Resources Mentioned:

Favorite Book: Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Favorite Quote: “Don’t fear failure, fear regret” - Natalie Young

Dominique's Keys to Create Your Best Life:

Really take the time to figure out what you want your life to be like
Don’t be scared of failing

Stay Connected:

Create Your Life Series

http://dominiquebroadway.com/

Dominique

Instagram @dominiquebroadway

Twitter @MsFinanceCoach

Facebook @dominiquebroadway

Kevin:

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 083: CEO TALKS - Ready Set Launch: How To Decide When To Launch Your Product with Todd Wahnish and Eric Fondren Oct 20, 2017

Show Description:

Kevin, Eric and Todd give insight into their roles as CEO’s and the strategies that they use when launching a new product, how to know when to pivot, and how to avoid building a product in a vacuum that no one will purchase.

About the Guests:

Eric Fondren is the CEO of Itell.io, a company that provides a digital advertising platform for ATM owners to digitally advertise to their customers.

Todd Wahnish is the Founder of Clever Era. Clever Era helps bootstrapped Entrepreneurs build businesses...even if you have no idea, no capital, and no technical ability. He is also an award winning artist, animator, and product designer with a portfolio that includes Marvel Entertainment, Cartoon Network, and artist Jeff Koons.

Insight from this episode:

“Be the voice, as well as the feet” -Eric Fondren

"Dip your toe in the water before you jump in the deep end" -Todd Wahnish

Development/Solving a "Problem"

An idea is great, but having an idea that solves a "problem" is the one that will sell
Look beyond your friends and family-they will always be your cheerleaders
Multiple competitors are not a bad thing

"Get some money in the door, cause money is the ultimate validator" -Todd Wahnish

Pre-Launch

Soft launch/bite size launch to pre-sale to a small audience with incentives
Marketing plan with customer development and partner affiliations
Audience conversion goals
Cost to acquire and Cost to lifetime
A plan to follow the funnel path: get people in it, then guide them through it to get safely out the end

"Amateurs focus on front end, professionals focus on back end" -Todd Wahnish

Launch

Know when the right time is for the hard launch
Keep up the momentum & bring the hype
Prepare for the next launch

Stay Connected:

Kevin:

Eric:

Todd:

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 082: How I Raised $33,000 for my Kick Starter Campaign with Mandy X. Bowman Oct 13, 2017

About our Guest:

Mandy X. Bowman is the Ceo and founder of Official Black Wallstreet which is a digital platform and database created to give black-owned businesses, black entrepreneurs, and aspiring entrepreneurs a place to shine.

In order to be successful digitally

Have good content
Brand everything on social media
Know your target audience, what they want and will listen to

Insight from this episode:

Mandy details her experience of moonlighting for 2 years and finally quitting her job, raising $33k for her business, stepping out of her comfort zone to do a Tedx talk and go on the Queen Boss tv show to pitch her business to investors.

You’ll learn:

Secrets to moonlighting
Strategies to run a $33,000 successful kickstarter campaign
How to garner a great support system
The importance of circulating the dollar in black communities
How to grow your social media following to $275,000 people
How to monetize your social media following
How to plan your exit strategy from your job

Resources Mentioned:

kickstarter.com

www.Asana.com

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Figure out your why, what you're passionate about
Map out where you want to go in life
There's a beginning and end but you need to have an in-between game plan for
Just Do it

Stay Connected:

Kevin:

www.officialblackwallstreet.com

Mandy:

https://twitter.com/mandyxbowman

https://www.instagram.com/mandyxbowman/

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 081: I Made 6 Billion Dollars For A Company And Walked Away To Start My Own with Angel Rich Oct 06, 2017

Show Synopsis:

Angel shares how she made 6 billion dollars for an employer and left to start her own company. She gives us her 10 steps to accomplish any goal and details her experience of exiting her employer, becoming an author and being labeled the next Steve Jobs.

About our Guest:

Angel Rich is the founder and creator Credit Stacker, patent pending, is an education technology game application that teaches students how to manage various types of credit, interpret a credit report, achieve good credit and avoid risks associated with debt. The objective of the game is to make timely bill payments on five credit types, with unique loan amounts, to eliminate debt while maintaining low interest and a high credit score.

Insight from this episode:

Angel was given business books at a young age
Angel read the richest man in babylon and other monumental financial books in elementary school
Angel has created the mobile credit app credit stacker
Angels app was downloaded over 200,000 times in just 2 weeks
Pioneer of the financial literacy gamification
Angel used to keep 30 mentors when she worked at prudential
Angel made Prudential 6 billion dollars
Her validation to remain focused on her dream came as she asked her mentors about her idea and they told her it was a billion dollar idea and that she should sell her idea to prudential and keep working for them
Angel followed her heart and spirit and turned down a full ride for an MBA to follow her dreams and is now the graduation keynote speaker for the same program
Angel credit’s 80% of her success to her networking
Angel says network with a purpose, research the organization and the goal.

You’ll learn:

Some of the advantages of learning on someone else’s dime
The power of mentorship
Angel’s blueprint to exiting her job to pursue working as a full time entrepreneur
how to build your executive team
How to persevere despite descrimination
Tactics to understand if you should pivot or stay consistent on your
The importance of understanding your competitor adn their
The 10 steps to complete any goals
I made 6 billion dollars for a company and walked away to start my own

3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Ask yourself what you would wake up and do for free, focus on that
Make a plan towards that goal
Know what success looks like when you reach your goal. what’s the next step.

Stay Connected:

Kevin:

https://angel.co/wealthylife

Angel:

http://www.getwealthylife.com/

https://www.instagram.com/angelrich27/

https://twitter.com/wealthylife

https://www.facebook.com/wealthylifers

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 080: CEO TALKS - Let Go Of Your EGO To Be A Great CEO with Todd Wahnish & Eric Fondren Sep 29, 2017

In this episode we talk about the dangers of having a E-G-O as a C-E-O, how to sustain the highs and lows of success and failure in your business and how to celebrate the journey overall.

Insight from this episode:

In this episode we talk about the dangers of having a E-G-O as a C-E-O, how to sustain the highs and lows of success and failure in your business and how to celebrate the journey overall.
Todd believes in working with friends and that relationships are valuable
Never be too big or to shy to hop on a call to fix whatever problem a client may have
“My livelihood and the livelihood of the people that I support depends on me having good relationships” - Todd Wahnish episode #80
“If you’re going to be a great C-E-O remove your E-G-O” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #80
Learning you are not special helps and keeps you level headed in times of triumph
Knowing what value you add to the world outside of the work also helps, essentially having a work life balance
“Sometimes there’s a blueprint most of the time there’s not, it’s up to you to Create Your Life” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #80
“There’s going to be a failure, there’s going to be a success, I know I’m walking in the right direction and so I have to be comfortable walking in both lanes” - Eric Fondren episode #80
“Essentially building a business is the failure olympics, You fail and fail and fail and then you fail a little less and then you have enough failures to look back and make a change baed on our experiences” - Todd Wahnish episode #80
“We tend to forget that walking is essentially just falling the right way. You’re tripping constantly you just are so used to it and good at it that we call it walking.” - Todd Wahnish episode #80
It is important to have a culture that celebrates wins as a team
“The ways to building a relationship with an audience happens in 3 steps: People get to know you, they like you and then they trust you.” - Todd Wahnish episode #80
“Once you have a passionate audience behind you the rest kind of falls into place” - Todd Wahnish episode #80
Create the Standard, follow the standard, be consistent with the standard and do the work - - Kevin Y. Brown episode #80 when asked about protecting your reputaion from the CEO seat

In this episode, You’ll learn

The importance of not celebrating before actually accomplishing the goal
The importance of experiencing the wins and losses as a team
How to keep a good relationship with past employees and still keep a great reputation as CEO
The importance of being authentic with your team and your audience.

Stay Connected:

Kevin:

Eric:

Todd:

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 079: Listen & Surrender To The Flow Of The River part 2 with Wal-Mart executive Tony Waller Sep 22, 2017

Tony Waller - Senior Director, Corporate Affairs Constituent Relations for Wal-Mart, tells his journey of trying to avoid the work that he was meant to do and how great advice from his mom + friends helped him accept himself and his life’s assignment.

