Innovation City

Today's guest is Tyler Kelley, co-founder of SLAM! Agency, a marketing agency based out of St. Louis that focuses on helping businesses fulfill their purpose. In this episode, Tyler sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss his journey from DJ to marketing expert, key foundational marketing principles, and the importance of being strengthened by our failures.   “I don't think that anybody can look back on the roughest toughest parts of their lives and say that didn't get me to where I am now.” -Tyler Kelley

Today's guest is Jermar Perry, co-founder of the Village PATH (Programs to Access Therapy and Healing), a space designed to help Black men heal in St. Louis. In this episode, Jermar sits down with the team to discuss how difficult it is for men to be vulnerable, the Village PATH programs available in St. Louis, and the interplay between Black culture, trauma, and mental health.    “Men in general don't have many spaces to not just talk about sports.” -Jermar Perry

Today's guest is Suzanne Tucker, founder and CEO of Generation Mindful, a global brand that's on a mission to raise an emotionally healthy world. In this episode, Suzanne sits down with the team to discuss the importance of teaching children about emotional health, advice for parents, and her own journey that led to focusing on mindfulness for families.   “The solution comes in the way we raise children without shame.” -Suzanne Tucker

Today's guest is Austin Smith, founder and CEO of Mission Control, a community platform that organizes recreational esports. In this episode, Austin sits down with the team to discuss the tremendous growth in the esports industry, the power of human connection, and the challenges involved in the multi-player video game market.

Today's guest is Cynthia Chapple, founder and CEO of Black Girls Do STEM, an organization offering exploration of STEM career pathways to middle and high school black girls in St. Louis. In this episode, Cynthia  sits down with the team to discuss her journey as a black woman in STEM, what her organization is doing to close the gap between women and STEM, and what institutions should be doing to better serve our youth.    “Schools need to become places of innovation, places of noise, and chaos, because that is what learning looks like.” -Cynthia Chapple

Today's guest is Matthew Raithel, founder and Studio Director of Graphite Lab, a video game development company. Matt has brought some of the most famous brands to life through video games including Transformers, My Little Pony, RollerCoaster Tycoon, Dora the Explorer, and much more. In this episode, Matt sits down with the team to discuss the creativity involved in video game development, challenges in the field, and guidance for aspiring video game developers.   “Creativity is building something out of nothing or blazing a path that's not obvious in front of you.” -Matthew Raithel

Today's guest is Bea Ayala-Muñiz, founder and CEO of Musicasa, an organization that's changing the way people connect through live music in intimate gatherings. In this episode, Bea sits down with the team to discuss what she learned during a year of world travels, how she infuses music into everything she does, and the power of small gatherings for human connection.  “Everything is about how we can add to each other's lives.” -Bea Ayala-Muñiz

Today's guest is Matt Haggman, Executive Vice President at The Beacon Council, where he leads Opportunity Miami, an initiative to catalyze Miami's economic future. In this episode, Matt sits down with the team to discuss what's next for Miami, how to create a diverse and inclusive economy, and his lessons learned during his recent attempt at running for Congress.  “Miami can stand out by having a diverse and skilled workforce that's unlike anything else globally.” -Matt Haggman

Today's guest is Arturo Nuñez, Chief Marketing Office at NuBank, the world's largest independent digital bank. Nuñez's impressive career in marketing spans decades of working for the NBA, Nike, APPLE, and other corporate giants. In this episode, Nuñez sits down with the team to discuss the art of storytelling in marketing, building emotional connections, and how to make brands accessible to all consumers.  “Great advertising communication is when the customer sees themselves reflected.” -Arturo Nuñez

Today's guest is Kristen Corpion, founder of CORPLaw, an innovative firm providing a space for lawyers to focus on their happiness. Kristen is also a legal advocate, a law school professor, and a mentor. In this episode, Kristen sits down with the team to discuss the need for lawyers to work on their mental health, common challenges faced by startups in the legal realm, and her tactics for making her business stand out in a sea of law firms.  “We can't innovate when we're unhappy with what we're doing in our lives.” -Kristen Corpion

