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As we close out Season 3 of Begin, Build, Blossom: Your Business Journey, I’m reflecting on some of the more recent conversations that stayed with me this season and what they helped me recognize about my own journey as a business owner.

In this episode, I revisit conversations with Brandon Gaydorus, Bobbie Vyas, Serene B. Hollingsworth, and Patricia J. Pauyo and explore how their perspectives intersected with decisions and experiences happening in my own life and business.

We talk about:

• Understanding the process behind success and thinking about the life we want our businesses to support
• Recognizing where fear, including fear of success, can show up
• Setting and maintaining boundaries while still genuinely wanting to serve others
• Building in a way that reflects who we are
• Meeting people where they are
• Recognizing how different experiences throughout our journeys can ultimately connect
• Taking action even when we don't have everything figured out

I also share some of the changes I've been making within CME Accounting LLC and Begin, Build, Blossom, and how the conversations from this season have continued beyond the podcast through relationships, collaborations, community events, and ideas that have turned into action.

One of my biggest takeaways from this season is that clarity doesn't usually happen all at once. It comes through conversations, experiences, trying things, paying attention, taking a step and then taking another one.

Season 4 won't begin immediately after the summer as it has in previous years, but we're not taking a break from building.

Thank you to every guest who trusted us with their story, to my co-host Angela, and to everyone who listened, shared, connected, collaborated, or became part of the Begin, Build, Blossom community this season.

Until next time, keep beginning, keep building, keep blossoming.

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Guest: Vaughn Constable

Episode Host: Angela

In this episode of Begin, Build, Blossom, Angela sits down with Vaughn Constable, the creative force behind Twist Saint Lucia, a cultural fashion brand that celebrates Saint Lucian heritage through bold design, purposeful storytelling, and social impact.

Raised in Ti Rocher, Micoud, Vaughn's entrepreneurial journey began in childhood, surrounded by textiles and creativity. His early career in website design and tourism marketing placed him at the forefront of Saint Lucia's digital transformation before taking him to the United States, where he expanded his expertise in hospitality, web development, and interactive media.

Today, Vaughn has transformed national pride into wearable art while using his platform to champion meaningful causes through initiatives such as Bows for Boobs and Bows for a Cause.

This conversation explores the power of vision, culture, systems, and resilience, and how beginning with the end in mind can shape an entrepreneur's journey from idea to impact.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Beginning with the end in mind – How this principle has guided Vaughn's personal and entrepreneurial journey.
• From purpose to business – How fundraising initiatives like Bows for Boobs and Bows for a Cause helped shape the evolution of Twist Saint Lucia.
• The importance of systems – Why structure, processes, and consistency are essential for scaling a creative business.
• Building a strong support network – The role mentors, collaborators, and community have played in his success.
• Navigating multi-market challenges – The realities of growing a brand across borders, from logistics to cultural expectations.

To connect with Twist:

Website: www.twistbyvee.com - Home

Email: sales@twistbyvee.com

Instagram: @twistsaintlucia Instagram

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Guest: Brandon Gaydorus

Host: Clarita

For today's episode, we're joined by Brandon Gaydorus, a 5X author and founder of Warm Heart Life. On a day-to-day basis, Brandon focuses on helping individuals achieve their personal, professional, and financial goals.

He is passionate about bringing personal development to his hometown of Stamford, Connecticut, through initiatives such as A to B Con, TEDxStamford, Map Your Way to Financial Freedom, and both in-person and virtual Speaker Schools.

After being one of the youngest professionals named to Golf Digest's Top 50 Trainers in America list in 2019 and 2020, Brandon shifted his focus from fitness to personal development with the intention of growing alongside as many people as possible.

Through his Speaker Schools, mentorship programs, comedy shows, and guest speaking engagements, Brandon has completed more than 650 speaking appearances.

In this episode, Brandon shared his perspectives on:

• How much of the way we look at life is shaped by the first seven years of our lives
• Figuring out how you want to live and then determining how to pay for it
• The three phases of wealth he learned from a billionaire
• Understanding the process of success—the "how"—and helping others achieve success as well
• What happens once a goal is set and pursued
• The highs and lows of entrepreneurship, and how they can exist at the same time
• Growing alongside others while studying those who are already where we aspire to be and learning from people with different experiences and perspectives

Connect with Brandon:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-gaydorus-26289a84

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandongaydorus

Tel: (607) 348-6136

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We're joined by Patricia Pauyo, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and founder of Pathway Nutrition LLC, a virtual private practice based in New York. Patricia helps busy professional women of color improve their lab values and manage lifestyle-related chronic illnesses while continuing to enjoy the cultural foods that matter most to them.

In this episode, we explore what it means to build a business while honoring the people you serve. Patricia shares how embracing culture, meeting clients where they are, and focusing on sustainable change has shaped both her approach to nutrition and her entrepreneurial journey.

We also discuss:

• Embracing cultural foods as part of a sustainable approach to nutrition and health
• Building a business through different seasons, including seasons of working both full-time in and outside of her business
• Celebrating progress—both her own and her clients'—while navigating the realities and challenges of life and business
• The value of networking, coaching, and learning from others
• Creating systems that support both her clients and her business
• What success means to her

Connect with Patricia

Website: www.pathwaynutritionllc.com
Phone: (516) 234-0819
Email: pathwaynutritionllc@gmail.com
Instagram: @pathwaynutritionllc

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Today we're joined by Bobbie Vyas, a Cognitive Fear Rewiring Specialist and creator of the Fear Rewiring Method™ (FRM). Drawing on her background in psychology and counseling, Bobbie helps high-capacity women identify and interrupt the fear-based patterns that lead to overthinking, delaying decisions, and second-guessing themselves. Her work focuses on uncovering what is happening beneath the surface; how our perceptions, experiences, and self-beliefs shape our thinking, fuel fear, and influence our actions.