Insight from this episode:

Rain shower, cloud, storm, it doesn’t matter Listen & Surrender and Go with the flow of the river
Tony went to interview with Wal-Mart out of professional courtesy to a friend who was the recruiter.
Tony initially turned down his executive job with Wal-Mart
He knew the job was his calling because he wanted to avoid it and as he did so everything in his life went to shambles. He realized he was avoiding what god wanted him to do.
“Are you flowing with the river?” is the question that Tony’s mom used to ask him after their conversations every Sunday.
His mom called him out about doing research before passing judgment and how to notice the opportunity in the midst of distractions.
“ You have to flow with the river because the river knows where it is going” - Barbara Jean Motley Waller, Tony’s Mom
Tony sits on the board of the center for Asian - Pacific American Women. He is the only male and only non-Asian on the board. It was a re-connecting exercise that he did with the board that finally convinced him that the job with Wal-Mart was the right job for him.
14:55 - 15:03 The plan is good and the plan is perfect, what is going to happen is going to happen. What is meant to be is going to be. You don’t have any power to impeded what is to be.
“We are given two things when we are born, we are given a name and were given an assignment that only we can accomplish in the greater good. That’s what makes us special is the assignment that was given to us.” - Tony Waller episode #79
15:42 - “Our greatness will be determined on how courageous we are to take on the assignment that was given to us.” - Tony Waller episode #79
It ain’t what they call you its what you answer to” - Barbara Jean Motley Waller

3 things that have helped Tony navigate and reach his level of success

Living an authentic life (embracing all of who you are the good the bad the ugly)
Understand that there is true power in vulnerability
Do the best with what you have
Be observant about what you do not see

19:31- 19:47 “If you decide to be truly authentic there will be times that your authenticity will reward you and there will be times that your authenticity will be a liability to you.” - Tony Waller episode #79
“I was never happy trying to be what everybody else wanted me to be” - Tony Waller episode #79
Tony’s favorite four words in the English vocabulary are “Thank you for noticing” because he is thankful that people notices and doesn’t give much to their opinions about him.
Tony believes in a daily routine and having a gratitude journal
25:20 - 25:27 “It is when you become vulnerable and you truly share all of who you are and are brave enough to share all of who you are that you really see great power” - Tony Waller episode #79
Tony became confident with living authentically with all of who he is by accepting himself for who he was including his sexuality. He has a strong support group that helped him reach where he is now. He credits the scripture 2nd Corinthians 12 in the bible for giving him the words to be authentic.

Tony’s advice on how to build your network

Be the first to say hello
Become comfortable with rejection
Create friendships, connections and relationships with those that you ordinarily would not create a connection with. Sometimes people who think differently than you and whose views can be offensive to you. It presents an opportunity to learn. It doesn’t mean that you will be friends but can be enlightening.

“One of the biggest lessons that I’ve learned is that you don’t know what you don’t know. Often you don’t know because you haven’t had that experience, You know what you know based on your experiences, your education, your trials, your tribulations, your ups your downs. That’s’ what creates what you know, but if you haven’t had certain experiences….” - Tony Waller episode #79

“I am who I am because of everyone else around me” - Tony Waller episode #79

Tony’s favorite quotes

“Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words” - Saint Francis of Assisi
“Each of us is a word spoken by god only once”- Unknown

Tony's 3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

You are meant to great never doubt that
It ain’t what they call you it’s what you answer to
Never forget that its not about you, its not about your plan its about your role in the great plan.

Stay Connected:

Kevin:

https://www.instagram.com/1solesearcher

Tony:

https://www.twitter.com/1solesearcher

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 078: Listen & Surrender To The Flow Of The River part 1 with Wal-Mart Executive Tony Waller Sep 22, 2017

Tony Waller - Senior Director, Corporate Affairs Constituent Relations for Walmart, details his journey of growing up in Puerto Rico to moving to Virginia and trailblazing his own path at University of Virginia and making his way to the executive suite.

Insight from this episode:

Tony’s mother would always say to him that you are meant to be great, but you are not the only one who is mean to be great. We are all meant to be great
She would also say when you were born you were given two things your name and the assignment that was given to you on the day you were born.
Tony stopped and listened to his life’s assignment because of the continuous life signs he received when people kept saying to him “You know you’re supposed to heal people” from the age of 11 to when he was 41. At 41 is when he decided to listen.
Tony is leading Wal-Mart’s relief efforts in Houston to help people overcome the devastation of hurricane Harvey
Tony grew up in Puerto Rico until he was 11 years old and then moved to a completely different world in Virginia.
Tony dealt with not fitting in as a Afro - Latino growing up in Sothern Virginia at a time where everyone was considered either black or white.
Going to counseling as a young boy changed his outlook and desire to fit in and it helped change and shape his life. He was encouraged to go to counseling by his parents.
Tony learned his work ethic from his parents
“I choose not to do it very often but if I have to do it I’m sure glad I know how to do it.” - Tony Waller episode #78
Tony created his own major at the University of Virginia because the pre- determined majors were to strict for him. He studied Interdisciplinary study in Latin -American Affairs with a concentration in Latin American Business which is now an official major at UVA.
Tony details his experience traveling abroad to Johanessburg and working in villages to help others inside of this episode.

Stay Connected:

Kevin:

https://www.instagram.com/1solesearcher

Tony:

https://www.twitter.com/1solesearcher

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 077: The Blueprint To The Vice President Suite in Corporate America with Chris Winton & Donald Comer Sep 15, 2017

Donald & Chris give us their blueprint to making it to the Vice-President suite in one of America’s Fortune 100 companies. They detail their experience and the power that mentorship and self actualization has played in their successes.

Insight from this episode:

Chris changed his course from wanting to be CTO of Fedex to moving in Human Resources because HR aligned more with his passion

Chris’s big indicator that he like human resources more as he noticed that his bookshelf changed from being IT focused to leadership focused and through conversation with friends and colleagues

Donald has worked multiple careers in finance, marketing, auditing, IT and operations anaysis now doing decision science for FEDEx

At 57 Donald is energized and in learning mode in his career. Things that keep him motivated are his humble upbringing and hanging around people that are smarter than he is.

“I know that I always want to work, I always want to contribute and I always want to make an impact and leave a footprint” - Donald Comer Episode #77

“My motivation has always been to a be a contributor and to be able to gauge my impact on the bottom line of the corporation.” - Donald Comer Episode #77

It’s very important to surround yourself with cheerleaders, also attend conferences and be a member of organizations that energize you

Chris started out as an IT intern and worked his way up. He spent his nights and weekends reading on the position and expertise for the job he wanted. He sought out mentors in the positions that he wanted. He then practiced posing in the mirror for the picture with the exact suit he was going to wear for 10 years.

“I started posing in the picture with that in mind at age 22 and made managing director in IT at 32” - Chris Winton Episode #77

“You can never understand the power of a sponsor, somebody who is willing to lend some of their personal equity to get you to a place that you want to be or sometime not even a place that you know you want to be, but a place that they know you ought to be based on the demonstrated hard work, commitment and the genius that you bring to work everyday.” - Donald Comer Episode #77

“We often talk about having a mentor but what we all should aspire to is to earn a sponsor. You can request a mentor but you have to earn a sponsor.” - Donald Comer Episode #77

“The way you earn a sponsor is with great work not good work and most people confuse the difference between good work and great work. Good work you have to go sell yourself, great work, other people talk about it.” - Chris Winton Episode #77

“Earning a mentor who is in reality a sponsor is the greatest success that an individual can have in terms of moving their careers forward” - Donald Comer Episode #77

Chris acknowledged that he was excluding himself from high-level conversations because of internal dialogue and got out of his own way by studying the companies business and broadening his knowledge base.

Chris had a huge breakthrough when he stopped thinking of himself as his educational background.

“When you add something of value that drives revenue, it doesn’t matter what color you are everybody is listening” - Chris Winton Episode #77

Chris does the following to perform at his best:

Meditates daily

Always smiles

Always starts his day with music, listens to his music after a tough meeting, finishes his day with music as well.

Challenging days or situations he listens to Eminem 8 mile

Jazz music relax’s him

The music is important to keep the smile.

Donalds's 3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Have a plan

work the plan

Find as many cheerleaders as you can to help you along the way

Chris's 3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Find your purpose

know your purpose

connect your purpose to solving someone elses problem

Keep your motives pure

Kevin:

https://www.instagram.com/donaldcomer/

Donald:

https://www.facebook.com/donald.comer.5

Chris:

https://www.facebook.com/chris.winton.7545

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 076: How Hip Hop & Color Are Diversifying Theater with Nsangou Njikam, Mckenzie Frye & Elisha Lawson Sep 15, 2017

The Cast of Syncing Ink stops in the studio to discuss their upcoming show and shed light on their experience as people of color in the theater industry and what they have done to sustain and change the game.

Insight from this episode:

When picking a team Nsangou looks for his artists to be the following:

Professional
Adaptive
Take advantage of artistic freedom
Chemistry - who do I want to work with
Community

Things that make sure everyone is good on set:

Snacks and a team that will check in to make everyone is treating others right.