Today's guest is Hector Mujica, head of economic opportunity at Google across the Americas. In his work at Google, Hector works to create jobs and access to capital for minority-owned business owners. In this episode, Hector sits down with the team to discuss the challenges of corporate philanthropy, the importance of being a cultural ambassador in philanthropy work, and the momentum that currently exists in Miami. “Let things break; let balls drop every once in a while.” -Hector Mujica

“Leadership is not one who has all the answers, but is someone who is vulnerable & human.” -Ivan Rapin-Smith Today's guest is Ivan Rapin-Smith, Managing Director of Watsco Ventures, an incubator company in Miami. Ivan is an empathetic leader with decades of experience in the accelerator and startup industries. In this episode, Ivan sits down with the team to discuss top leadership qualities, the importance of thinking long-term, and the innovative work Watsco Ventures is doing to support hundreds of HVAC businesses.

Today's guest is Gazelle Hashemian, CEO of BluJuniper and co-founder of Blue Turquoise. Gazelle is a seasoned entrepreneur and a force to be reckoned with in all things she takes on in business and life. In this episode, Gazelle sits down with the team to discuss her dedication to investing in female and minority-led businesses, her successes and failures working with startups, and the fulfillment she gets from her nonprofit work. “The road is hard, but unless we try, we can't overcome it, and we will not be able to achieve a tipping point where it no longer would matter what the gender of the founder is.”-Gazelle Hashemian

“I can't just be out here making artwork that's not going to help anybody else or is not going to make me a better person.” -Mojo Today's guest is Anthony Reed II, better known in the art community as 'Mojo,' a Contemporary Artist and nonprofit leader based out of Miami. Mojo sees it as his duty to use his art to create change. In this episode, Mojo sits down with the team to discuss his transformative trip to Ghana, the pivotal moments in his artistic journey, and how he's working on manifesting his vision for a positive future through his art.

Learn from some of the top Miami entrepreneurs in this season of Innovation City. In Season 4, we discuss everything from achieving a state of flow, disrupting the personal banking industry, and the future of tech in Miami! Tune in to hear these innovative and successful guests give advice, tips, and tricks for achieving success in your business and life.

Learn from some of the top entrepreneurial trailblazers in St. Louis in this season of Innovation City. In Season 5, we discuss everything from setting mental health goals and the power of believing in yourself to creating boozy ice cream! Tune in to hear these inspiring guests give advice, tips, and tricks for achieving success in your business and life.

“I've learned to be resilient and to make sure I don't let the little hiccups or the changes that come my way stop me.” -Muriel Smith Today's guest is Muriel Smith, Executive Director at the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank, where they work to end diaper need and period poverty through access, education, and advocacy. Muriel has nearly twenty years of nonprofit leadership experience serving the St. Louis community. In this episode, Muriel sits down with the team to discuss the tremendous need families have for essential products like diapers and period supplies, the attributes of great nonprofit leaders, the challenges to nonprofit work, and much more!

“Over time, I've been able to see that the journey does play out without you, so you can either be part of it or not.”-Robyn Rosenberger Today's guest is Robyn Rosenberger, the Founder and CEO at TinySuperheroes, a social enterprise that works to empower extraordinary kids- one cape at a time! Robyn founded TinySuperheroes in 2012 and has been working tirelessly since then to help families and kids overcome illness and disability. In this episode, Robyn discusses the story behind Tiny Superheroes, trusting the journey, and seeing the positive in the most challenging times!

Today's guest is Danny Gula, partner at Redding Creative, a media company specializing in video production. Danny Gula is a well-known digital content creator, a former Vat19 employee, a star in the series Hidden in Plain Sight, a husband and a father. In this episode, Danny sits down with the team to discuss using ADHD to your advantage, creating viral video content, the power of believing in yourself, and much more!

