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  • “The Power of the Pivot: Season 5 Finale with Kendra & Leslie”

    “The Power of the Pivot: Season 5 Finale with Kendra & Leslie”
    2025/11/30
    It’s the Season 5 finale! After 20 episodes of insight, inspiration, and industry deep dives, Kendra and Leslie close out the season with an unfiltered recap of their biggest takeaways—from the power of confidence to navigating DEI rollbacks, retail shake-ups, founder journeys, and the realities of entrepreneurship. Together, they unpack: • The beauty of intentional pivots and how to pivot before the crisis arrives • Why community and partnership matter more than ever • Lessons from leaders, founders, and mothers • What it means to gracefully close one chapter and step boldly into the next • Their own journey from individual founders to powerhouse partners Filled with laughter, vulnerability, industry insight, and signature Kendra-and-Leslie chemistry, this episode is both a wrap party and a roadmap. Plus, stay tuned for what’s ahead—Leslie’s new podcast, the expansion of LumiNicole, and Kendra’s upcoming Business of the Beat Season 6 “From Hustle to Harmony.”
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    56 分
  • The Power of Knowing Your “Why”: Kellie Chen on Building, Rebranding & the Alignment of Strategy, Storytelling and Intuition

    The Power of Knowing Your “Why”: Kellie Chen on Building, Rebranding & the Alignment of Strategy, Storytelling and Intuition
    2025/11/23
    In this intimate and energizing episode, Kendra sits down with branding powerhouse Kellie Chen, co-founder of 8Rue Inc, for a masterclass on what it really takes to build a standout beauty brand today. From her early career in Fortune 500 advertising to launching her own skincare line, Fytt Beauty, to leading one of the industry’s most sought-after boutique agencies, Kellie’s journey has shaped her into one of the industry’s most insightful voices on strategy-driven design and founder storytelling. They dive into: How to know when it’s time to pivot or rebrand The emotional and strategic signals of brand readiness Why profitability—not popularity—is the real growth engine The role AI can (and can’t) play in creative brand building What separates brands that scale from brands that stall The power of knowing your “why” at every stage A Taurus-to-Taurus conversation full of soul, clarity, and founder truth you won’t want to miss.
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    48 分
  • “Because This Is What We Do: Confidence, Leadership & Owning Your Value”

    “Because This Is What We Do: Confidence, Leadership & Owning Your Value”
    2025/11/16
    In this episode of Business of the Beat, Kendra and Leslie kick things off with Halloween costumes, makeup, and wardrobe—but quickly connect it all to a deeper theme: confidence. From affirmations with their daughters to boardrooms, negotiations, and entrepreneurship, they break down what confidence really is (and what it’s not), how it shows up in leadership, and why being grounded in who you are is non-negotiable. Leslie shares her now-iconic “because this is what we do” moment, plus hard-earned insights from years in recruiting about how different people advocate for themselves—especially when it comes to roles and salary. Kendra unpacks how knowledge, preparation, personal branding, and consistency shape how others experience your leadership, whether you’re pitching investors, running a company, or advocating for your child’s health. Listeners will learn: How to define confidence for yourself—beyond titles, looks, and perfection Why preparation and self-knowledge are the true roots of unshakable confidence How your style, presence, and consistency become part of your leadership brand Ways to stop “selling yourself short” and start asking for what you’re really worth
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    40 分
  • The Power of Graceful Endings

    The Power of Graceful Endings
    2025/11/09
    Starting strong gets the spotlight — but how you finish defines your legacy. In this episode, Kendra and Leslie explore why endings matter just as much as beginnings in business, leadership, and life. From closing a company to leaving a job or ending a partnership, the way you exit reveals your values, your integrity, and your emotional intelligence. The hosts unpack what it means to “finish well,” how to navigate transitions with grace, and why your final impression often determines the opportunities that come next. They also spotlight Diarrha Ndiaye Mbaye, founder of Ami Colé, whose recent, transparent closure of her brand, followed by her new role as VP of Beauty and Fragrance at Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS exemplifies what it looks like to move forward with authenticity and strength. Tune in for: Real talk on endings, pivots, and evolution in entrepreneurship Lessons on maintaining relationships and reputation during transitions A blueprint for exiting with purpose, gratitude, and grace Because in leadership and in life how you exit is just as important as how you start.
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    34 分
  • The One Thing That Powers Every Win in Business