“Part of what can motivate people is knowing that there is sweetness in the moment as opposed to sweetness later “-Nsangou Njikam Episode #76

All of these artists are here to serve the work

The name of the play comes from the line “I start to think and then I sink into the paper like I was ink” in I know you got soul by Eric B. & Rakim

 Elisha talks about his experience auditioning and freestyle rapping with the director during his audition.

The entire cast talk about their issues and experiences with auditioning for roles and share the following: 

The audition room is a huge hurdle because you have to fit into someone else’s idea of what you should be as a person of color
As a person of color you have to understand that the lens often times is not the lens of the people that you see on stage its the lens of the viewers and the writers

Why minorities do not attend the theater as much as other races:

Cost
Positive representation of people of different races and cultures beyond diversity and on to human community and purpose

How to diversify the theater: 

Buy tickets to shows especially minority shows
Make noise when you see there
Tell people who work at the theater that you want to see more shows that represent you

 Elisha got into theater to be in a play as Santa Clause because he wanted to kiss Ms. Claus

"Discipline plus faith beats anything" - Mckenzie Frye Episode #76

Nsangou got into theater because his older brother used to be in theater and his parents would throw him parties after his performances.  

Things to do to stay out of your own way:

Don’t judge, Don’t judge yourself just do, be in the practice of your faith and beliefs - Mckenzie Frye
Ask yourself what happens if I win. Place tangible things in your life that symbolize success - Nsoungo
Face your fears and practice everyday - Elisha

Resources to be successful in the theater and performing world:

voiceovers, memorization and movements
read this book Uta Hagen -Challenge for the Actor - https://www.amazon.com/Challenge-Actor-Uta-Hagen/dp/0684190400 - Elisha
“Don’t wait for a stage, see if what you do works in real life” - Mckenzie Frye Episode #76
Read the Alchemist, Star Wars and Hip Hop - Nsoungo
Manifest and speak things into existence

 The play starts 9/25/17 buy tickets to the play here: http://www.theflea.org/show_detail.php?page_type=0&show_id=192

Nsangou's 3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Do things with your body
Study someone who is doing or has done what you want to do and modify it to yourself
Get in tune with how life works

Elisha's 3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

create your daily blueprint
Have faith
Find your inspiration

Mckenzies's 3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Know that you are enough
Try everything you think you can do
“Have mercy on yourself in the process” - Mckenzie Frye Episode #76

Kevin:

http://www.instagram.com/elishalawson

Elisha:

https://www.facebook.com/elishalawson

Mckenzie:

www.instagram.com/mckenziefrye

https://www.facebook.com/mckenziefrye

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 075: Don’t Let Them Change Your Last Name For A Nickname with Sarah and Hilda Perez of Salud Para Todos Sep 08, 2017

Hilda & Sarah talk about their journey of growing up in and now running their family business. How they took over the C-Suite & took their fathers company into the digital age.

Insight from this episode:

Hilda & Sarah are running their family business which was founded by their father and has been running for 25 years and counting

Hilda & Sarah recommend Spirulina

Salad has 40 plus proprietary products

Hilda & Sarah and their mother were the guinea pig for their dad’s new and innovative ideas

Taking over the family business is about protecting the legacy

Health Tip: Tying a rubber band around the palm of the hand on the same side of the bleeding nostril will stop a nosebleed

Their father is a dreamer

They worked at their fathers store during their school years

Health Tip: Heal your sinuses by putting Vicks vapor rub on a plantain peel and put it on your forehead while it is hot

"Don’t let them change your last name for a nickname” - Dr. Rigo

Hilda also runs a marketing company called Savvy

Hilda & Sarah agree that the most challenging part about being in the C-suite is that the buck stops with you.

"If its the wrong decision, its ok to back out" - Hilda Perez episode #75

"Be a problem solver, figure it out and keep moving” - Sarah Perez - Jarrett

Hilda's 3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Find what you are passionate about and do it

Don’t worry about what other people think

Use your support system

Sarah's 3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Be selfish = make time for yourself

Be a problem solver

Recognize and ask when you need help

Kevin:

www.instagram.com/sarahperezjarrett

Sarah:

https://saludparatodos.com/

https://www.facebook.com/SALUDgroup

Store: 4791 Broadway 9-8pm (800) 299-7917

Hilda:

www.instagram.com/itshildap

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 074: How I made 5 Figures In 10 Days with Todd Wahnish Sep 01, 2017

Todd tells us how he launched a 5 figure product in 10 days, how he navigates work life balance with his wife as his co-founder and why knowing the business of art matters

Insight from this episode:

"Amateurs make something so they can sell it, pros sell it so they can make it” - Todd Wahnish episode #74
Todd talks about learning from Jeff Coons and the reasons to
Don’t be blinded by your ideas to the point that you forget about your audience (the people who will need to buy it)
Avoid building your ideas in a vacuum by putting your idea out there and doing research with the people you attract.
Put the idea out there via a blog and work to build a audience
Todd’s first question was would you buy this when presenting a new idea to his audience and it funded his idea
"Cash is validation, yes’s are not validation money in your pocket’s validation and its also pressure" Todd Wahnish episode #74
Even though his wife is his co-founder they have 1 rule: No business before breakfast
His wife and his working relationship started organically because he needed help,
He knew his wife was the one because when the chips were down and he had $3 in his bank account she told him to keep going and not to go get a job
He tested her to see if she was down to go through the high’s and low’s of entrepreneurship
Todd was once homeless and only able to take a shower every 3 weeks
Todd stood up to his college dean in order to be able to get started on his new york art journey
How staying persistent to get his opportunity for a job when he was unemployed paid off
Todd learned to think about more than being an artist by working in the music industry
Todd suggests making yourself yourself the center of attention when networking or building an audience by talking to people, putting your work out there, going on social media and adding value and dedicating something to your craft
"You only feel your shackles when you try to move, you can be that prisoner, you can be there stuck in that life but its up to you to realize that thats what it is” - Todd Wahnish episode #74

Todd's 3 keys to Create Your Best Life:

Trust yourself
Focus on what you do
"You only feel your shackles when you try to move, you can be that prisoner, you can be there stuck in that life but its up to you to realize that thats what it is” - Todd Wahnish episode #74

Stay Connected:

Kevin:

Todd:

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 073: Guest Episode - Hustling Forward - Kevin Y. Brown on Underdog Stuff with Gregory Nesmith Aug 25, 2017

UNstoppable guest Kevin Y. Brown stops by to talk about how millennial entrepreneurs can hustle forward! Kevin shares the 10 “C’s” of Entrepreneurship and more!

Stay Connected:

Kevin:

https://gregorynesmith.com/

Gregory Nesmith:

https://www.instagram.com/thegregorynesmith

https://twitter.com/gregorynesmith

https://www.facebook.com/gregorynesmith

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 072: Finding and Creating My Own Path with Kia Brown Aug 18, 2017

Kia goes in detail about her journey from working in retail to saving lives in Ameri Core/FEMA and now living her passion as a community gardener in Nashville Tennessee.

Insight from this episode:

The purpose of community gardening is to bring people's focus back to the land and the earth and have people be connected with their food system. Also to bring people together to cultivate community. Bring people together who may not know one another
A lot of the vegetables that new American people are used to eating are more expensive in grocery stores which makes community gardening a better affordable option
Kia volunteered for AmeriCorpos in a branch of FEMA before working in community gardening
After graduating college Kia worked in retail before working at AmeriCorpos
She found her inspiration for community gardening at a potluck while in AmeriCorpos where her teammates had all made fresh dishes from their community garden and had a deep sense of community and conversation around the meal. People from different cultures and ethnicities and different foods.
"I love to connect good people to good food and each other” - Kia Brown
Her support system tells her to trust her instinct and that she knows what she is doing
"Hey what you are doing is ok, you don’t have to have and you don’t have to lead a traditional life because you are not a traditional person” - Kia Brown episode #72
"Stay true to yourself and focused on doing things that you love to do because eventually, you’ll get to the place where you need to be” - Kia Brown episode #72
Sit down and write out a list of things that you love doing and write out a list of things that terrify you. Most of the time its a mixture of the two that lead you to your dreams
Be ok with making mistakes because mistake are apart of the journey and mistakes make you who you are
Kia’s favorite food to grow is Brussel sprouts

Kia's Keys to creating your best life:

Don't be discouraged if you are surrounded by people who know what they want to do
Don't let others influence you so much so that you feel that you are failing in some manner

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

Stay Connected:

Kevin:

www.instagram.com/munchichi_4782

Kia:

www.instagram.com/thenashvillefoodproject

CYLS 071: The Top 10 Quotes We All Should Live By Aug 11, 2017

In this episode of the CYLS, Kevin elaborates the 10 most impactful quotes from past Create Your Life Series guests.