“Mental health has progressed now to where It's not just about stigma… it's connecting the dots with access.” -Melissa Douglass Today's guest is Melissa Douglass, Founder and Virtual Clinical Director at Goal Driven Counseling, one of the first 100% virtual group practices in the U.S. Melissa is a talented counselor and a savvy businesswoman who built her practice from the ground up. In this episode, Melissa sits down with the team to discuss removing mental health stigmas, normalizing the concept of mental health goals, and business tips for counselors with their own practice!

“I see so much potential and opportunity for women entrepreneurs, and I'm just passionate about supporting women, who the research shows, women entrepreneurs tend to be undersupported.” -Erin Joy Today's guest is Erin Joy, CEO at Black Dress Circle and Fuel to Fire, where she works with women entrepreneurs to help launch and grow their businesses. Erin Joy has twenty-five years of experience as a self-employed entrepreneur and is finishing her PhD in Business Psychology. In this episode, Erin sits down with the team to discuss her journey of personal growth, the importance of supporting female entrepreneurs, the intersection of well-being and success, and much more!

“We need to understand that our ability to truly inspire, collaborate, create, innovate, adapt to change, drive change, those are the superpowers of not just the future, but right now.”-Amy Gwin Today's guest is Amy Gwin, Director of Client Engagement at Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute. Born from their parent company, Barry-Wehmiller, Chapman & Co. helps businesses worldwide embrace a more human-centered organizational culture. Amy Gwin has a deep understanding of the emerging workforce, which she utilizes to drive change within organizations. In this episode, Gwin sits down with the team to discuss the shift towards conscious capitalism, strategies for infusing values into businesses, and how human-centered models are the key to the future of capitalism.

“Ice cream is the most emotionally-powered food that we have, and it makes people happy.” -Tamara Keefe Today's guest is Tamara Keefe, the self-proclaimed "Flavor Temptress" and owner of Clementine's Naughty & Nice Ice Cream. Tamara used her tech background and her family's Sunday ice-cream making tradition to create an innovative and award-winning micro-creamery that's changing the industry. In this episode, Tamara sits down with the team to discuss her humble upbringing, Clementine's creative ice cream flavors like alcohol-infused chocolate cabernet, and her undying love for St. Louis.

“If you actually want to be successful you've got to know when to be the guy, and when to step away and let somebody else be the guy.” -Ed Herman Today's guest is Ed Herman, attorney and managing partner at Brown & Crouppen, a personal injury law firm in St. Louis. Ed is not your typical lawyer; he's also the creator and host of “Ed Versus,” an award-winning original tv show on BCTV. In this episode, Ed Herman sits down with the team to discuss how to stand out in a sea of sameness, the importance of being genuine in your advertising, brand affection, and much more! 

“I'm going to care about the people that I'm working with as human beings, and if they're doing well and if they're really driven in their businesses, that's what's going to make for a successful business and turnaround.” -Judy Sindecuse Today's guest is Judy Sindecuse, CEO at Capital Innovators, whose top-ranking Accelerator Program provides startups with the resources they need to succeed. Judy Sindercuse is a visionary leader with a proven track record of starting profitable companies. In this episode, Sindercuse sits down with the team to discuss how Capital Innovators went from a small nonprofit to one of the top 5 accelerators in the country, the strength of the St. Louis community, and what it takes for a city to build a culture of innovation!

“Even if you didn't do it right, you can still be forgiven; you can still move forward.” -Kenny DeShields Today's guest is Kenny DeShields, a singer-songwriter from St. Louis who recently released his first full-length album, The Real Love Project. Grammy Award-winning artist, Courtney Orlando, produced DeShield's new album, and his wife, Christia, co-wrote the songs. In this episode, Kenny DeShields sits down with the team to discuss his musical journey, the trauma he has overcome to get where he is today, and the faith that got him there.

