Street StartUps

Tracey and CJ unpack the truth behind where the money goes. If you really love your children, get a business, not a job, because when you die your children cannot inherit your job, but they can definitely inherit your business. In fact, if you die on the job, your boss will replace you before your burial. Life in a cubicle isn't that much different from life in a cell. Also, for more information on our virtual workshop coming up on February 23. 2021, Click here: https://www.reentry-ventures.com/aaccnj-workshop-application

CJ and Tracey share about the importance of, as an entrepreneur, not only voting BUT talking to your representatives and being clear with them where you stand on issues.

This week, CJ Meenan interview the dynamic duo of entrepreneurship–Tracey Syphax and Cheri Spigner! In this episode, the couple not only unpacks the origin to their real estate course, but bring up another exciting announcement.

Tracey and CJ discuss the importance of good credit with Credibility Cure owner Melinda Sykes. Leaning on her M.B.A. and Communications degree, Melinda negotiated deals and uncomfortable conversations for years in a half-a-billion-dollar business before leaving Corporate America. Alongside her team, She's on the phone and laptop doing the same for you! Since her Corporate exit, she's worked for herself for 5+ years as a local salon owner (and nope, this military kid didn’t have rich parents) so she knows what it’s like to experience financial challenges and the importance of a solid credit score to make your dreams happen.

Tracey and CJ talk with Ahmad Perry of APE Business Solutions. Ahmad shares how his road to success is not that impossible to achieve. Stay tuned after the episode for added bonus content!

Tracey and CJ look back on 2020 to unpack highlights as well as reveal their 2021 commitments!

Tracey and CJ discuss the fact that the singer, Pharrell Williams, recently announced the launch of Black Ambition! Black Ambition is a non-profit initiative that will provide a bridge to success for Black and Latinx entrepreneurs who are launching tech, design, healthcare, and consumer products/services start-ups. Black Ambition is committed to leveling the playing field and fostering the ingenuity, determination, and resilience of underrepresented entrepreneurs. As part of the launch, Williams announced two prize competitions – The Black Ambition HBCU Prize and The Black Ambition Prize – which culminate in one major national event.

Tracey and CJ sit with Micah Khan this week. Micah is the absolute personification of JOB CREATION. While vote hungry politicians say what they're going to do about creating jobs, Micah is actually doing it! Prepare to be inspired!

How bad do you want to be a successful entrepreneur? No really. How Bad? This week, Tracey and CJ answer questions from one of their students and lay out what it takes to be successful in business.

Tracey and CJ unpack the items in their survival kits to help you navigate through the effects the pandemic could possibly have on your business.

This week, Tracey and CJ discuss scaling your business. When companies scale, they add revenue at a faster rate than they take on new costs. A company that is scaling may gain $50,000 in new revenue for which they spent only $5,000 on marketing automation tools to allow more efficient marketing to a wider audience. The company’s gains outpaced its losses, allowing it not only to grow but also to scale.

The recreational use of marijuana is already legal in 11 states. New Jersey can now be added to that list. This week, Tracey and CJ discuss how people with a yearning for entrepreneurship can capitalize on this fantastic opportunity!

Tracey and CJ went as the Pointer Brothers this Halloween and as a result teach you a valuable lesson in overcoming the fear that a lot of Entrepreneurs face. Enjoy!

It's that time again! In this format favorite, Tracey and CJ answer 5 questions from you, the listener! So, keep those questions coming because YOUR question could be the one they answer next!

This week, the guys sit with James "CEO PYE" Jones of Riot clothing and Kevin Giovannetti, Author of The Workhouse Chronicles!

Join Tracey and CJ this week as they discuss the benefits of being a member of the most inclusive club in the world! They also share what you have access to as a listener of this podcast as well as a student of their teachings!

Fresh out of the lockdown, Tracey and CJ return to the studio for the come-back episode! Tracey announces a new resource to help you succeed in business and life itself! Also, they discuss their next class coming up on October 15th, 2020, education, the value of relationships, and the importance of your network.

Tracey and CJ talk with Q this week about his company Much Better Studios. Q touches on the importance of pivoting as well as his much anticipated grand opening event at Much Better Studios!

Tracey and CJ talk to Aginah Maltabes this week about what sets her apart from the dough boys. Aginah pizzeria, The Pizza Den, sets themselves apart by their hospitality and great customized pizza. Customers know that the owners are always there. They answer the phone themselves, and they customize each pizza to every person’s taste. Aginah is very hands-on — whether she's out front helping customers, or in the kitchen.

Tracey and CJ unpack the importance of these 4 major keys in business: Having the right team, an effective plan, a disciplined mindset and a strong, growing revenue stream.

