I Am Black Success®

Latest Episodes:

Personalized Pedriatric Care Right Into Your Home! | Dr. Christi Hay Jul 25, 2016

Show notes

Dr. Christi Hay, MD MPH is a board certified general pediatrician. She attended Stanford University for undergrad and University of Virginia for medical school. She's worked in academia as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics for The George Washington University, and also worked in private practice for several years. A few years ago she left a busy practice to begin Palisades Pediatrics, and she now focuses her time on providing personalized pediatric care to her patients right in their very own home.
In In this episode, I asked Dr. Hay several questions, including:

What ignited the desire to be a doctor and to focus on pediatrics?
What are some of the big lessons you learned while working at Children’s?
Tell us a little more about Palisades Pediatrics?
Where did you get business guidance to pivot to where you are now?
Do you have a support system and people who help to hold you accountable today?
How do you fight through the self doubt and challenges that come, how do you push through that?
Before starting your practice, did you actually do research to see if potential patients would like home visits?
What are a couple fundamental steps other doctors need to know to lay the right foundation for setting up their own practice?

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Blazer Nation, go out today and find a way to rise above, go way beyond and keep blazing your trail.

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About I Am Black Success®
I Am Black Success® is a podcast featuring conversations with trailblazing Black leaders, entrepreneurs, creators, and changemakers. With 200+ episodes, the show documents Black stories and explores the strategies, lessons, and tools that fuel excellence, leadership, and legacy.

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How Losing 150 pounds Inspired a Life and Career Transformation | Melissa Carter Jul 18, 2016

Show notes

Melissa Carter is the founder of IGNITE WITH MELISSA, LLC. She holds an MBA and is a former music industry corporate executive turned Life Empowerment and Strategy Coach. After years of morbid obesity preventing her from tying her own shoes, depression, failed relationships, and a core belief system of not being "good enough," Melissa embarked on a 150-pound weight loss journey that inspired a career and life transformation.
In this episode, I asked Melissa several questions, including:

What are you most grateful for right now?
What ignited a desire in you to want to get into the music industry?
What are some of the big lessons you learned while working with these music brands?
How do you explain what's inside you, that allowed you to get up each day with positive gratitude and fight the natural urges ... that ... most of us have to remain in the place of comfort... eating what we love to eat ... making a 1,000 excuses why we can't change our outward appearance?
Talk about your support system that helped you through your dark valleys?
What are you doing today as a Holistic Life Coach and what does your day to day look like?
You're having a bad day, bad week, bad month. You're facing business challenges, family issues, someone you know is ill, life is happening ... right ... How do you handle your clients and your work and push through those moments when life is happening?
Do you think that despite losing your relationship and the pain of going through other loss, you gained clarity and revealed your purpose?

Blazer Nation, go out today and find a way to rise above, go way beyond and keep blazing your trail.

Join our community at TBPod.com

And connect with Stephen A. Hart: Twitter | LinkedIn

If someone Googled you today, would your LinkedIn help you or hurt you?

Stay connected:
Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
Watch full episodes on YouTube
Learn more at iamblacksuccess.com

Pursuing A Passion for Real Estate | Koki Adasi Jul 11, 2016

Show notes

Koki Adasi is a motivated and dedicated real estate agent. In 2008, Koki was recognized by REALTOR Magazine as one of the thirty most talented, up-and-coming realtors in the U.S. In 2009 he provided real estate expertise on CNN's The Situation Room and NPR, and in 2010 he appeared on an episode of HGTV's television show House Hunters. Since that time Koki has lent his expertise to several different media outlets including: Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, The Gazette and Real Estate Radio. Learn more about Koki: Kokiisthekey.com
In this episode, I asked Koki several questions, including:

01:30 What are you most grateful for right now?
03:15 Why are you passionate about the work you're doing in real estate?
06:00 What have been some of the biggest lessons you've learned as a real estate agent?
07:15 How do you define success?
09:00 What have been some of the basics steps you've been practicing in the last 6 months to a year, that have helped you pave the way for the success you're now experiencing?
11:20 Why are people choosing to do business with Koki & Associates? Why do you think they're paying you and your team for your services versus choosing to work with another agent? What sets you apart?
15:00 Tell us a story about one road block, challenge, or fear that you experienced? What happened and what did you do to overcome it and move forward??
18:30 Do you have coaches or mentors today who help to guide you & your business and hold you accountable toward achieving your goals??
20:10 At what point did you decide on seeking out coaches & mentors? Why do you think you are able to produce at a higher level because of your coach & mentors?? ;
21:45 Koki shares his amazing journey & lessons learned from basketball

Blazer Nation, go out today and find a way to rise above, go way beyond and keep blazing your trail.