Nature started to find her balance when we slowed down. I hope we don't forget those lessons. - Suzanne Jewell Welcome to Season 4 of Innovation City (The Miami Edition), a podcast featuring innovators, creators, and disruptors to discover how business is changing in the modern world. Created and produced by SLAM! Agency and Aīre Ventures, Innovation City gives you an inside look at how rapidly business and culture are changing thanks to increasing diversity and inclusion, heightened creativity, and a stronger and better-connected business community. Today's guest is Suzanne Jewell, founder of The Mindful Entrepreneur. Suzanne is also a wellness coach, hosts a radio show, Mindful Mornings Miami, and many other hats in the mindfulness/wellness space. Suzanne sits down with the team to discuss Suzanne's mindfulness journey, the human nervous system evolution, her mindful pocket park practice, and much more!  They discuss: Suzanne's superpower Her capacity to pay attention She has hyperfocus abilities This applies both for mindfulness and work Suzanne's mindfulness journey It began when she was 11 years old in Grand Rapids, Mich. She had ADHD, and was extremely smart Spent her 6th grade year going to school at a nature center For 45 minutes every day, she had to be in the woods, observe, write about what she was feeling - which she now recognizes as mindfulness She had a successful career in the television industry but her soul felt empty She discovered she had a rare neurological issue #wokeupaboveground Neurologist recommended mindfulness, and she embraced it Mindfulness has become her reason for being Climate, communities, communities of color, Earth, our living experience needs our attention She started noticing the disparity in parks in underprivileged communities Even the signage is unwelcoming How can parks be more welcoming and purposeful? Suzanne started researching and found that 20 minutes a day of time spent in nature will lower cortisol levels Re-wilding the concrete core of cities Mindful pocket park practice “Nature pill” 10 minutes of walking park practice 10 minutes of sitting practice Environmental factors impacting our physiological experience Too much concrete impacts your “chi” Types of light Proximity to plants Circadian rhythms The human nervous system is going through an evolution The pause was for a reason Suzanne's greatest challenge at the moment She thought it would be finding space In Miami, they have offered her space She's working on financing She would love to have a pocket park in Overtown Another dream would be to do this as a popup as an art experience Bringing mindfulness to different people in different life stages You're trying to learn how to pay attention Mindfulness is like a wheel On the outside is everything vying for your attention Come back to the bullseye If that's all you mastered, it would still be a win A wandering mind is an unhappy mind Get in touch Themindfulpark.com On LinkedIn  @MindfulMorningsMiami on Instagram @Suzannejewel and @mindfulmorningsmiami on Facebook Lightning Round: What makes you lose track of time? Natural beauty What is something new that you recently tried and loved? Kayaking on the Little River What risk are you happy that you took?  Putting my “tush” on a “cush” and learning to meditate What makes you feel loved? I feel loved right now. Being in the presence of other human beings. I've missed this! What challenge do you want to overcome? The department of judgment that lives in my head. To make peace with that judge. Where do you feel the most at peace? Nature. Any place I can see something not man-made.

I guess I was kind of used to that, I was used to being the only woman in the room, and it didn't really bother me. I was just like, ‘I'll just have to try harder, and do better.' I had a lot of guy friends, and I think I kind of thrived in that atmosphere. - Amy Renshaw Today's guest is Amy Renshaw, founder and CEO of Code/Art, a non-profit using art to inspire girls to become future coders and computer programmers. Amy has undergrad and graduate degrees from MIT, as well as an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management. In this episode, Amy sits down with the team to discuss gender disparity in the tech world, Code/Art's programs and offerings, the future of tech in Miami, and much more!

One of the kind of interesting things about design strategy and the design-thinking philosophy is that you don't conceive an idea in a vacuum, you conceive an idea with your ultimate end customer. So, you, in a sense reverse-engineer into it based on the needs of the market. - Tony Jimenez Today's guest is Tony Jimenez, co-founder and CFO of JOI, which stands for “just one ingredient,” a plant-based food and beverage company. Tony is also managing director for Medina Capital, a growth tech venture capital fund. In this episode, Tony sits down with the team to discuss Tony's experiences in the entrepreneurial space, the process of bringing JOI products to market, the nutritional value of plant-based food products, and much more!

