エピソード

  • PJ's For The Culture

    PJ's For The Culture
    2025/12/23
    In this episode of the **Business First Podcast**, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with Vanessa and Dallas Streeter, the mother-and-son duo behind **PJs for the Culture**, a pajama brand rooted in cultural pride and representation. Vanessa and Dallas share the inspiration behind creating holiday pajamas that reflect Black culture and identity, and how a simple idea turned into a growing business. The conversation explores the realities of product development, from concept to production, and the challenges they faced bringing their vision to life. They also discuss what it’s like navigating entrepreneurship as a family, balancing roles as mother and son while building a brand together. Along the way, they reflect on the overwhelming support from their community, the importance of listening to customer feedback, and how that feedback continues to shape their business decisions. Looking ahead, Vanessa and Dallas share their plans for expansion, new product lines, and how they hope to continue creating products that celebrate culture while building generational impact. This episode is an inspiring look at family, entrepreneurship, and building a business with purpose.
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    33 分
  • Financial Education

    Financial Education
    2025/12/16
    In this episode, Sonia Alleyne interviews Joel Boissier, the VP of Business Development and Partnerships at CHIP, a fintech platform designed to connect individuals with financial professionals. Joel shares his background as a financial advisor and discusses the importance of accessible financial advice, especially for communities of color. The conversation covers how CHIP operates, the significance of finding the right financial advisor, and the resources available through the platform. Joel emphasizes the need for financial education and the role of CHIP in fostering financial literacy and support for both individuals and small businesses. In this episode of the Business First Podcast, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with Joel Boissier, Vice President of Business Development and Partnerships at CHIP, a fintech platform focused on connecting individuals and small businesses with trusted financial professionals. Joel shares his background as a financial advisor and explains how that experience shaped his mission to make quality financial guidance more accessible—particularly for communities of color that have historically been underserved by traditional financial institutions. The conversation breaks down how CHIP works, why finding the right financial advisor matters, and how personalized financial support can lead to stronger long-term outcomes. This episode also explores the importance of financial education, building confidence around money decisions, and the role technology can play in closing knowledge and access gaps. Joel highlights the tools and resources CHIP offers to empower individuals and entrepreneurs to take control of their financial futures.
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    32 分
  • RR - Fashion Forward

    RR - Fashion Forward
    2025/11/25
    In this re released episode of Business First, Sonia sits down with artist and entrepreneur Sharon A. Keyser, owner of #SKCreationsLLC, to explore how a childhood love of sewing blossomed into a thriving fashion and lifestyle brand. Born and raised in #WashingtonDC, Sharon learned to sew from her great-grandmother, sparking a lifelong passion for textiles, bold colors, and beautiful fabrics. Over the years, her creativity led her to develop original designs that now appear on everything from apparel and bags to home décor, tech accessories, linens, and more. Sonia and Sharon talk about the early days of her craft, the evolution of her business, and the joy of turning artistic passion into a sustainable creative enterprise. If you love stories about artistry, entrepreneurship, and staying true to your gifts, this conversation is for you. Find more shows like this on the Mean Ole Lion app.
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    19 分
  • Values and Gratitude

    Values and Gratitude
    2025/11/18
    In this episode of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with Brian Thompson, founder of Brian Thompson Financial LLC, for a powerful conversation on authenticity, alignment, and the entrepreneurial journey—especially for LGBTQ+ business owners. Brian opens up about his transition from tax attorney to financial planner, sharing how embracing his true self reshaped his life and business. Together, they explore the role of personal values in driving meaningful work, the courage it takes to build a purpose-led business, and the transformative breakthroughs clients experience when they align money with identity. Brian also reflects on the importance of gratitude, community, and support systems for entrepreneurs navigating uncertainty and growth. This inspiring conversation offers a deeply human look at what it means to build a business—and a life—that reflects who you truly are. Find more shows like this on the Mean Ole Lion app. Follow, rate, comment, and share.
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    41 分
  • 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 AI Diversity Champion

    The AI Diversity Champion
    2025/10/21
    In this episode of The Business First Podcast, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with Michel Edwards, co-founder and CEO of Bluu Kazi, to explore how his company is transforming talent acquisition and development. Michel shares how Bluu Kazi’s innovative matching algorithm connects top talent with forward-thinking businesses while championing diversity in tech and supporting military veterans through training and career development. The conversation dives into the importance of agility in business, navigating career transitions, and Bluu Kazi’s bold vision to expand opportunities in underserved communities. Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or the Mean Ole Lion Media App.
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    33 分