Insight from this episode:

“Life can make choices for you or you can make choices for your life.” - Lisa Nicole Wilkerson, Broadway actress, TV Host and speaker
“Walk in the shoes you want to fill.” - Eric Fondren CEO of Itell.io
“Believe with a period, not a comma.” - Dr. Raphael Moffett
“Pay attention to breadcrumb experiences (experiences that set you up for a bigger purpose in life later on).” - Jovian Irvin, Founder of the OnPurpose Movement
“Do not become attached to your title because your title is not your identity.” - Tony Laurent

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

Stay Connected:

Kevin:

CYLS 070: The 10 C’s Of Entrepreneurship Aug 04, 2017

Kevin highlights his 10 C's of Entrepreneurship and how every entrepreneur needs them to create their life.

Insight from this episode:

Compound
Calculate
Contribute
Collaborate
Consistent

Stay Connected:

Kevin:

For the last 7 tips Listen to the podcast episode and subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 069: Paris, Barcelona & Ibiza - 10 things I Learned While Traveling Abroad Jul 28, 2017

In this episode Kevin reveals the 10 things he learned while traveling abroad to Paris, Barcelona & Ibiza. Racism, Travel & Universal language.

Insight from this episode:

Exchange as little money at the airport as possible
Use local transportation (train and buses)
Save money on housing by staying in a hostel or using AirBnB
Reviews matter
Racism & Discrimination are alive and well

Stay Connected:

Kevin:

For the last 7 tips Listen to the podcast episode and subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 068: Embrace Challenge & Take Advantage of All Opportunities with Carl Ulysses Jul 21, 2017

Carl takes us on his journey of sleeping on a air mattress with holes & eating peanut butter sandwiches every day to becoming a respected tailor. He details the importance of self belief, embracing challenges & taking advantage of every opportunity.

Insight from this episode:

Carl has worked on Captain America, Black Panther, Tupac Biopic “All Eyez On Me” 23 tv shows and films to date
The power of being great at your craft and referalls
Carl discussed the challenges and triumphs of making costumes and things that he has never done before
The Power & Rewards of Constructive Criticism
Tailoring for Janelle Monae, Jessica Alba, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and other Celebs
"New York showed me that there is nothing that I can go through that can hinder me from my dream” - Carl Ulysses episode #68
He just opened a new showroom in Atlanta georgia
"Not knowing, is the best thing that you can be up against, because it provides challenge and challenge is what shapes you."- Carl Ulysses episode #68
"It’s ok to make mistakes, it’s ok to learn, its ok not to be the best because there is no one that is going to be as good as you are at whatever it is that you are trying to do.. So nobody can be you” - Carl Ulysses episode #68
"The best jewels that I have received don’t come from a person they come from situations" - Carl Ulysses episode #68
Carl outlines and details his struggle to become
"You’ll receive what you need throughout struggle as long as you embrace it” - Carl Ulysses episode #68
He discusses the importance of cutting off your non believers from knowing your vision, protect it
Leaning on your friends to reach your goals

Carl Ulysses 3 keys to Create Your Life:

Pray
Embrace Challenge, stand in the face of adversity, don’t allow chaos around you to distract you
Take full advantage of each and every opportunity that you have

Stay Connected:

Kevin:

Carl Ulysses:

carlulysses.com

info@carlulysses.com

twitter.com/carlulysses

fb.com/carlulysses

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 067: Eating to Live with Chef Keidi Awadu Jul 14, 2017

Chef Keidi provides us with insight on why he changed his diet to vegan and took up being a chef as an occupation. He also shares some of his lessons learned from traveling the world and why vegans live longer.

Insight from this episode:

Our live event Ambition went GREAT! cylseries.eventbrite.com

Lessons learned from throwing our first live event

On average vegetarians live longer than carnivores and vegans live longer than vegetarians.

According to Chef Keidi, there are 10 levels of eating

“Once I learn a fact about something, I attempt to integrate it immediately." - Chef Keidi Awadu episode #67

"The More I learned, the smart I became, the smarter I became, the more I refined the life that I lived and the exposures in which I expose my body which therefore increased my capacity…. for learning even more.” - Chef Keidi Awadu episode #67

Meat Sweet diet is not healthy and affects the function of the brain

Keidi’s eyes rejuvenated after changing his diet and he is 62 and no longer needs glasses. He wore glasses in his 20’s

"Food is nature’s most perfect medicine” - Chef Keidi Awadu episode #67

Chewicide= People die from what they eat.

Our hearts are designed to last 120 years

3 tips to change your diet

Be a well informed consumer (study up)

"Live is Life, dead food is Death - Chef Keidi Awadu episode #67

95% of food sold in common grocery stores is not made for human consumption

"Humans are the only animal that must cook the meat before they eat it or else the meat will kill them" - Chef Keidi Awadu episode #67

Chef Keidi Awadu says that what separates him from other raw food chefs is his recipes have the densest spicing spectrum in the world

He hasn’t used an over in 7 years

He hasn’t used a microwave in 20 years

Chef says that if a microwave can change the structure of water, if your body is 71% water then you might not want to use a microwave

Chef Keidi has been a raw chef for 7 years

Chef Keidi speaks multiple languages and taught himself to speak french in 2 months

Chef Keidi has published over 30 books

3 lessons Chef Keidi has had the opportunity to learn while traveling the world

Travel is one of the greatest forms of education

When traveling to a country learn how to be polite in their language

Don’t travel as an american (or as someone of your own country, be open to learning how life is lived elsewhere)

Chef Keidi Awadu's 3 keys to Create Your Life:

Rule your body by the rhytms of nature, mother nature - Chef Keidi Awadu episode #67

Literacy is supreme, Literacy determines the fate of nations

Dream out loud

Stay Connected:

Kevin:

http://livingsuperfood.com/

Chef Keidi:

https://www.facebook.com/chefkeidi/

https://twitter.com/chefkeidi

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 066: If It’s Meant To Be, It’s Up To Me with Anahi Angelone Jul 07, 2017

Anahi goes in depth about her transition from Argentina to the U.S., learning english in 3 months and dodging corporate America to now becoming owner of her 4th restaurant

Insight from this episode:

Anahi is from Argentina and is the owner of Angel of Harlem and Corner Social

She learned the english language in 3 months

Anahi is a graduate of Berkely college in NYC with a major in International Business

Her first restaurant was a 10,000 square foot restaurant called Galway Hooker

Anahi believes in having a partnership with employees to let them do their dream career of being an actor or actress if they give 150% while at work

Anahi made her restaurants successful by learning the community, going to block association meetings every month, shopping local, eating local and exercising local. Walking the community

Anahi believes that you are nothing without your tribe

she discusses her favorite foods at each restaurant

Anahi always asks herself what can she do to challenge herself

Transcedental meditation has changed her life by calming her down and silencing the noise in her head

Anahi’s favorite quote is “If It’s meant to be, it’s up to me” - Naomi Simson

Anahi Angelone's 3 keys to Create Your Life:

Figure out your motive (a cause bigger than you), gather your tribe and keep it real, Enjoy the ride

Stay Connected:

Kevin:

https://twitter.com/anahiangelone

Anahi:

https://www.instagram.com/anahiangelone

www.cornersocialnyc.com

www.angelofharlemnyc.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 065: Goals Over Everything with Justin Manning & Simone Waugh Jun 30, 2017

Simone and Justin share their blueprint to creating a sponsored Obstacle Course Racing Brand (Spartan Race) using social media and a Can't Stop Won't Stop mentality

Insight from this episode:

"#GOE Goals Over Everything" - Simone Waugh

Medal Addict is a lifestyle brand focused on obstacle course racing

OCR means

“When you do these fire jumps and this obstacle course racing, you forget your fears and when you embrace that, that’s how you create your lifestyle and do things that you never thought you could do before” - Justin Manning episode #66

“Communication is key, when you’re trying to build a dynasty or any kingdom you definitely want to have a foundation in terms of what the end goal is” - Justin Manning episode #66

The name medal addict was inspired by Simone’s former blog struggles of a love addict

They keep their relationship strong by establishing boundaries and hours to focus on business

Simone is a full time entrepreneur and Justin works a 9-5 and works on Medal Addict after work

“The lifestyle you want is only one obstacle away, Jump over that Shit” - Simone Waugh episode #66

The Waugh Manning Manifesto

Simone leaves her phone on do not disturb to remain focused most of the day everyday

Justin spends the first 15 minutes of the day doing social media for medal addict

Justin spends his free time watching anime

Simone spends her free time watching 90’s shows on her DVR

Justin just went to the sources for sponsorship without a press kit by sending his stats into sponsors

"Nobody is going to come to you in this sport or with any opportunity you have to create your life” - Justin Manning episode #66

"Anybody who’s out there, Anybody who’s sacrificing their body and their time and their finances for this stuff they are a medal addict” - Simone Waugh episode #66

Justin started marketing medal addict at all of the OCR races that he went to

All of medal addicts writers and social media posts are community sourced

Medal Addict also looks for content from different peoples posts and gives them the option to expound on it on the medal addict platform

Justin and Simone are both Black Belts

Simone Waugh's 3 keys to Create Your Life: Find your Tribe, Find Your Lane, Do The Work” - Simone Waugh episode #66

Justin Mannings 3 keys to Create Your Life:

Execute Your Idea & Know Your Weaknesses, Be Authentic, Be Consistent

Stay Connected:

Kevin:

Justin:

@medaladdict

@Brooklnit3

medaladdict@gmail.com

Simone:

@moniwaugh

@saywaugh.fit

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 064: CEO TALKS - How to Make Part 2 of 2017 Better with Eric Fondren Jun 23, 2017

Find out the mistakes and triumphs of Eric & Kevin so far this year and their tips to help you make the 2nd part of 2017 even greater.