Quite honestly journalism is all about curiosity, at the end of the day. I think, you do this work again, we consider ourselves part of the ecosystem, and helping to tell the stories. - Sherrell Dorsey Today's guest is Sherrell Dorsey, founder and CEO of The Plug, a digital news and insights platform covering the Black innovation economy. Sherrell has also served as marketing manager for companies like Uber and Google Fiber, and has a Master's in data journalism from Columbia University. In this episode, Sherrell sits down with the team to discuss her innovation journey, what she's learned about the industry, what she's most proud of, and much more!

“If we could just see each other as equals, regardless of what country you live, what your job is, what kind of house you have. At the end of the day, we love the same things: Our family, and our hope for the future for ourselves or our children. That's what I see when I travel.” - Nathalie Cadet-James Today's guest is Nathalie Cadet-James, founder and CEO at Luxe Fête Social, a luxury dinner-party-in-a-box curation and delivery service. Nathalie is a designer and international event planner. In this episode, Nathalie sits down with the team to discuss her journey to entrepreneurship, how problems are solved over dinner parties, the secret to the lost art of truly connecting, and much more!

If you just continue down the pathway, people will always appreciate hard work, in my belief. - Evan Leaphart Today's guest is Evan Leaphart, founder of Kiddie Kredit, the chore-tracking app that helps kids learn real-world lessons about money and credit. Evan combines a passion for financial literacy and innovation with a commitment to solving real-world problems in his community. In this episode, Evan sits down with the team to discuss the reasons kids need to really understand credit early on, how Kiddie Kredit scored a partnership with Equifax, experience as knowledge capital, and much more!

What it all boils down to at the end of the day, it's all about relationships.Especially when it comes from a sales perspective. People do business with who they know, like and trust. Derrick Miles Today's guest is Derrick Miles, founder and CEO of CourMed, an innovative healthcare delivery service. Derrick is also the founder of TMB Equity Partner and a multiple patented inventor. In this episode, Derrick sits down with the team to discuss how CourMed came to be, what's unique about the CourMed platform, the value of social capital and much more!

Today's guest is Daniel Uribe, CEO and co-founder of Genobank.io, a digital wallet for genetic data. Daniel combined his cybersecurity and blockchain background with a personal experience to come up with the idea for Genobank. In this episode, Daniel sits down with the team to discuss how he broke with his family and got into tech, his inspiration for Genobank, the potential applications for a DNA blockchain and much more!

The more you put into things, the more you get good out of them. It really is true in all things, and in business, too. - Chris Adamo Today's guest is Chris Adamo, chief business officer at WhereBy.Us, an experiential media tech company that creates technology platforms, tools, content and local publication, and their newsletter platform, Letterhead. Chris is a successful investor, and prides himself on his “bridge-building” abilities. In this episode, Chris sits down with the team to discuss the way he connects people, his views on the curation process, what he would do if he didn't have to work, and much more! 

“Don't start a company with a plan to exit. That's not what it's about. Join a company because you want to build something that's going to have impact.” - Lila de la Chesnaye Today's guest is Lila de la Chesnaye, general manager of Hunt Club, a talent recruitment organization leveraging networks and social connection. Lila is a Miami Tech enthusiast who is passionate about scaling mission-driven, tech-forward, customer-centric companies. Lila sits down with the team to discuss her entrepreneurial journey, the challenges facing startups, and how to build meaningful relationships both in person and by email, and much more!

“Sometimes if you have that kind of intense belief, you can sort of make it happen.” - Bill Harris Today's guest is Bill Harris, CEO of Nirvana, an early-stage digital consumer financial services firm In Miami Beach. Bill has been in the tech/financial/cybersecurity space for over 30 years, and has started or run 11 companies. In this episode, Bill sits down with the team to discuss his career and story, his new venture in Miami, disrupting the personal banking industry, and much more!    