What Bobbie has found is that most people aren't lacking ability. Instead, they're operating from fear patterns they haven't fully identified yet. Through her Fear Rewiring Method™, she helps clients recognize those patterns, challenge them, and develop new ways of thinking that support confidence, growth, and meaningful action.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Bobbie's journey from living with fear to now building a life and business rooted in growth

• Her framework for identifying, reframing, and rewiring fear patterns

• The power of mindset, self-talk, and being intentional about the stories we tell ourselves

• Learning from setbacks and embracing growth

• The creative and unexpected ways she attracts new clients and grows her business

• The importance of being present and creating space for personal and professional growth

Whether you're building a business, navigating a life transition, or working to overcome self-doubt, this conversation offers practical insights into understanding fear, shifting your mindset, and moving forward with greater confidence, clarity, and intention.

Connect with Bobbie

LinkedIn: Bobbie Vyas

Instagram: @growthmindsetgrows

Facebook: Bobbie Kaylean Vyas

TikTok: @growthmindsetgrows

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who might benefit from the conversation. Your support helps us continue sharing the stories, lessons, and experiences of entrepreneurs, creators, and professionals who are building meaningful work and lives.

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Today we're joined by Serene B. Hollingsworth, founder and perfumer of SANCTUAIRE DE FLEURS, a luxury fragrance maison rooted in cultural authorship, memory, and design. Through her work, Serene explores scent as an expression of identity, history, and lived experience, creating fragrances that tell stories often overlooked through traditional narratives.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Her transformation from a fearful child and young professional into a confident entrepreneur and leader

• Navigating and surviving Corporate America while remaining true to herself

• Building intentional networks and meaningful relationships throughout her career and entrepreneurial journey

• The visibility that came from being featured in The Wall Street Journal—what it meant for her business, and what it didn't mean

• The importance of integrity and authenticity in business

• The power of persistence, even after being told she didn't have what it takes

• The art of creating and composing fragrances from story, memory, culture, and history

• Developing fragrances through a women's lens and honoring perspectives that have often been excluded from traditional storytelling

• What it means to build a brand that reflects both personal identity and cultural legacy

This conversation is a powerful reminder that our stories matter, our experiences have value, and that sometimes the very things that make us different become the foundation for the work we're meant to create.

Connect with Serene:

Website: https://sanctuairedefleurs.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serenehollingsworth

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanctuairedefleurs

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Guest: Ashley Joseph - Presenter, Actor & Writer

Episode Host: Angela

In this episode of Begin, Build, Blossom, we sit down with Ashley Joseph, a dynamic Presenter, Actor & Writer whose work spans global stages, award‑winning television, and celebrated theatre. Deeply rooted in his Saint Lucian heritage, Ashley has built a career defined by versatility, courage, and a relentless commitment to craft.

His presenting journey includes hosting the Saudi Arabia Formula E Concerts, Lil Simz’s Meltdown Festival, the Caribbean Summertime Ball, Dubai Music Week, and his signature Valentine’s showcase Lovers and Friends.

Ashley is the co‑creator of the hit improv show ACTing Up!, a familiar face from BBC favourites such as Robin Hood, Justin’s House, Doctors, and EastEnders, and the voice behind Jared in the award‑winning animated series JoJo & Gran Gran.

His theatre and directing credits include the Olivier Award‑winning Get Up Stand Up and the West End sensation Shifters. As a writer, he is shaping the future of children’s television with projects across the BBC, Channel 5, Cartoon Network, HBO Max, and more.

This conversation explores creative courage, craft mastery, resilience, and the power of showing up consistently in a competitive creative industry, offering practical insights for anyone building a creative or entrepreneurial path.

More specifically:

• The importance of Reading
• Embracing growing older with intention
• Continual learning as a creative discipline
• Betting on yourself and taking bold chances
• Skiing as a Black man — challenging expectations
• Choosing the right partners for the right projects
• Stepping out of your comfort zone
• JoJo & Gran Gran and the impact of representation on Television

Books Mentioned

• The Art of Growing Old — Marie de Hennezel
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People — Stephen R. Covey
• How to Win Friends and Influence People — Dale Carnegie
• The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

Connect with Ashley

• Instagram: Sir Ashley J (@sir_ashleyjoseph)
• Email: ashleyj.creativeteam@gmail.com

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Today, we’re learning about a new business called Zoner.

We’re joined by two of Zoner’s three co-founders, Ashlee Okunonke and David Kema. Their fellow co-founder, Bryce Knight, wasn’t able to join us for this conversation.

Ashlee Okunonke is a senior at Manhattan University studying Computer Science and a former software engineer at ADP. She’s planning to pursue graduate school in California while continuing to build products at the intersection of data and real-world impact.

David Kema is a senior at Rutgers University (Newark), double majoring in Management Information Systems and Supply Chain Management. He describes himself as a renaissance man; curious, multifaceted, and intentional about growth while also creating spaces where people feel comfortable and truly heard.

Together, they are building Zoner from the ground up; a platform focused on helping people make clearer decisions about where to live and develop.

In this episode, we talked about:

• The memories, experiences, and entrepreneurs who inspired them along their journey
• How childhood friends became co-founders and decided to build together
• Why they chose the entrepreneurship path and how entrepreneurship was nurtured early on
• The role internships, organizations, and university experiences played in shaping their vision and partnerships
• The importance of being in the right environments and around people who challenge and support growth
• What market and product validation has looked like while building Zoner
• What it looks like bringing a startup to life from the ground up
• Whether founders should wait for the “perfect” product before putting themselves out into the public
• Representation, impact, and the importance of pouring back into the community

Conect with Zoner:

Website: https://zoner.pro

Social Media: @whatsyourzone