Insight from this episode:

Create a do not ever do this again list

Promised to create great images around her work for social media

obstacles faced during the year: communicating effectively with the team is important

"You can only fail at something when you actually quit" - Kevin Y. Brown episode #64

know the roles that you want people to fill when you are looking to expand your team

"Focus on the Gold, not the Glitter" - Eric Fondren episode #64

venture out organization

Ways Eric stays abreast of his industry: adweek, digidaily, adclub websites, direct introductions, industry conferences, associations and networking and reading.

Facebook conference f8

Follow influencers online, find inspiration without copying, read industry magazines, knowing the best in your industry and meet them in the city you are in, build relationships

“having confidence in what you’re doing, being able to communicate that to anybody at a very basic level and developing a relationship with someone that over a long period of time they can work on your behalf because they believe in what you’ve told them” - Eric Fondren episode #64 when asked about how he has scaled his company

"Everybody you meet has some value, you just need to humble yourself enough to see it” - Eric Fondren episode #64 when asked about how he has scaled his company

"Constantly pour into yourself and constantly pour into others…and Value others" - Eric Fondren

Stay Connected:

Kevin:

Eric:

instagram.com/thirstybrushes

Donnie:

facebook.com/thirstybrushes

donnierogersart.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 063: How ’Bout That For A Crack Baby with Shawn Blanchard Jun 16, 2017

Shawn shares with us his journey from crack baby to director of youth services for the city of detroit to entrepreneur, professor and mentor specialist. This is an episode you won't want to miss.

Insight from this episode:

Shawn’s mom inspired him to be an entrepreneur through her professional shoplifting business

He learned how to cut crack at 11 years old from his older brother

His early ambitions were to be a drug lord and rap due to influences of his environment

He changed his ambitions due to his brother being killed in a drug transaction when he was 14.

His high school counselor Ms. Champion set him on the right path to make the most of his life. She helped him fill out his scholarship applications, college applications and walked him through the entire college process

**According to Shawn a person should have multiple streams of income, motivation and impact

Shawn says that 90% of people who are mentored when they are young grow up and become mentors

Shawn created a leadership group at the high school he was formerly a teacher at in the Bronx, NY

Friendtor is a term Shawn has coined and it means that someone is a cross between a friend and a mentor

Shawn was the director of youth services for the city of detroit and oversaw the my brothers keeper initiative there as well.

"So many things are disjointed in the system of people all doing work, we have to come together and make sure that were communicating with one another to make a mightier blow" - Shawn Blanchard episode #62

"Mentorship is not about creating rockstars, its about making people better than what they would have been without you" - Shawn Blanchard episode #62

Shawn speaks on the importance of using a team and prioritizing to avoid doing everything all as once

"Its not a matter of if, its simply a matter of when we get these things done, and how we can put these things on auto pilot" - Shawn Blanchard episode #62

"At the end of the day it doesn’t matter if you’re on wall street or if you’re a guy that’s fishing, at the end of the day when you wake up and you’re happy… that’s success" - Shawn Blanchard episode #62

**Pay attention to what you are consuming, what are you reading, watching, listening to and your social group

Purchase a suite from Shawn’s company Snap Suits: snapsuits.com discount code = shawnten

Shawn's 3 Keys to creating your best life:

"You are the CEO of your life and you need to gather 3 things, your mentors, friendtors and resources." - Shawn Blanchard episode #62 (when asked for 3 tools to create your best life)

Stay Connected:

Shawn Blanchard:

www.iamshawnblanchard.com

https://twitter.com/shawntb

https://www.instagram.com/shawntblanchard/

Kevin:

https://www.instagram.com/mrmathewknowles/

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 062: I Am More Than Beyonce’s Dad with Mathew Knowles CEO of Music World Entertainment Jun 09, 2017

Mathew Knowles gives us the secrets to creating superstars as big as Beyonce, his humble beginnings and how he has maintained a successful 25 year career as a record label executive.

Insight from this episode:

Mathew has been teaching at Texas Southern for 10 years

He created program called ERM - entertainment recording management

He is a graduate of Fisk University 1974

he integrated every school that he attended from elementary to college

His drive and desire for entrepreneurship came from parents, dad went to the 3rd grade

He comes from humble beginnings: His dad was a truck driver and his mom was a colored maid

Growing up he picked cotton and tomatoes for 25 cents per foot tub

First business was selling candy, cut lawns, had a job every summer growing up

"You can’t be successful if you’re not passionate” - Mathew Knowles episode #62

"You don’t ask people about your vision…never never do that, you only go to someone with your idea when you are ready for them to do something" - Mathew Knowles episode #62

Celebrating his 25th year in business with his company Music World Entertainment

"A little knowledge, a little power, a lot of knowledge the world is ours” - Mathew Knowles episode #62

"Things that you love, its going to take you a minute to make money on it but eventually you will be successful because you love it, because you will give your all to be the very best at it" - Mathew Knowles episode #62

Discusses his mentors and the power of mentors in his life

Forthcoming book racism in the eyes of a child

Operate on a high level and communicate with those on a high level (C-suite)

"Mistakes and failure are an opportunity to grow not quit" - Mathew Knowles episode #62

"To be successful artist you need a quality artist, a quality product and a quality team” - Mathew Knowles episode #62 on what it takes to be a successful artist in the music industry today

Mathew Knowles advice on how to create your best life: 1. who what the why, who is my customer who am i what is my product what is the perception of me, why should you buy it why should you buy into me.

Stay Connected:

Mathew Knowles:
www.mathewknowles.com
https://twitter.com/mathewknowles

https://www.facebook.com/mrmathewknowles

Kevin:

www.twitter.com/iamashcash

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 061: Guest Episode - The Hustle & Grind - Kevin Y. Brown on the Ash Cash Show Jun 02, 2017

Kevin Y. Brown was a guest on the Ash Cash show and this is the radio interview that got us the Create Your Life Series Radio Show & Podcast on WHCR 90.3 FM in Harlem New York.

Learn about Kevin's hustle and grind from foster care to where he is now.

Stay Connected:

Ash Cash:
www.Iamashcash.com

www.instagram.com/iamashcash

Kevin:

https://www.facebook.com/HahnHumpty/

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 060: Pros, Cons & NFL Business 101 with Superbowl Champion Chris Canty May 26, 2017

Chris shares his journey of going from 2 near career ending injuries to having an 11 year Superbowl championship career. He goes in depth on the business of the NFL, money management & staying motivated.

Insight from this episode:

When you try to do something that is not in alignment with what you want to do or who you are, it never ends up good” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #60
There is no getting around a lesson, if you don’t learn that lesson you will go back to square one
Life is a journey not a destination
You have a choice in life, you are either going to be positive or your going to be negative and being negative just drains you” - Chris Canty episode #60
You have a choice and I always chose to maintain a positive attitude because ultimately that was going to lead to the best results - Chris Canty episode #60
His mother pushed him to become a football player
Everything that I’ve done... I didn’t want to be halfway in, I didn’t want to stick my toe in the water, I’ve always committed to things - Chris Canty episode #60
I tried to develop a mentality where the way out was the way through, so whatever adversity that I was faced with no matter how hard it might appear no matter how bad I felt physically, mentally or spiritually or whatever it was I was going to try to push past it because on the other side of that was something good" - Chris Canty episode #60
Every challenge presents an opportunity so you gotta focus on the opportunity side of it and focus on trying to improve whatever skill set that you’re working on at the time - Chris Canty episode #60
His father started his own business and Chris learned his money management skills from him
"12 years from signing my first NFL contract and I’m still learning how to manage money, you have to be willing to engage in the process of learning how to manage your own money because no one is going to watch your money like you would." - Chris Canty episode #60
"You can’t make an informed decision without information” - Chris Canty episode #60
"I’d rather be known as flawed than a fraud” - Chris Canty episode #60
Chris speaks about bouncing back from a season ending ACL, LCL and PCL injury
Chris credits a lot of his success as a man to his father
Still getting drafted after getting his eyeball sliced open
Make your friends before you need them
A lot of life is just showing up

