Episodios

  • The Art'preneur

    The Art'preneur
    Oct 15 2024
    In this episode, Sonia Alleyne chats with Clarisse Peria Mekongo, a multi-disciplinary artist and owner of Culture Boutique. Clarisse shares her journey from Cameroon to the United States, her passion for various art forms, and the challenges she faced as an immigrant artist. She discusses the importance of cultural expression in her work, the materials she uses, and her vision for the future of Culture Boutique as a space for creativity and personal growth.
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    33 m
  • That BK Life

    That BK Life
    Oct 8 2024
    In this episode, Gina Brown shares her inspiring journey of love and entrepreneurship with her husband, Steve, as they build their apparel brand, My BK Life. From their childhood friendship in Brooklyn to reconnecting and starting a business together, Gina discusses the importance of community, the challenges of balancing work and personal life, and their future aspirations for the brand. The conversation highlights the significance of storytelling in business and the power of social media in connecting with customers.
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    24 m
  • The Dog Business is Booming

    The Dog Business is Booming
    Sep 10 2024
    Barbara Clarke Ruiz, an activewear designer turned entrepreneur, shares her journey and the launch of her lifestyle brand for dogs called Lick You Silly Products and found success on Amazon. Barbara emphasizes the importance of finding the right suppliers, creating standout packaging, and telling a compelling story to build a successful brand. She also shares advice for creative entrepreneurs and the importance of finding a supportive circle of mentors and advisors. Barbara talks about her love for her job and the importance of listening to your gut and finding time for self-reflection. Barbara emphasizes the value of relationships and staying connected in the industry.
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    46 m
  • Raising Future Business Leaders

    Raising Future Business Leaders
    Aug 20 2024
    In this conversation, Sonia Alleyne talks with Theresa Merritt-Watson, author of the book 'Black Tech, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, Leaders in Technology.' They discuss the importance of teaching African-American history to young students and the lack of representation of African-American figures in mainstream education. They also touch on the importance of critical thinking skills and nurturing a child's passion. Theresa shares her experiences as a parent and offers insights into effective parenting strategies. She also talks about her organization, Synergy Training Solutions, which focuses on advocating for African-American students and providing support for parents and educators. Theresa emphasizes the need for change and empowerment within the African-American community.
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    35 m
  • We The Community

    We The Community
    Aug 12 2024
    In this episode of Business First with Sonya Alleyne, Sonya interviews Shawn Townsend, the president and CEO of the Restaurant Association, Metropolitan Washington. They discuss the opportunities and challenges in the restaurant industry, particularly in Restaurant Association, Metropolitan Washington. Shawn shares his background in the restaurant business and his experience as the director of the mayor's office of nightlife and culture. They also talk about the impact of the pandemic on restaurants, the elimination of the tip credit system, and the future of the industry. The episode concludes with a discussion of upcoming events and resources for restaurant owners. DC Restaurant Summer Week Starts August 12, 2024
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    38 m
  • The Business of Travel

    The Business of Travel
    Aug 6 2024
    Andrea Baskett-Pee, founder of Atwasi, a Jamaican luxury travel concierge, discusses the opportunities and challenges in the tourism industry. She shares her journey of moving to Jamaica and starting a tech consultancy before transitioning into the tourism industry. Andrea emphasizes the importance of showcasing the authentic culture, history, and land of Jamaica to travelers. She also highlights the need for more equity and transparency in the tourism industry, particularly in supporting smaller businesses. Andrea plans to expand Atwasi to other Caribbean islands and eventually to parts of West Africa.
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    29 m
  • Challenging Broken Systems and Creating Change

    Challenging Broken Systems and Creating Change
    Jul 23 2024
    Dr. Raymona H. Lawrence is the CEO and founder of Raymona H. Lawrence Coaching, a speaker, corporate trainer, consultant, and professor of health policy and community health. She challenges broken systems that hinder people from reaching their potential, drawing from her experiences as an African-American woman with sickle cell disease. Dr. Lawrence emphasizes the importance of disrupting broken systems and creating change in communities. She works with large companies to improve engagement and build authentic connections with communities. In her work with women-owned businesses, she helps them connect the dots and build teams to ensure success. Dr. Lawrence's future focus is on building psychological safety within teams and continuing to challenge broken systems.
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    38 m
  • Reclaiming Culinary Rights and Decolonizing Our Tongues

    Reclaiming Culinary Rights and Decolonizing Our Tongues
    Jul 16 2024
    Chef Rock Harper discusses the importance of reclaiming culinary rights and decolonizing our tongues. He shares the history of fried chicken and its negative portrayal in media, as well as the lack of Black-owned fried chicken restaurants in the industry. Chef Rock emphasizes the need for representation and economic empowerment in the food industry. He also talks about his restaurant, Queen Mother's Fried Chicken, and the intentional use of high-quality ingredients to serve a great product. Chef Rock discusses the importance of focusing on a core product or concept in the restaurant industry, the challenges of running a restaurant with a wide variety of menu items, and the need for sufficient capital in the industry. He also shares his background and journey in the culinary world, including his time working with B. Smith. Chef Rock emphasizes the power of knowing your customer and solving their problems, as well as the importance of collaboration and maximizing revenue streams in the food business. He also discusses his future goals, including expanding into media and creating spaces for community gathering and creation.
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    51 m