Information transfer is the process of imparting important information from one part of your business (or person) to another. This week, Tracey and CJ discuss that fact that it's critical to your business's success because, when done effectively, it increases the efficiency and productivity of your organization.

Tracey and CJ discuss the importance of checking in with your customers. Following up with your customers helps improve their overall experience with your company. You might even solve problems before they become an issue. For example, if you communicate with your customers even after a sale is made, you will be able to deal with any problems they had with your products quickly. If you let your customers know you’re willing to help and heading off problems at the pass, you’ll avoid negative online reviews, and you might even save your company numerous refunds. I know we don’t like to think about our customers having problems with our products or services, this is just a reality of doing business. By improving the customer’s experience with quick follow-up and great customer service, your customers will feel like they can trust you. But more importantly, you should check in on your customers just to see how they are personally. You should also check in on your health, your relationships, your spirit, get the idea?

Tracey and CJ talk to Jeannine Cook this week. Ms. Cook is the owner of Harriett's Bookshop which is an independent bookshop & writing space celebrating female writers, activists, and artists. The bookstore is located at 258 East Girard Avenue in Philadelphia, PZ. “[Black women] have a tremendous amount of power and ability to lead through certain scenarios such as the one we find ourselves in today", says Ms. Cook. "Because [we] have been through some of the worst aspects of this society. We have an understanding of the entire circumference that many people don’t have.”

This week, Tracey and CJ talk with Dontae Thomas. Dontae is a certified personal trainer and the owner of Team Chizel Fitness, which he runs out of Primal Gym in Hamilton. How he got to this point in life, however, isn’t your typical story.

Tracey and CJ talk with Linda Greene from Anacostia Organics. Linda is a powerhouse entrepreneur and brings an incredible dynamic to this week's episode of Street StartUps. Linda Mercado Greene is the Co-Founder, Board Chair, and CEO/Owner of Anacostia Organics, a minority woman-owned medical cannabis dispensary in the District of Columbia and the first to open in DC to serve the most undercapitalized demographic population in the city. She has gained national status in this new industry as Chair of the DC Medical Cannabis Trade Association. Linda is on the Executive Team as Strategic Advisor of the Cannabis Trade Federation (CTF), and the Chair of the CTF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force comprised of the top civil rights leaders and advocates in the US. CTF is one of the largest cannabis national coalitions of industry related businesses. Linda has always utilized her personal political relationships to forward the progress of diversity and inclusion legislation, decriminalization, policy development, banking, and record expungements in cannabis. She is the Host of a daily podcast, “Cannabis Conversations Podcast with Linda Mercado Greene”, on DCRadio.gov, 96.3HD4, and SoundCloud, which is the only DC government funded cannabis broadcasting. Linda is crisscrossing the country for speaking engagements and media interviews relative to the burgeoning cannabis industry to include the MJBiz Conference in Las Vegas, Women Grow Annual Summit in Washington, DC, and the Concordia Annual Summit in New York City.

This week, Tracey and CJ talk with Jessica Featherson and Chef Marquis Syphax (Yes, they are related: Father - Son) about their company and brand "WellBody. WellSoul", which is a lifestyle brand and wellness platform that aims to inspire and help you embody the best version of yourself with clarity, courage, and confidence. Through holistic nutrition, fitness, introspective self-work, and radical self-care we empower black women to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. #WellBodyWellSoul #FromTheBlockToTheBoardroom #SyphaxLegacy #JessicaFeatherson #ChefMarquis #AgameEveryDay #MarquisSyphax

This week, Tracey and CJ talk with founder, president & CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, John Harmon, tells you the steps to take in getting access to 100 billion dollars for your business. You only have until August 8, 2020, so get listening and get busy because John "ain't coming to your house to get your paperwork", but the Chamber will help you for free. You have to take the first step.

At some point, you might have seen a statistic or statement by an economist stating the economic benefits that entrepreneurs have to local communities. While local and small businesses generate new jobs and employ more than half of the working class in the United States, they’re also a valuable asset to the local community. This week, Tracey and CJ take you through this very topic. Enjoy.

Tracey and CJ talk with Lorenzo Stewart this week. "Lorenzo is the perfect example of what we teach," says Tracey, "He really is the embodiment of someone that takes our teaching and applies it. The added fact that he's in a wheelchair takes EVERYONE'S excuses away. There's NO reason you can't make it! He truly is helping build long, sustaining wealth in the African-American community." Lorenzo started a successful transportation service (VOW Transportation) for disabled people. He is disabled, confined to a wheelchair after a stray bullet hit him in the back. He is also a former drug dealer with a prison record. He couldn't find a job so he decided to make a job for himself.

The amazing Cheri Spigner discusses the power of diversity in business with Tracey and CJ this week!