Chris Canty’s 3 ways to Create Your Best Life:

Be a self Starter, motivate yourself
Focus on the positives
Have a sense of purpose

Stay Connected:

Chris Canty:

www.chriscantyfoundation.org

http://www.espn.com/espnradio/podcast/archive/_/id/11676470

https://www.facebook.com/chriscanty99

https://www.instagram.com/chriscanty99/

https://twitter.com/chriscanty99

Donate to the Chris Canty foundation: http://www.chriscantyfoundation.org/index.php/donate

Kevin:

Kevin:
www.kevinybrown.com
www.instagram.com/kevinybrown
www.twitter.com/kevinybrown
www.facebook.com/kevbrown001

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 059: How You’ll Amount to Nothing Became Inspiring Words for NFL SuperBowl Champion Alundis Brice May 19, 2017

Alundis shares how he turned negative comments from his neighbor to inspiration, He got up 11 days after being shot to become a top NFL draft pick. He learned from his family how to be the man he is today, and what's truly important to him now is his children and helping others.

Insight from this interview:

11 days after being shot, he got up and continued preparing for his life with the NFL.
"I would love to say I did that on my own (drafted by NFL), I didn't. There's not a thing in my life that I did on my own." -- Alundis Brice, Past CYL Series Guest Episode #59
He has a need to be humble and remain dedicated to his cause, no matter how hard it is.
"You always learn from any situation you can get into and take something from it and make it your own." -- Alundis Brice, Past CYL Series Guest Episode #59

Alundis Brice:
www.twitter.com/alundisbrice
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009268057175

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 058: From Unpaid Internship to Brand Ownership in the Music Industry with Paris Kirk May 12, 2017

Learn how Paris stayed motivated from coming from nothing to being a leader in Brand Management in music. From watching his mother work multiple jobs as a kid and pushing through the grind of an unpaid internship to ownership, Paris shares how me made it to where he is today.

Insight from this episode:
- Working hard to create opportunities.
- "I've always been a person that if you give me opportunity, I'll figure out how to make the best of it."- Paris Kirk Past CYLSeries Guest Episode #58
- Understand your vision, ignore the nay-sayers.
- "I don't have to do things I don't want to do anymore." - Paris Kirk Past CYLSeries Guest Episode #58
- "Some money and opportunities might seem to be a good thing, but usually if they're not inline with who you are as a person, usually those things never end well."- Paris Kirk Past CYLSeries Guest Episode #58

Stay Connected:

Paris Kirk:
http://propelmgmt.com/
www.instagram.com/pksince83

Kevin:
www.kevinybrown.com
www.instagram.com/kevinybrown
www.twitter.com/kevinybrown
www.facebook.com/kevbrown001

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 057: 5 Ivy League Degrees and Still Kicked Out of My Own Company with Josh Spodek May 12, 2017

Josh tells us what compelled him since childhood, his journey through five degrees, Spodek Academy, his motivations, and why 90,000 burpies isn't enough. He talks about his visits to North Korea.

Insight from this episode:
- Working through business lows and highs and coming out on top.
- "I never felt I had to go out and start at a company and work until I got the gold watch at 50 years, I never felt compelled to do that." - Josh Spodek Past CYLSeries Guest Episode #57
- Understanding steps to leadership and self-awareness.
- "If someone doesn't have discipline, that's not a reason to do it, that's a reason TO do it."- Josh Spodek Past CYLSeries Guest Episode #57
- Teaching, writing, business ownership and daily challenges.

Resources:
Free Mind-mapping Software at www.freeplane.org

"Leadership Step by Step: Become the Person Others Follow" available at Barnes & Nobles, Amazon, and more.

Stay Connected:

Josh Spodek:
www.joshuaspodek.com
www.spodekacademy.com
www.twitter.com/spodek

Kevin:
www.kevinybrown.com
www.instagram.com/kevinybrown
www.twitter.com/kevinybrown
www.facebook.com/kevbrown001

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 056: Beating Colon Cancer with Faith, Love, & Positivity with Raphael Moffett May 12, 2017

Raphael takes us through his journey of college, teaching, and becoming a mentor, explains how taking responsibility for your actions should be a life goal, and using positivity, faith, and motivation in life and fighting health problems is the key to his success with his two year battle with cancer.

Insight from this episode:

The importance of HBCUs and why it's even more important today.
"Students have taught me a lot more than I've taught them."- Raphael Moffett Past CYLSeries Guest Episode #56
Finding who you are through success, failure, reflection, hard work, and mentors
"Rarely in life do we get to get a chance to live the stuff we talk about... but when you're presented with a challenge that makes you sink or swim, you make a decision right then to either sink or swim... and I made the decision to swim." - Raphael Moffett Past CYLSeries Guest Episode #56
Beating colon cancer with love, faith, and positivity and how it changes your outlook in life.
"No millionaire has cashed a check from the grave." - Raphael Moffett Past CYLSeries Guest Episode #56

Stay Connected:

Raphael Moffett:
https://twitter.com/rxmoffett
https://www.instagram.com/rxmoffett

Kevin:
www.kevinybrown.com
www.instagram.com/kevinybrown
www.twitter.com/kevinybrown
www.facebook.com/kevbrown001

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 053: My Blueprint of Becoming an Aerospace Engineer with Omar Peele May 05, 2017

Omar Peele tells us of his journey of becoming an Aerospace Engineer, why flexibility and determination are major keys and his blueprint to succeeding in the field of engineering.

Tips from Omar:

If you are in college or high school and want to be an engineer join nesbe
He is a service mechanical engineer and works on commercial and private jets
Recommends getting in the stem field early and exploring options
"Flexibility is one of the most powerful concepts to understand, you need to be flexible in anything that you are passionate about" - Omar Peel Episode #51
"My passion for engineering and my flexibility to allow it to happen and run its course when it does is one of the things that have made me successful in it." - - omar peel episode #51
Don't limit yourself to a certain schedule, when you need to have things done by
Have a drive and focus on what you want. once you find what you want you have to be serious about it and put all of your effort towards

Keep up with Omar:

www.instagram.com/jp_flight

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 054: Around the World 4 times in 4 years with Isoul Harris May 05, 2017

Learn of Isoul's transition from unemployed grad student to teacher to editor in chief of a magazine and around the world 4 times in 4 years. He’s met & interviewed Maya Angelou and Janet Jackson & now making his former employer his client.

Insight from this episode:

He was inspired to be a writer because he got a d grade in english his first semester in college - he took on the challenge
Started reading magazines at 9 years old,
Always wanted to go into entertainment and wanted to write -so he married the two with journalism
Started out as a teacher for 2.5 years
Finished graduate school at NYU and couldn’t find a job so he had to leave New York to go back home and found a job the very next day as a teacher.
"It’s as easy as just doing it, whatever your goal or desire is” - Kevin Y. Brown
Taught from 7-3 and left teaching job to work from 4pm - 1am for free as an assistant and after 1.5 years he became the editor and chief of rolling out magazine and she became a teacher
While Editor in Chief at Uptown magazine he circled the globe four times being a traveling journalist
"Every job I’ve had, I’ve always made it a point to up the travel component or element wherever I Was" - Isoul Harris CEO of the Harris Creative Group episode #54
"Luckily I haven’t been caught up in titles, I've known people who get caught up in titles and they get caught up and they get stuck” - Isoul Harris CEO of the Harris Creative Group episode #54
"I believe in going to a job that’s going to give you something that you’ve never had before..that’s going to take you somewhere else and often times titles have nothing to do with that” - Isoul Harris CEO of the Harris Creative Group episode #54
“I don’t have anything in my closet that I don’t wear…I only want close in my closet that I wear and I apply that same logic across the board’ - Isoul Harris CEO of the Harris Creative Group episode #54
"I only want to be around people that teach me something" - Isoul Harris CEO of the Harris Creative Group episode #54
Follow your dream and keep your eyes on where it is that you want to go and that’s how things are going to workout for you - Kevin Y. Brown episode #54
Soul learned entrepreneurship from his father who quit his job at IBM to run his own business
Soul moved every 2 years growing up and only stayed at a job for 2 years for a period of his professional career
"What I do is not who I am, it’s what I do” - Isoul Harris CEO of the Harris Creative Group episode #54
"Often times it’s not a matter of talent, its not a matter of skill, it’s a matter of action" - Isoul Harris CEO of the Harris Creative Group episode #54
“The only thing that differentiates that person from you is that they decided to do it…That’s the only thing" - Isoul Harris CEO of the Harris Creative Group episode #54
The catalyst for me to be able to learn it, was wanting to learn it…you can be around the most talented people in the world but if you don’t want to learn anything you won’t - Isoul Harris CEO of the Harris Creative Group episode #54
Isoul’s most challenging aspect of career has been learning to let go while not worrying about the next step but working towards the next step

Keep up with Isoul:

https://www.instagram.com/isoulharris/

https://twitter.com/IsoulHarris

Kevin:

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 055: CEO Talks - NO Hookups! From Me or My Business with Eric Fondren May 05, 2017

Learn the insights and experiences of knowing when to market their products vs. barter and how they avoid giving hookup's in exchange of hurting their business. They also cover the importance of stem and collaboration of bridging gaps in college majors.

