エピソード

  • No Cell Phones Allowed

    No Cell Phones Allowed
    2025/11/11
    In this re-release of the Business First Podcast, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with Chef Rock Harper, award-winning chef, restaurateur, and culinary trailblazer, for an inspiring conversation on reclaiming culinary rights and honoring the cultural legacy of soul food. Chef Rock dives deep into the rich history of fried chicken—its roots in African American tradition, its global influence, and its power as a symbol of resilience and creativity. He also discusses the challenges and triumphs of running Black-owned food businesses and why specialization and authenticity are key to long-term success in today’s restaurant industry. From his journey as a Hell’s Kitchen champion to the growth of his acclaimed restaurant Queen Mother’s Fried Chicken, Chef Rock shares valuable lessons on leadership, purpose, and building community through food. As he continues to expand his culinary footprint, including the upcoming launch of D.C.’s first no-phones bar, Chef Rock remains a voice for empowerment and innovation in the food world. This episode is a masterclass in turning passion into purpose — and purpose into legacy. Find more shows like this on the Mean Ole Lion app. Follow, rate, comment, and share to keep the conversation growing.
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    51 分
  • Economic Empowerment With Soul

    Economic Empowerment With Soul
    2025/11/04
    In this inspiring episode of the Business First Podcast, Sabrina Lamb, CEO of Wekeza, shares her mission to close the wealth gap for the African diaspora through accessible, multilingual financial education. She opens up about the creation of Wekeza, the importance of teaching financial literacy in native languages, and her vision for a global, pan-African investment platform that empowers communities to build and sustain generational wealth. Sabrina also reflects on her transformative time in Tulsa—once the home of Black Wall Street—and how that experience deepened her understanding of financial liberty and the “soul work” behind true economic empowerment. With future plans to make investing more inclusive and community-driven, this episode is a masterclass in purpose, vision and empowerment. Find more shows like this on the Mean Ole Lion app. Follow, rate, comment and share to keep the conversation growing.
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    37 分
  • Business First w/Sonia Alleyne

    Business First w/Sonia Alleyne
    2025/10/28
    In this episode of the Business First Podcast, Sonia Alleyne sits down with Allyson Ward, corporate wellness strategist and leadership coach, to explore the power of demolishing stress — not just managing it. Together, they discuss how AI can help small businesses boost productivity, reduce stress, and inspire creativity across generations. Allyson breaks down the fear of AI, offering practical tools for integrating it into daily business operations and even corporate wellness strategies. The conversation also dives into navigating uncertainty, staying emotionally grounded, and recognizing opportunities during challenging times. Find more episodes like this on the Mean Ole Lion Media app.
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    34 分
  • The Business of Healing

    The Business of Healing
    2025/10/14
    In this powerful episode of the Business First Podcast, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with Rahman Hall to discuss his inspiring journey of healing, transformation, and purpose. Rahman opens up about his experiences with childhood trauma and the profound role that forgiveness and writing have played in his path toward recovery. He shares valuable insights on confronting emotional scars, seeking help, and turning pain into purpose — including his mission to establish a healing center dedicated to supporting survivors of abuse and trauma. This deeply moving conversation reminds listeners that true leadership often begins with self-healing. Find more shows like this on the Mean Ole Lion app. Don’t forget to follow, rate, comment, and share!
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    47 分
  • Business First w/Sonia Alleyne

    Business First w/Sonia Alleyne
    2025/10/07
    In this episode of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with restaurateur and venture capitalist Shane Corrodus to explore his inspiring journey in the restaurant industry. Shane opens up about the challenges of launching and sustaining a successful restaurant, highlighting the cultural influences and strategic choices that shaped Elevation Kitchen and Cocktails. He shares valuable lessons on consistency in food and service quality, the importance of staff training, and how creating unique experiences builds lasting connections with guests. Shane also reflects on his early aspirations, his business philosophy rooted in honesty and transparency, and the role of wisdom in guiding big decisions. The conversation closes with his vision for the future and his dedication to mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs. Tune in for practical insights and motivating lessons from a leader who knows the recipe for success.
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    42 分
  • The Spanish Italian Princes Filmmaker

    The Spanish Italian Princes Filmmaker
    2025/09/30
    In this episode of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with actress, director, and producer Larissa Dali to explore her multifaceted journey in the entertainment industry. Larissa opens up about her creative heritage, the challenges of balancing multiple roles in filmmaking, and the transformative power of shadow work in both life and character development. She reveals how her personal experiences shape her storytelling, offers candid insights on navigating the industry, and discusses the importance of building a supportive network while learning to embrace rejection as part of the acting process. Find more shows like this on the Mean Ole Lion app. Don’t forget to follow, rate, comment, and share.
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    27 分
  • The Connection Collective

    The Connection Collective
    2025/09/16
    In this episode of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with social entrepreneur Thomas C. Knox, founder of the Connection Collective. Thomas shares his inspiring journey from a subway social experiment to building a platform—and eventually a TV series—dedicated to fostering genuine human connection. He reflects on the power of storytelling, the impact of his childhood experiences, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Packed with insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, this conversation highlights why connection matters now more than ever. ✨ Find more shows like this on the Mean Ole Lion app.
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    33 分
  • RR The CEO Whisperer

    RR The CEO Whisperer
    2025/09/02
    In this rerelease of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with HR expert Vicky Brown to unpack the challenges small businesses face when hiring and retaining top talent. Vicky shares her personal journey into entrepreneurship, along with the lessons she’s learned about effective leadership and building strong workplace cultures. From the importance of clear job descriptions to the complexities of hiring family members, Vicky offers practical advice every business owner can use. She also highlights the value of HR consulting in sharpening leadership skills and creating environments where teams can thrive. The conversation closes with a look at Vicky’s vision for the future and why investing in people remains the key to long-term business success. Find more shows like this on the Mean Ole Lion app.
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    36 分