Entrepreneurs who serve their broader community produce extraordinary outcomes. Some of them are assists the receiver, transforms the giver, energizes the organization, and most importantly renews the community. Tracey and CJ discuss a disturbing issue this week. Let's just say it's what NOT to do as a business owner.

In response to the recent civil unrest, CJ and Tracey speak right from the heart this week about race and entrepreneurship. They also explore the broader question of why some entrepreneurs are successful and others are not. Peace.

Harold Deloach joins Tracey and CJ again this week to discuss how the ROI in the Trades is a very wise investment.

Continuing the theme of how Entrepreneurs manage business during a crisis, Tracey and CJ chat with Harold Deloach this week! Harold is the Director of Education and Training for the Leaders of Electrical License Preparation courses for Philadelphia and The Lehigh Valley; www.NECprepClass.com. He is the founder and Director of The Academy of Industrial Arts L.L.C., www.TAIA-School.com; a customized electrician training program that provides entry-level electrician training courses, electrical Safety classes and customized electrical construction courses.

People leaving prison obviously face all kinds of barriers, one of the most significant is in terms of employment. Roughly 5,000 people are released from D.C. correctional facilities every year; less than half of them find sustainable employment. The idea of entrepreneurship is that people can write their own futures and develop autonomy in their lives as well as create things. This week, Tracey and CJ discuss why people who have been incarcerated are both resilient and flexible in the face of difficult circumstances — qualities that translate to strong entrepreneurs. Peace.

Stress manifests in the body and behaviors first. You’ll start to notice your temper getting shorter, appetite changing, and sleep becoming more difficult. Even cravings for high-calorie foods emerge. The more stressed out we become, the more our perspective shifts to believe there isn’t time for enjoyable things. We sense that enjoyable things, like learning new concepts, no longer fit into our schedules. Perspective becomes narrow. This leads to decisions based on fear, which can be destructive in the long term. So, take a listen as Tracey and CJ discuss the impact stress can have on the life of an Entrepreneur and the steps you can take in dealing with it.

Tracey Syphax and Celebrity Chef Jeff Henderson have something in common. Tracey went from the block to the boardroom and Chef Jeff went from the streets to the stove! From humble beginnings in South Central LA, to life as an imprisoned drug dealer, and then as an award-winning celebrity chef and best-selling author, Chef Jeff is a role model for anyone who needs the encouragement to reinvent their life. Since he discovered his passion and gift for cooking in the unlikeliest of places – prison – Chef Jeff has completely turned his life around, and today serves as a popular and powerful voice for self-transformation. In this dynamic episode, Chef Jeff Henderson shares a bit of his story with Tracey and CJ and explains the importance of networking and the effects prison culture can have on a returning citizen in business. #QuarantineCookout #FromTheBlockToTheBoardroom #FromTheStreetsToTheStove #ChefJeffHenderson #TodayInTrenton

The dry-cleaning business has been part of Hip Hop promoter, Justin Strong’s life since the beginning — in fact, it’s been in the Strong family for four generations. The business was established in 1930 in Shelby, N.C. and the family moved to Pittsburgh in 1945 as part of the Great Migration of African Americans to the North. On this episode of Street StartUps, Tracey and CJ talk with Justin about the importance of having a "whatever it takes" attitude as an entrepreneur. You'll be encouraged listening to Justin. Enjoy! #JustinStrong #COVIDbusiness #BeatingCovid #BeatingCorona #BusinessDuringCorona

Part 3 of 4 -- To minimize the impact of disasters on employees, property, and operations, businesses must make the right preparations. They must build a strong, firm foundation. Are your finances in order? Is your business recognized by the government? Are you at least incorporated? If you needed to take out a loan or be awarded a grant, is your business set up so that you would qualify? Tracey and CJ cover these topics and more this week on being prepared in business for challenges, storms, problems, and yes, even a global pandemic.

Part 2 of 4 -- If there is one thing for certain, it's uncertainty. Although you might feel like the odds are stacked against you in business sometimes, be comforted by the fact that somebody else, including successful entrepreneurs, had to suffer through the same instances you now may be facing. The only difference is that the successful ones know how to plan for uncertainty. This week, CJ and Tracey share with you, the 5 Points to look at when accessing your business model. #UncertainTimes #COVIDbusiness #BeatingCovid #BeatingCorona #BusinessDuringCorona

Part 1 of 4 -- Entrepreneurs understand more income sources means a more stable business and more room to grow. Implementing additional income strategies creates exciting possibilities and opportunities. In times of uncertainty, Entrepreneurs thrive because "that's how we're wired". Listen in as Tracey and CJ take you through what to do during shaky times.

Part 4 of 4: Sometimes, failure is a gift. It can act as an opportunity to understand our flaws and how we can improve ourselves. This sort of mentality is essential in successful entrepreneurship. Failure, just the same in martial arts, is a part of business. The type of failure that former UFC fighter, Frank Sasso, discusses with Tracey and CJ on this episode is the type of failure to AVOID. Tune in to listen, learn, and share!