Insight from this episode:

There is a difference between hookups and marketing
Bartering vs paying full or a discounted price
"NO is my new superpower” - V. Taybron CEO of SavorV, - when asked about hookups or prioritizing power
Always invoice for services even if you waive the fee
Price at a premium so that you can offer discounts without hurting yourself
"If someone says my lowest value is too much, then they are not the right customer for me" - Eric Fondren CEO of Itell.io Episode #55
Get the youth involved early in STEM education
There should be a premium on the importance of bridging the gap between majors
"Always deliver an experience to your customers and audience." - Kevin Y. Brown episode #55

Resources mentioned:

slidebean.com
yotpo.com
mailchimp.com

Keep up with the CEO Talks hosts:

Eric:

Kevin:

www.instagram.com/avdoeswhat

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 052: 10 Ways To Fit Working Out Into Your Schedule with Kevin Y. Brown Apr 28, 2017

In this episode of the CYLS, Kevin provides 10 ways for you to fit working out into your schedule so that you can achieve the Create Your Life Series motto of achieve Health, Wealth & Wisdom.

Walk around the office on your breaks
Use a ball chair -
Keep workout equipment at your desk
Have walk meetings
Exercise in between daily activities

For the last 7 tips Listen to the podcast episode and subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 051: Attracting Sponsors and Making an Impact In The Do It Yourself Blog Space With AV Perkins Apr 28, 2017

A.V gives us details of how she made relationships with sponsors like Febreeze, how she manages her schedule working 6 days per week and the resources that she has used to monetize her blog and operate at a consistency rate of over 80% consistency.

Tips from AV:

If you are looking for sponsors add your media outlet to the vision database and build relationships with PR agencies
She nurtured a relationshiop with the PR rep for Febreeze for a year before anything came of it
She uses co-schedule to do all of social media scheduling
She operates on a 80% minimum of consistency
In the episode she shares her weekly schedule
She uses final cut pro 10 to edit her videos
She primarily has entrepreneur friends
Her favorite quote is by the notorious B.I.G - “Stay Low & Keep Firing"
Her dad is the inspiration behind her blog, taught her how to dIY and use tools

Keep up with AV:

www.avdoeswhat.com/

www.twitter.com/avdoeswhat

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 050: Abundance Is Your Birth Right, Allow Yourself to Have It with Ash Cash Apr 21, 2017

Learn the secrets to achieving your birthright of Abundance as we dive into the strategies of Ash’s newest book, Mind Right Life Right. His journey from managing an 8 million dollar bank branch to entrepreneurship will inspire you to take action.

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 049: Slam Dunk Success with NBA Legend Byron Scott & Business Mogul Charles Norris Apr 14, 2017

NBA Legend Byron Scott & Business Mogul Charles Norris share their secrets on running successful multi-millionaire teams, why every job is important & how to get the most out of your employees. Delegate, ask questions & ask for help are just a few tips.

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 048: CEO Talks - Dealing With Difficult Customers with Eric Fondren & Chris Alvarez Apr 07, 2017

Kevin, Chris & Eric have a very real and transparent conversation about their experiences dealing with
difficult customers, negative online reviews and actions that they have taken to protect the reputation of their businesses and themselves.

Keep up with Chris & Eric

Chris:

Eric:

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 047: CEO Talks - Pt. 2 When To Hire, Who To Hire, How To Hire With Eric Fondren & Chris Alvarez Mar 31, 2017

Kevin, Chris & Eric have a very candid conversation about who they have hired in the past, how they have hired, why they have fired people and the consequences of those decisions. You don’t want to miss the comedy of these transparent stories.

Keep up with Chris & Eric

Chris:

Eric:

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 046: CEO Talks - Pt. 1 When To Hire, Who To Hire, How To Hire With Eric Fondren & Chris Alvarez Mar 24, 2017

Kevin, Chris & Eric have a very candid conversation about who they have hired in the past, how they have hired, why they have fired people and the consequences of those decisions. You don’t want to miss the comedy of these transparent stories.

Keep up with Chris & Eric

Chris:

Eric:

www.instagram.com/domesticqueenv

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 045: Mastering Running A Startup While Working In Corporate America With Co- Founders of MIM Connect Netta Dobbins & Bianca Jeanty Mar 17, 2017

Netta & Bianca provide us with the blueprint of how they grew their startup from a group chat to a successful community while working long hours in corporate america. Learn how they keep their team motivated and their automation secrets here.

www.mimconnect.com

CYLS 044: Operating With Best Intentions in Mind with CEO & Principal of Eagle Academy Harlem Mahaliel Bethea Mar 10, 2017

In this episode of the CYLS, Mr. Bethea gives us the inside scoop to running an education startup and how to operate on best intentions to maximize employee & student potential & results.

CYLS 043: 10 Ways to Start & Stick With Your Workout Routine Mar 03, 2017

In this episode of the CYLS, Kevin provides the 10 habits that have assisted him in staying in shape and keeping a consistent workout routine. This brief episode is what you need to achieve the Health in Health, Wealth & Wisdom.

Prioritize health & fitness
Identify the areas that you want to work on
Mind your language
Keep going
Commit to Days vs weight loss

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 042: How To Have A Successful Hollywood Career & Remain Hungry, Humble & Yourself With Justin Hires Feb 24, 2017

In this episode of the CYLS, Justin gives us the behind the scenes blueprint to Hollywood Success. He tells of his journey from College acting and comedy stand up to lead and recurring roles on tv shows. This is the actors tale of Creating Your Life.

CYLS 041: How To Build Successful Mobile Apps With The "Master Of Mobile" Greg Lowe Feb 17, 2017

In this episode of the CYLS, Greg gives us the blueprint to creating his first app which has over 8 million downloads worldwide to partnerships with Beyonce, Pepsi, IBM and many other brands. Find out why he is called the "master of mobile”

CYLS 040: From Broke to Worldwide Baking Business with V. Taybron Feb 10, 2017

In this episode of the CYLS, Vaquesha teaches us how she went from broke selling snickerdoodle cookies out of her trunk to now shipping orders worldwide and running 3 businesses. Don’t miss out on her day to day blueprint as well.

Keep up with V:

http://www.SavorV.com - Coupon Code: Cupcakes

http://www.twitter.com/savorv

https://www.facebook.com/savorv

Tips from V:

Do It With Excellence And You Can Make Money From It - V. Taybron
Celebrate Your Accomplishments
If It Doesn’t Feel Good Then It Won’t Get Done - V Taybron
Be Inspired By Others Without Copying It - V Taybron
Don't Handle Anything That Is Not Positive Or Innovative -
Work Hard, Playing Hard, Resting Hard
Slow Down And Focus So You Can Speed Up
Listen To Good Things For Your Spirit
Seek To Be Inspired By Seeing Others Grind

For more of V's tips Listen to the podcast episode and subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 039: CEO Talks - Show Up, Speak Up, Stand Out with Eric Fondren Feb 03, 2017

In this episode of the CYLS, Kevin & Eric Discuss the do’s and don’ts of starting out in entrepreneurship. They provide the 50- 80- 20 rule, how being open to failure has helped them & the importance of bouncing ideas off of credible resources.

Keep up with Eric:

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 038: CEO Talks - Starting the Year Off in the CEO Seat with Eric Fondren & Chris Alvarez Jan 27, 2017

In this episode of the CYLS, Kevin, Chris & Eric answer listener questions and discuss their best practices to running a successful team, accountability partners and how they stay on track to meet yearly goals.

Keep up with Chris & Eric

Chris:

Eric:

https://www.instagram.com/bornflyclothing/

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 037: 10 Ways To Make Your Business More Profitable Jan 27, 2017

In this episode of the CYLS, Kevin reveals his top 10 tips to making his business grow every year. Fellow Entrepreneurs this is an episode you do not want to miss.