    The One Thing That Powers Every Win in Business
    2025/10/26
    Kendra Bracken-Ferguson and Leslie Roberson get real about the one thing that powers every win in business (and life): how you treat people. From juggling motherhood and meetings to navigating tough “no’s,” they break down the soft skills that drive hard results—researching before the call, asking smarter questions, reading the room, and closing the loop with thoughtful follow-ups. Leslie pulls from years in talent acquisition to share why your final touchpoint matters most, how to be a good steward of introductions, and the virtual etiquette (turn your camera on!) that shapes your personal brand. Plus: the group chat, a quick Oregon detour, and a reminder that confidence and character are your ultimate calling cards. You’ll learn: A simple prep framework for first meetings The art of the ask—and the responsibility of the connector Why endings (thank-yous, updates, rejections) build long-term equity Virtual meeting cues that signal respect and credibility How reciprocity, accountability, and kindness compound over time Rate, review, and comment how you’re nurturing relationships this week
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    35 分
  • BEYOND SEX APPEAL: The Powerful Return of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

    BEYOND SEX APPEAL: The Powerful Return of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
    2025/10/19
    In this episode of Business of the Beat, co-hosts Kendra and Leslie explore the powerful return of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and what it says about the future of beauty, fashion, and female empowerment. Once known for its narrow definition of “sexy,” Victoria’s Secret is undergoing a bold transformation—renovating, refocusing, and reclaiming its legacy through authenticity and inclusion. With athletes like Angel Reese and Suni Lee stepping onto the runway, the brand is bridging performance and beauty in a way that celebrates confidence, strength, and real stories of womanhood. Kendra and Leslie unpack how this cultural reboot reflects a broader movement: the rise of athletes as beauty icons, the blending of sport and style, and the power of evolving with purpose. Tune in for a conversation that connects the dots between cultural relevance, brand reinvention, and the unstoppable force of women redefining beauty on their own terms.
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    36 分
  • Retail Reimagined: Building the Future of Immersive, Location-Driven Retail

    Retail Reimagined: Building the Future of Immersive, Location-Driven Retail
    2025/09/28
    Live from the Women of Color in Retail B.I.G. Summit in NYC, hosts Kendra Bracken-Ferguson and Leslie Roberson welcome Karla Davis of Bath & Body Works and Kareena Phillips of LaGuardia Gateway Partners to Business of the Beat. Karla unpacks how brands can reimagine retail—elevating store experiences, showing up on college campuses, and building with culture. Kareena shares how airport retail is evolving with local pop-ups, food programs, and traveler-first design. From omni-channel buzzwords to birthday laughs and rapid-fire Q&A, this episode is packed with insights for founders, retailers, and anyone rethinking the future of retail.
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    22 分
  • “Generational Wisdom: A Conversation With Mom”

    “Generational Wisdom: A Conversation With Mom”
    2025/09/21
    For the first time on Business of the Beat, Kendra welcomes her mom, Teresa Bledsoe, for a heartfelt conversation on leadership, love, and entrepreneurship. Together, they reflect on Teresa’s journey from corporate executive to entrepreneur, the side hustles that shaped Kendra’s early experiences, and the generational wisdom passed from grandmother to mother to daughter. This intimate conversation highlights stories and experiences rooted in resilience, legacy, and the importance of “treating people right and doing the best you can.” Tune in for inspiration, laughter, advice for working moms, and the reminder to not miss out on following your dreams—no matter your age.
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    17 分