Part 3 of 4: Plenty of fighters get knocked down over and over but get up –often bruised and bloody—and get that one strike in that wins the match. If you stay down it’s hard to come back swinging. If you feel like life is knocking you down, stand up and yell: "I’m still here!” You’re still here. You didn’t die from what happened. Maybe your ego or sense of security did but you’re still here. And while you’re still here you can pick yourself up and do your best to move on from the knockout punch life gave you. You can lie there and retreat into misery or depression or remember that you’re still here and can find your way out of it. This week, Tracey and CJ talk with retired UFC fighter, Frank "Ferocious" Sasso about GETTING UP when you've been "knocked down".

Part 2 of 4: Former UFC fighter, Frank "Ferocious" Sasso talks with Cj Meenan and Tracey Syphax this week about embracing your customers. There's a world champion at every weight class at any given time, but only a few rise to real fame even within the sport. Those who do use interview time, social media, blogging and crossover publicity to create a real relationship with their fans. The fans return that love and skyrocket the fighter's career to new levels. "Take every opportunity you can to help your best customers appreciate and celebrate the fact that they're your customers", says Sasso. "Social media shout-outs, on-site parties, even a brief mention in a news interview can go a long way toward turning them from customers to fans."

Part 1 of 4: Business isn't a spectator sport, of course, though it turns out that we can learn some surprising and valuable lessons from the world of Mixed Martial Arts competitors. Innumerable business lessons can be gleaned from fighting—hence the prevalence of expressions like "game plan", "playbook", and "step up to the plate" in the world of business. Maybe in this context we should add "roll with the punches." This week, Tracey and CJ sit with retired UFC fighter, Frank Sasso (aka FEROCIOUS) to discuss building "mental toughness" for the ring and how he applies the same routine to his day-to-day businesses.

Part 4 of 4. The Wortham Tapes get wrapped up this week with Part 4 of Race and Entrepreneurship. The guys pick up from last week with their conversation about Race and Entrepreneurship and tackle the possible solutions to this touchy issue.

Part 3 of 4. Entrepreneurship is often touted as an economic opportunity that embodies American ideals of individualism and financial gain. Yet social scientists have long noted divergent entrepreneurial outcomes among various groups. In this episode, CJ Meenan and Kevin Wortham (with the return of Tracey Syphax) discuss how race informs entrepreneurship for minority business owners. In particular, they focus on the ways black entrepreneurs use racial counter-frames as a means of defining various aspects of the entrepreneurial experience.

Part 2 of 4 with Special Guest, Kevin Wortham If entrepreneurs want to build a successful company, they need an athlete mindset, and just like an athlete, they must train for success. Athletes don’t become successful through luck. They put in countless hours learning their sport and honing their skills. They train to win, and entrepreneurs should too. Join CJ Meenan and Kevin Wortham for Part II of the Wortham Tapes!

Part 1 of 4: Successful business is built on good relationships. The Street StartUps Podcast is a firm believer in this philosophy, as it has only served them well along their journey as a businessman and entrepreneurs. In this special 4 part series, fellow entrepreneur and teacher, Kevin Wortham, sit down with CJ and Tracey to explore this topic.

Part 4 of 4: The school system wants students to focus on the task assigned, not go off and dream up their own projects or become child entrepreneurs. Following direction is rewarded, and deviating from it or coloring outside the lines, so to speak, is met with labeling (ADD or COD) or with punishment. Guidance counselors often encourage kids to pursue traditional careers, ones that require university education. There is very little talk, if any, of starting a business. Let's face it, the school system as a whole discourages entrepreneurial thinking on a fundamental level; they prepare students to become good employees. Join Tracey, CJ, and Freedom Green as they unpack this very important issue!

Part 3 of 4: When we think of “rich,” we think of the visible signs of money we’re socialized to recognize, like fancy cars, big homes, and designer clothes. But even though the “rich” have a high income, some spend money as fast as it comes in. In this sense, being rich can be more difficult to maintain. It’s highly dependent on money coming in – usually in the form of a paycheck. And, many times, those who have all the conspicuous signs of being “rich” have substantial debt to support their lifestyle. “Rich” can disappear as fast as the next paycheck. But many wealthy people don’t display outward signs of being rich. They may have the money to buy luxury items, but a high percentage of wealthy people don’t own expensive cars, large, modern homes, or designer clothing. Wealth is something that lasts, endures, gets past on from generation to generation. Rich is temporal; However, Wealth Minded people delay immediate gratification to create long-term financial security. Darren "Freedom" Green returns for Part 3 of a 4 part Street StartUps mini-series to discuss this very topic!