“You have to trust yourself.... Trust your intuition. Perhaps you’re wrong, perhaps you’re right. But I think that you will never regret having listened to your intuition and gone for it, even when you’re wrong.” - Gabriela Sabate Today’s guest is Gabriela Sabate, Founder & CEO of Health Semantics, which combines digital health and remote monitoring in clinical workflows to prevent chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Gabriela is an entrepreneur with 25 years in venture creation and operations, and she is passionate about innovation. In this episode, Gabriela sits down with the team to discuss how she got into the healthtech industry, the many more things we can do with technology, how to identify the right team members, and much more!

“We believe that the more that people activate their power, the more that we’re all better off. And if we can activate that power toward new systems (education, economic, health and justice systems), we can really create a world where everyone’s thriving.” – Charli Cooksey Today’s guest is Charli Cooksey, the Founder & CEO of WEPOWER, a social startup that activates community power to re-design education, economic, health, and justice systems to be just and equitable for all. Charli is an accidental educator and a champion of her St. Louis community. In this episode, Charli sits down with the team to discuss colorism and representation bias, the two distinct and disparate parts of St. Louis, finding personal balance, and much more!

“I want people to back away from, ‘Okay well this is the way it’s always been done,’ to ‘We know that the initial thesis was flawed in that it was using a flawed theory,’ i.e structural racism and everything that goes along with that.” – Marvin Wilmoth Today’s guest is Marvin Wilmoth, Managing Principal & Co-founder at Generation Development Group, a real estate development group which focuses on utilizing the social determinants of health as drivers of the built environment. Marvin also serves as Vice Mayor and Harbor Island Commissioner for North Bay Village, FL. In this episode, Marvin sits down with the team to discuss his community work through local politics, the Generation community model, countering the systematic disinvestment in underprivileged neighborhoods, and much more!

“There’s so many days that can just roll on, with the work, with the day to day toiling. But the real thing is pushing yourself.” - Christian Ethridge Today’s guest is Christian Ethridge, Chef and Owner at Taco Circus. Taco Circus is a “fundamental taqueria” in St. Louis, serving up authentic Austin-style Mexican street food. Christian worked his way up in the food industry, starting as a dishwasher, and still gets his hands dirty when a job needs to be done. In this episode, Christian sits down with the team to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, economic mobility for his team, making Taco Circus more than your average “margarita mill,” and much more!

“It goes back to my childhood. It goes back to the definition of gratitude. And that’s been I would say the motivating factor that made a difference in what I could have been and where I am today.”  -– Galina Russell Today’s guest is Galina Russell, Managing Director of REEF Technology and COO of REEF Energy Division, a tech startup transforming under-utilized urban spaces into local neighborhood hubs. Prior to REEF, Galina directed projects for multiple Fortune 100 companies. She takes pride in being a self-starter, is fluent in several languages and is active in supporting youth in foster care. In this episode, Galina sits down with the team to discuss how she connects with her work, staying motivated to chase her ambitions, the importance of gathering and understanding data, REEF’s potential to help communities on a global scale, and much more!

“The need to seem perfect. The need to always have to be winning or be successful to be valuable, to be seen, to be important. None of that really matters.” - Danie Spikes Today’s guest is Danie Spikes, CEO of Beloved, Inc., a fragrance house and body care brand she leads with her husband, Stephen. Danie is a relationship coach, public speaker, and award-winning businesswoman. In this episode, Danie sits down with the team to discuss how her fragrance journey began, the relationship between self and others, learning to let go of control, and much more!

Something that’s very important to us at JOCON is to make sure that our lineup definitely reflects the community that supports us. - J.J. Jones Today’s guest is J.J. Jones, Managing Partner & Chief Creative Officer at JOCON Media, which currently produces 10 podcasts. J.J. has traveled the world, and his love of business, innovation, and artistry all intersect at JOCON Media. J.J. sits down with the team to discuss going from one podcast to 10, the challenges of managing podcast talent, giving people a voice who have something to say, and much more!

