Breaking Barriers: Julia Isaac of Preferred Waste Solutions

What happens when service, entrepreneurship, marriage, and an unconventional industry collide?

On this episode of Women, Wealth & Entrepreneurship, host Ariel Shaw, MBA, sits down with Julia Isaac, CEO and Co-Owner of Preferred Waste Solutions, a minority-, woman- and veteran-owned sanitation company that Julia operates alongside her husband and business partner, Dawayne Isaac.

Julia’s journey is anything but traditional. A veteran and former law-enforcement professional, she has taken the discipline, leadership and commitment to service developed throughout her career and applied them to building a growing sanitation company. Alongside Dawayne—who brings more than 35 years of waste-management experience—the couple is carving out space in an industry where women and minority entrepreneurs have historically had limited representation.

This conversation goes beyond trash collection. Julia shares what it takes to build and scale an essential-service business, navigate entrepreneurship with your spouse, compete for larger opportunities, lead in a male-dominated industry, and turn operational excellence and customer service into a competitive advantage.

The conversation is especially timely as Preferred Waste Solutions enters a new chapter of growth. In 2026, the company was selected by the City of Selma, Alabama, for its residential and commercial waste collection contract—an expansion beyond its Georgia service footprint and a significant milestone for the company.

Tune in for a conversation about breaking barriers, building infrastructure, creating generational wealth, serving communities, and having the courage to build a business in spaces where few women who look like you are represented.

Women, Wealth & Entrepreneurship — where we talk about the businesses, strategies and stories behind women building wealth, creating impact and changing industries.Breaking Barriers in the Business of Waste: Julia Isaac of Preferred Waste Solutions

What happens when service, entrepreneurship, marriage, and an unconventional industry collide?

On this episode of Women, Wealth & Entrepreneurship, Ariel Shaw sits down with Julia Isaac, CEO and Co-Owner of Preferred Waste Solutions, a minority-, woman- and veteran-owned sanitation company that Julia operates alongside her husband and business partner, Dawayne Isaac.

Julia’s journey is anything but traditional. A veteran and former law-enforcement professional, she has taken the discipline, leadership and commitment to service developed throughout her career and applied them to building a growing sanitation company. Alongside Dawayne—who brings more than 35 years of waste-management experience—the couple is carving out space in an industry where women and minority entrepreneurs have historically had limited representation.

This conversation goes beyond trash collection. Julia shares what it takes to build and scale an essential-service business, navigate entrepreneurship with your spouse, compete for larger opportunities, lead in a male-dominated industry, and turn operational excellence and customer service into a competitive advantage.

The conversation is especially timely as Preferred Waste Solutions enters a new chapter of growth. In 2026, the company was selected by the City of Selma, Alabama, for its residential and commercial waste collection contract—an expansion beyond its Georgia service footprint and a significant milestone for the company.

Tune in for a conversation about breaking barriers, building infrastructure, creating generational wealth, serving communities, and having the courage to build a business in spaces where few women who look like you are represented.

Women, Wealth & Entrepreneurship — where we talk about the businesses, strategies and stories behind women building wealth, creating impact and changing industries.

When Pain Finds Purpose;

Tosha Smith-Mills & UNHEARD VOICES

It fits your brand because it moves beyond the documentary itself and speaks directly to women navigating business, life, leadership, adversity, and purpose.

When Pain Finds Purpose: Tosha Smith-Mills & UNHEARD VOICES

What happens when one of the most difficult chapters of your life becomes the catalyst for purpose?

On this episode of Women, Wealth & Entrepreneurship with Ariel Shaw, MBA, Ariel sits down with Tosha Smith-Mills, creator and producer of the award-winning docuseries UNHEARD VOICES: A Mother’s Quest for Freedom.

What begins as a conversation about an important documentary becomes a deeply personal discussion about motherhood, resilience, advocacy, entrepreneurship, healing, and finding the courage to use your voice.

Tosha shares the journey behind UNHEARD VOICES and how her family's experience ultimately inspired a project amplifying the stories of mothers and families.

Ariel and Tosha also explore what it takes to transform a personal experience into purposeful work—from developing a vision and telling difficult stories to building a platform capable of creating conversations far beyond your own community.

This episode is about more than a film.

It's about what happens when women decide their experiences will not silence them—and instead use those experiences to create, lead, advocate, and make an impact.