Join our community at TBPod.com

And connect with Stephen A. Hart: Twitter | LinkedIn

If someone Googled you today, would your LinkedIn help you or hurt you?

Stay connected:
Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
Watch full episodes on YouTube
Learn more at iamblacksuccess.com

How This Black Scientist Started Her Own Consulting Business | Marquita Qualls Ph.D Jul 04, 2016

Show notes

Dr. Marquita M. Qualls has over 25 years of leadership experience in consulting, coaching, and motivating people who want to produce order out of their chaos. Though a scientist by training, she commands a masterful understanding of the human aspects needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced and competitive business environment.
She founded Entropia Consulting, a small management consulting firm that focuses on helping individuals become more productive and effective leaders.
In this episode, I asked Dr. Qualls several questions, including:

What was your dream growing up?
What inspired you to pursue a degree in Chemistry?
What are some of the biggest lessons you learned about yourself during your years with Glaxo?
Tell us about your transition from Glaxo to starting your own consulting business?
What is the exact problem your clients are having and how are you able to help provide a solution through your coaching services?
Share one of your road blocks that caused you to have to take a major detour.
What happened and how did you overcome it and get back on track?
How do you learn to love doing hard work you don't want to do?
Why is learning a super power?
What does successful leadership look like?
What can we look forward to with you?
Are there any big dreams and goals on your vision board for the next 5-10 years and beyond that you'd care to share with us?

Blazer Nation, go out today and find a way to rise above, go way beyond and keep blazing your trail.

Join our community at TBPod.com

And connect with Stephen A. Hart: Twitter | LinkedIn

If someone Googled you today, would your LinkedIn help you or hurt you?

Stay connected:
Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
Watch full episodes on YouTube
Learn more at iamblacksuccess.com

Angel Investing and Raising Capital From Alternate Sources | Lorine Pendleton Jun 27, 2016

Show notes

Lorine Pendleton is a seasoned business development executive with extensive experience in the legal, internet/new media and entertainment industries. She is the US Director of Business Development for the largest global law firm in the world. She is also an active angel investor who invests and advises women and minority-led companies.
In this episode, I asked Lorine these questions:

What was your dream as a child? Did you always have dreams of being a lawyer?
What are the biggest things you learned about yourself in your time at Londell McMillan PC?
Why transition from being a practicing attorney to your present role with Dentons? Do you have mentors today?
When did you begin learning about the process of being an investor?
Explain what an angel investor is and does? What are the most important metrics that you're looking for as an angel and that help you decide whether you're going to take action and invest with a founder?
How do you keep from falling into and getting stuck in comfort zones with work?
What do you do to push yourself to new and higher heights? Share a couple fundamental lessons that black women and minority founders need to know, to grow their business and raise funds.
What can we look forward to with you?
Are there any big dreams and goals on your vision board for the next 10 years and beyond that you'd care to share with us?

Blazer Nation, go out today and find a way to rise above, go way beyond and keep blazing your trail.

Join our community at TBPod.com

And connect with Stephen A. Hart: Twitter | LinkedIn

If someone Googled you today, would your LinkedIn help you or hurt you?

Stay connected:
Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
Watch full episodes on YouTube
Learn more at iamblacksuccess.com

From $23/hr contractor to $300k business owner | Indigo Ocean Jun 20, 2016

Show notes

Indigo Ocean Dutton is the founder of Aspiratech, Awaken Business Consulting, and Phone Buddies Peer Counseling Community. She is the author of Being Bliss and Micro Habits for Major Happiness.
Indigo and I discussed:

Any significance or meaning to the name Indigo Ocean?
Her life's story leading up to her time spent in Bali
What provided the winning mindset to achieve so much after leaving Bali
How she went from being a 1099 business consulting contractor making $23/hr, moved up to $75/hr and then jumped ship to running her own show and getting a $300k contract inside of 2 years
What gets her out of her comfort zone and reaching for new and higher heights
She shares two (2) effective foundation steps every new entrepreneurs must get right

Blazer Nation, go out today and find a way to rise above, go way beyond and keep blazing your trail.