Budget
Do your expenses Weekly
Client Sharing
Referalls
Get rid of what doesn't work

For the last 5 tips Listen to the podcast episode and subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 036: How I Built 5 Successful Multi-Million Dollar Clothing Companies With CEO & Founder of Mecca USA, Enyce, Parish- Nation, Born Fly & Staple c... Jan 20, 2017

In this EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW for the CYLS, Evan provides the secrets of his success with the companies he has built. Learn his tips on sacrifices, decision making, making a jersey for rapper Notorious B.I.G and selling a company for $114 Million Dollars.

Tips from Evan:

I always said to myself if I keep the product strong it will masquerade a lot of the mistakes that I don’t know
Pay attention to fashion trends
Be humble
No matter your level of success, treat people with the same respect that you want to be treated with
For me its important to be profitable, I’m not in business to loose money but not at the expense of it consuming your whole day
Control what you can control but also be adaptable
I had to sacrifice some friendships to become successful
I focus on very few things and would rather give my best effort to those few things
3 things to create your life – “Love What You Do, Treat Others How You Want To Be Treated, Be Honest And Direct With People”
"I like to play checkers not chess... I like to keep things simple"

Keep up with Evan:

https://born-fly.com/

www.parish-nation.com/

https://www.instagram.com/theparishnation/

https://twitter.com/theparishnation?lang=en

https://www.staplepigeon.com/

https://www.facebook.com/staplepigeon

https://twitter.com/staplepigeon

https://www.instagram.com/staplepigeon/

https://vimeo.com/staplepigeon

edavis@parish-nation.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 034: Don’t Stop... Manage Your Fear, Guilt & Shame lessons in Business From CEO of Sudsy Water Laundromat Lachena Clark Jan 13, 2017

In this episode of the CYLS, Lachena Clark gives us her top strategies for entrepreneurial survival, tips of how to get the community involved in your business, how to invest in great partnerships and how to study the market to gauge risk.

Tips from Lachena:

Don’t stop... manage your fear, guilt and shame.
Understand even your employees are human and will make mistakes.
You can’t just be a researcher you have to make a decision to do something, you have to shoot the gun.
Look for business relationships that will have longevity, Go into business relationships that you only want to end a partnership if the person dies or retires.
Study your market and understand what is being offered by competitors around you. Go out and see whats’s happening in the neighborhood and research the cost of goods.
Ask about both sides of what if, what if something goes wrong and what if something goes right.

Keep up with Lachena:

www.sudsywater.com

https://www.instagram.com/sudsywater/

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 035: 10 Ways To Reach Your New Years Goals And Make Your Year Great Jan 13, 2017

In this episode of the CYLS, Kevin provides the worksheet that he uses to create his goals every year and also gives his top 10 strategies to reach your goals and have a successful year. www.createyourlifeseries.com/resources

The 10 Ways to reach your goals and have a successful year

Plan out your goals early
Fill out the 12-month productivity sheet (www.createyourlifeseries.com/resources)
Get an accountability partner
Track your progress invest in your health,
Don’t give up - repetition
Create a daily affirmation audio track
Listen to 15 minutes of motivational or positive audio every day

For the last 3 ways, plus the additional tips download this podcast episode.

www.createyourlifeseries.com/podcast

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 031: From Corporate Star to Broadway Dreams with Actress, Fitness Model & Motivational Speaker Lisa Nicole Wilkerson Jan 06, 2017

In this episode of the CYLS, Lisa Nicole Wilkerson describes her journey being in the less than 1% of artists who survive in NYC and the 3 major keys that guide her. Find out the attitude & work ethic needed to sustain a career on broadway.

http://lisanicolewilkerson.com/

createyourlifeseries.com

Tips and quotes from Lisa.

“Life And The Quality Of Life Is Not To Be Wasted.” - Lisa Nicole Wilkerson past guest on the Create Your Life Series

Lisa makes sure these three things are in alignment before she makes a move on anything - 1. Opportunity 2. Energy to do things 3. Desire

“The Work Is What Gets You The Job, And The Job Finances The Work” - Lisa Nicole Wilkerson past guest on the Create Your Life Series

“You can’t win if you don’t play, you’ve got to put yourself in the ring” - Lisa Nicole Wilkerson past guest on the Create Your Life Series

“Being an artist is also being a business…. know your value and know your worth” - Lisa Nicole Wilkerson past guest on the Create Your Life Series

Advocate for yourself

The training never stops

Use youtube to learn new accents

“Life and the quality of life are a gift” - Lisa Nicole Wilkerson past guest on the Create Your Life Series

“If your not making a choice you are choosing to stay put” - Lisa Nicole Wilkerson past guest on the Create Your Life Series

Tips on how to find an agent that works for you

Scrapbook to overcome success amnesia

“Life can make choices for you or you can make choices for your life” - Lisa Nicole Wilkerson past guest on the Create Your Life Series

**How to deal with rejection or critique

Have an internal conversation to avoid shutting down

Listen to feedback and take action on the feedback/instruction

Empower yourself to keep going

Know that you are your biggest advocate for yourself both inner and external

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 030: 25 Ways To Save Money In College Jan 06, 2017

In this episode of the CYLS, Kevin provides 25 Secrets of how to save money while in college. This is an in-depth perspective before the release of one of his upcoming books for Debt Free College Academy.

Have a Budget System
Use Debit over Credit
Use coupons everywhere you go
Relax with your meal plan
Get free food at campus events
Be a Resident Assistant
Ask Strategically

For the last 18 tips Listen to the podcast episode or enroll in one of our online Debt Free College courses at

www.debtfreecollegeacademy.com

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 033: Listener Questions In The CEO Hot Seat With CEO Of Intellio Eric Fondren Jan 06, 2017

In this episode of the CYLS, Kevin & Eric answer questions from listeners about being a CEO & how to run a successful business.

Tips from the show:

Scale up
Be conscious of how your employees view you
Be aware of yourself and how you communicate: Gauge it by the reciprocity in your relationships - He gives tips on how to gauge relationships
Engage team members through ownership and responsibility in the brand/company
How to understand your employee's way of thinking and how to incentivize them
Fire fast & Hire slowly
"Never count your feathers until you are 6 months in with an employee, you don't know if they are productive or not"
Break big tasks into small steps
Look at where people were before they became professionals
Self-knowledge costs money, how you decide to spend that money, you'll get better at as you do it, but always invest in self" - Eric Fondren CEO of Intellio
"The only thing that will make you a millionaire is work" -Eric Fondren CEO of Intellio

Keep up with us:

Eric:

https://twitter.com/kevinybrown

www.itell.io

Kevin:

https://instagram.com/kevinybrown

https://instagram.com/cylseries

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 032: How To Make Yourself an Invaluable with Entrepreneurial Entertainer George 2.0 Jan 06, 2017

In this episode of the CYLS, George 2.0 gives the secrets of how making himself invaluable has taken him around the world MC'ing & DJ'ing for Janelle Monae, running his production company & touring with his one man show "Any1Man".

Tips from George:

Having and being good energy is important
Make yourself invaluable
Make sure to take on challenges that you may not want to do, step up
Live in the moment
Doubt yourself and then get over it
Recognize that you can change the tradition

Keep up with George:

http://www.georgetwopointoh.com/

https://www.instagram.com/twopointoh/

https://twitter.com/twopointoh

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcDZVvL1kWaQ-6ZXelqA3dA

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 029: 10 Ways To Make Mentoring Work For You Dec 30, 2016

In this episode of the CYLS, In addition to the 10 Ways To Make Mentoring Work For You, Kevin provides the specific examples and stories of the value of mentorship and how it has propelled him to the level of success that he currently has.

@cylseries

@kevinybrown

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 028: How To Excel In Corporate America To Fund Your Personal Goals with Gregory Nesmith Dec 30, 2016

Former Mondelēz International Director of Strategy & Innovation Greg Nesmith shares his secrets to reviving global brands such as Kool Aid, Sour Patch Kids, finding a mentor and how to get corporate America to fund your entrepreneurial career.

Tips From Gregory Nesmith:

*Key things to turning brands around - empower people to do their work, think big picture, take work ethic and a good attitude over what seems like the perfect candidate

*How to rise in corporate America

Get feedback - Ask whats being said about you, what people like about you, what they don’t like about you
create a relationship with everyone
Get a mentor

*Ways to find a mentor

Pay attention to who likes you
Be willing to give credit to folks when they do well and take the blame when things don't go well.

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.

CYLS 027: 20 Tips to Travel The World Without Breaking Your Bank Dec 17, 2016

In this episode of the CYLS, Kevin provides 20 Secrets to how he travels the world without breaking the bank and what pitfalls to look out for when traveling abroad.

Stay away from touristy restaurants
Travel during the low-peak season
Don’t go overboard on souvenirs
Plan out your trip so you know where your money will be going
Make sure you have travel insurance

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.