In this conversation:

• The story behind UNHEARD VOICES
• Motherhood, family, and resilience
• Turning pain into purpose
• Finding your voice after difficult seasons
• Entrepreneurship and purpose-driven work
• The power of storytelling
• Building something meaningful from personal experience
• Creating impact through film and advocacy

About Our Guest

Tosha Smith-Mills is the creator and producer of the award-winning docuseries UNHEARD VOICES: A Mother’s Quest for Freedom. Drawing from her own family's journey, Tosha has developed a platform that brings greater visibility to the experiences of mothers and families impacted by incarceration while creating space for conversations surrounding healing, advocacy, and change.

About Women, Wealth & Entrepreneurship

Hosted by Ariel Shaw, MBA, Women, Wealth & Entrepreneurship brings listeners conversations with entrepreneurs, executives, community leaders, creatives, and changemakers who are building businesses, creating opportunities, navigating leadership, and redefining what success and wealth can look like.

Now in Season 7, the podcast continues its mission of equipping, informing, and inspiring women through conversations at the intersection of business, wealth, leadership, entrepreneurship, and purpose.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and your favorite podcast platforms.

Connect & Follow

Follow Women, Wealth & Entrepreneurship and Southern Crescent Women In Business for upcoming episodes, conversations, events, and resources for women in business.

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Women, Wealth & Entrepreneurship Podcast Hosted by Ariel Shaw, MBA

Season 7 Episode 2Title: Preserving Culture Through Cuisine: Celebrity Chef Carlos Brown on Gullah Geechee Heritage, Entrepreneurship, and Legacy

In this compelling episode of the Women, Wealth & Entrepreneurship Podcast, host Ariel Shaw, MBA welcomes celebrity chef, entrepreneur, and cultural ambassador Chef Carlos Brown for an inspiring conversation about food, heritage, business, and legacy.Born and rooted in the rich traditions of the South Carolina Lowcountry, Chef Brown shares how his Gullah Geechee heritage has profoundly influenced his culinary philosophy, entrepreneurial journey, and commitment to preserving culture through food.More than a chef, Carlos Brown is a storyteller whose dishes serve as a bridge between generations—honoring the traditions, ingredients, techniques, and history of the Gullah Geechee people while introducing those flavors to audiences across the country.

During this engaging discussion, listeners will discover:

* The history and significance of the Gullah Geechee culture and its impact on Southern cuisine

* How family traditions, storytelling, and community shaped Chef Brown's culinary identity

* The role food plays in preserving cultural heritage and educating future generations

* Lessons learned from building a successful culinary brand rooted in authenticity

* The intersection of culture, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity* How chefs and business owners can leverage their unique stories to stand out in competitive industries

* The importance of honoring one's roots while embracing innovation and growth

* What legacy means to Chef Brown and how he hopes to inspire future generations of entrepreneurs and culinary professionals.

Throughout the episode, Ariel and Chef Brown explore the deeper connection between food and identity, discussing how cuisine can serve as both a business venture and a powerful vehicle for cultural preservation.Chef Brown's story is a reminder that entrepreneurship is not simply about building a brand—it's about honoring where you come from, sharing your gifts with the world, and ensuring that the stories of your ancestors continue to be told.

This episode offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs, food enthusiasts, cultural advocates, and anyone interested in the power of heritage, community, and purpose-driven leadership.

Memorable Takeaway: "Every recipe tells a story. Every meal carries a legacy. When we preserve our culture through food, we preserve a piece of ourselves for generations to come."

Hosted by: Ariel Shaw, MBAFounder & President, Southern Crescent Women in Business

Special Guest: Celebrity Chef Carlos BrownJoin us for a conversation that celebrates entrepreneurship, cultural excellence, and the enduring legacy of the Gullah Geechee people through the universal language of food.

WWE is a globally heard podcast elevating conversations around leadership, economic empowerment, ownership, and entrepreneurship. Entering Season 7, the podcast has successfully produced six impactful seasons, positioning itself as a trusted platform for women founders, executives, professionals, and decision-makers worldwide. Built on credibility, consistency, and conversion—where influence meets action.

Southern Crescent Women In Business is a conglomerate of women owned businesses and women in business, looking to change the landscape of the Southern Crescent and South Metro Atlanta.

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