“I know all across the country and neighborhoods, communities, they’re suffering through food apartheid. And my goal is so that we don’t have to talk about that word anymore.” - Tyrean Lewis Today’s guest is Tyrean Lewis, Founder & CEO of Heru Urban Farming, which aims to provide underserved communities with fresh, local produce, and put an end to food apartheid in St. Louis’ underserved communities. Tyrean is a fourth-generation farmer who began a community garden that became a successful business. In this episode, Tyrean sits down with the team to discuss his family tradition of farming, ending food apartheid in St. Louis and beyond, what’s next for Heru Urban Farming, and much more!

It is clear through the years that inclusion and diversity drive innovation. The more diverse views you have, that’s better for everyone. - Laura Maydón Today’s guest is business leader, investor and advisor, Laura Maydón, former Managing Director and CEO of Endeavor’s first U.S. affiliate, Endeavor Miami. Laura is currently an advisory board member of NovoPayment and Sustalytics. She’s also Co-president of the Harvard Business School Club of South Florida. In this episode, Laura sits down with the team to discuss her journey from Mexico City to Harvard Business School to Miami, as well as innovation in Miami, the importance of inclusion, and much more!

“We all have the ability to transform our lives. We all have the ability to do and be and have the things that we want.” - Marianna Lopez Today’s guest is Marianna Lopez, Founder of Wander Not Lost. Marianna is a Catalyst, Healer and Life Coach, and she brings heart and soul to everything she creates. Her services offer a space for others to discover their light, embrace their shadow and find a balanced, joyful life. In this episode, Marianna sits down with the team to discuss being a Catalyst, connecting with your emotions on the deepest level, her advice to others wanting to become a healer, and much more!

“If you can get a book in the hand of a kid, that’s phenomenal. If you can get a book in a kid’s hand, and they get to meet that author, and they get to hear about the book and they get to hear about the process, odds of them picking up that book up and reading it are just tenfold.” – Holland Saltsman Today’s guest is Holland Saltsman, Owner at The Novel Neighbor, “where people, art and books meet.” Holland opened the bookstore six years ago to fill a need for an independent bookseller, and it ended up being a place for connections. In this episode, Holland sits down with the team to discuss bookstores in the age of Amazon, hidden gems of the book world, creatively interacting with customers and keeping the business afloat during a pandemic, and much more!

If I can come and leave the world a little better than I left it, than when I was here, then my job is done. - T. Moore Today’s guest is T. Moore, Creative Director at Doer House. Doer House is a brick-and-mortar concept and retail space for Black creatives. T. Moore is an entrepreneur and artist, who specializes in experiential design. In this episode, T. Moore sits down with the team to discuss the Black creative movement, offline vs. online presence, his advice for young entrepreneurs, and much more!

“Don’t just play the game, change it.” - Khalia Collier Today’s guest is Khalia Collier, Owner & General Manager of the St. Louis Surge, the first women’s sustainable basketball franchise in the Gateway City. Khalia was born and raised in St. Louis, and has turned her lifelong love of the game of basketball into an entrepreneurial journey. In this episode, Khalia sits down with the team to discuss what it’s like being a young, Black, female sports team owner, owning the responsibility of making an impact on her community, what’s next for the Surge, and much more!

“There’s a lot of responsibility around algorithms and we’re just scratching the surface because we are learning.” - Demian Bellumio Today’s guest is Demian Bellumio, Vice President of Augmented Intelligence at NEORIS, which is creating disruptive solutions to enable the world’s leading enterprises in transforming their data into a strategic, actionable and valuable asset. Demian is a serial entrepreneur, with over 15 years of experience in creating and growing tech companies. In this episode, Demian sits down with the team to discuss his evolution from music to algorithms, the differences between an entrepreneur and an intrapreneur, avoiding algorithmic bias, and much more!