Join our community at TBPod.com

And connect with Stephen A. Hart: Twitter | LinkedIn

If someone Googled you today, would your LinkedIn help you or hurt you?

Stay connected:
Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
Watch full episodes on YouTube
Learn more at iamblacksuccess.com

From CPA to CEO of Her Own Lifestyle Business | Kelly Leonard Jun 13, 2016

Show notes

Kelly Leonard is a speaker, trainer, award-winning CEO, and former Fortune 500 Vice President. A certified public accountant (CPA-inactive) and corporate trainer with over twenty-five years serving government, non-profit, private and public industries [including Fortune 100], Kelly has an innate ability to connect with diverse audiences across disciplines.
Some of the questions I asked Kelly:

Was being an entrepreneur and business woman your dream as a kid?
What were some of the big lessons you learned about business and about yourself [as a CPA]?
Take us through the transition from CPA to CEO of your own company? How did that unfold and over what period?
Are there any rituals or routines that help to sharpen your mind and keep you grounded?
Is Taylor Leonard Corporation more of a lifestyle brand?
Could you share with us one of your road blocks that caused you to have to take a major detour. Tell us about that challenging time, what happened and how you were able to overcome it and get back on track?
How has family had an effect on shaping the business woman that you are today?
Why is LinkedIn so valuable for those that learn to use it effectively?
What could we put into practice today to make LinkedIn more effective for us?

Blazer Nation, go out today and find a way to rise above, go way beyond and keep blazing your trail.

Join our community at TBPod.com

And connect with Stephen A. Hart: Twitter | LinkedIn

If someone Googled you today, would your LinkedIn help you or hurt you?

Stay connected:
Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
Watch full episodes on YouTube
Learn more at iamblacksuccess.com

Pursuing A Passion for Playwriting | Keion Jackson Jun 06, 2016

Show notes

Keion Jackson is an Author and Senior Writer for Hallmark Cards. He's also a playwright, having written and produced his first play, Gumbo House, that debuted in theaters in Kansas City, MO in March 2016.
In this episode, we discussed:

His dream as a kid growing up in Port Allen, Louisiana
What Keion does in his day to day as a Senior Writer at Hallmark Cards
What inspired him to write his first play, Gumbo House
What he learned about himself in his first independent project with the play
What he does to keep from falling into comfort zones as a writer, having written for different mediums
Tips on how to avoid writer's block and produce something original, creative and worth reading
How faith influenced his career
How he got involved writing about faith and authoring a book for Hallmark Cards

Blazer Nation, go out today and find a way to rise above, go way beyond and keep blazing your trail.

Join our community at TBPod.com

And connect with Stephen A. Hart: Twitter | LinkedIn

If someone Googled you today, would your LinkedIn help you or hurt you?

Stay connected:
Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
Watch full episodes on YouTube
Learn more at iamblacksuccess.com

Cultural Engagement Activation Strategies for Brands & Advertisers | Tiffany Hardin May 30, 2016

Show notes

Tiffany Hardin developed Gild Creative Group, a consultation firm providing cultural engagement activation strategies for brands & advertisers.
In this episode, we discussed:

What provided her a winning mindset on such a big stage
What inspired her to start her own consulting firm
Gild Creative Group and what she does as the Cultural Engagement Strategist
Mentors that are helping guide her forward
How family affected her entrepreneurial journey
Some of the biggest lessons she learned while building Gild
Fears of failing to achieve set goals or responsibilities that follow
How she keeps herself from falling into comfort zones with her work
2 things Tiffany is working on right now as part of her future vision/goals

Blazer Nation, go out today and find a way to rise above, go way beyond and keep blazing your trail.

Join our community at TBPod.com

And connect with Stephen A. Hart: Twitter | LinkedIn

If someone Googled you today, would your LinkedIn help you or hurt you?

Stay connected:
Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
Watch full episodes on YouTube
Learn more at iamblacksuccess.com

Living Your Life with Passionate Intention | Dr. Jason Carthen May 23, 2016

Show notes

Dr. Jason Carthen is a former NFL football player for the New England Patriots and a highly sought-after international speaker in the areas of leadership, motivation and identifying your purpose in life. He has delivered his own unique brand of inspiration, passion and practical ideas to people in over 1000 audiences worldwide.
In this episode, we discussed: