Becoming The CEO Podcast

Reclaiming Your Story with Jason Acosta | Season 5, Episode 4

What happens when you stop letting other people define your story?

In Episode 4 of Becoming the CEO, Sabriena sits down with Jason Acosta for a powerful conversation about reclaiming your story, owning your experiences, and being intentional about who you’re becoming.

Together, they talk about identity, growth, purpose, resilience, and the power of taking control of your narrative. Because your story isn’t just what happened to you—it’s what you decide to do with it.

This season is all about Power, Proximity & Positioning, and this episode is a reminder that your story is part of your power.

🎙️ Listen, share, and join the conversation.

📲 Follow Becoming the CEO Network on Instagram: @becomingtheceonetwork
▶️ Subscribe to Becoming the CEO on YouTube for full episodes, interviews, and more.

Becoming the CEO of Your Life starts with owning your story.

From Storyteller to CEO: Building with Purpose

What happens when your story becomes the foundation for your business?

In this episode of Becoming the CEO, Lonna “Pumpkin” Dawson opens up about her journey from storyteller to creative founder. Anchored in this season’s theme of Power, Proximity & Positioning, Lonna shares what it means to build with intention, stay rooted in your vision, and create spaces that serve your community.

From building an intentional community sanctuary in the Bronx to navigating leadership, identity, and the realities of entrepreneurship, Lonna gets candid about reclaiming her voice and stepping fully into her power as a CEO.

This is a conversation about purpose, community, identity, and what it really means to build something that reflects who you are.

Subscribe | Like | Share and Comment! 

Follow us on Instagram @Becomingtheceonetwork 

Success doesn’t come from standing still—it comes from staying in motion.

In Episode 2 of Becoming the CEO Podcast, we’re talking about why consistency beats perfection and how taking intentional action, even when progress feels slow, is the key to building the life and business you envision. Whether you’re launching your first business, navigating a career transition, or simply trying to stay committed to your goals, this episode will encourage you to keep moving forward despite setbacks, fear, or uncertainty.

Remember: momentum creates opportunities. The most successful CEOs aren’t always the fastest—they’re the ones who refuse to stop.

🎙️ Connect with Becoming the CEO Network:

• Instagram: @becomingtheceonetwork

📺 Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the full video podcast, exclusive interviews, event highlights, and leadership content designed to help you become the CEO of your life, career, and business.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder to stay in motion.

The pilot episode of Becoming the CEO Podcast Season 5 sets the tone for a powerful new season centered on Power, Proximity, and Positioning—the three pillars that define how modern leaders build influence and step fully into their authority.

This episode features Chec, a Master Barber from the Bronx who has redefined his trajectory by stepping beyond familiar environments and into elevated, high-level spaces. His journey is a testament to the power of intentional positioning and the courage it takes to grow in rooms that challenge you.

Hosted by Sabriena C, the conversation goes beyond surface-level success to unpack the real strategy behind Chec’s evolution—from local talent to building a brand within luxury markets. Listeners gain insight into how proximity to new environments, strategic networking, and embracing discomfort can unlock next-level opportunities.
This is more than a podcast—it’s a call to step into the CEO role of your life with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Tap in and be part of the conversation. Watch and listen to Becoming the CEO Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon, and Apple Podcasts. Follow @BecomingTheCEONetwork on Instagram for exclusive clips, behind-the-scenes moments, and weekly drops. Subscribe, share, and join a growing community of leaders stepping boldly into their CEO era. Join our network by emailing [email protected]

Season 4 has been a rebirth. After taking almost two years off from full time podcasting I was nervous to relaunch. I was also disappointed with the delay of our visuals but I decided to keep going and just do what I do best. CREATE! 

We have had  some brilliant entrepreneurs appear on the show and to them I say thank you. But I close Season 4 heartbroken having lost one of the matriarchs of the Campbell family. In today’s episode I share how when God wants you to come full circle He will ensure you can’t avoid it.

As I transition into my 30s I realize that life is about passing a series of test and if you don’t pass the first time you will be tested continuously until you pass. After leaving my hometown in 2012 I became so preoccupied with the destination of “Becoming” that I distanced myself. I made myself believe that my family, that community wouldn’t understand the grind and what I’ve been trying to build.

And now I sit with regret as I have lost someone that had so much to teach me, show me and love on me. As we end Season 4 I want us to take away the following;

1. Savor the journey. Don’t rush, don’t envy, don’t skip or avoid the mistakes but savor it all.

2. Don’t fake it till you make it. Be your authentic self that’s the only way you will collide with destiny.

3. Identify and lean into the power of your community. You have met and are surrounded by these people for a reason and purpose. Your community is who will shop with you, refer clients to you and speak your name in rooms you haven’t been in.

4. Don’t quit. Just when you think things won’t get better endure until you are on the other side.

5. All that you need is within you. You don’t need anyone to vouch for you.

6. Have people pay for you expertise. What you think is just something simple people will pay for. 

7. A business plan is essential. But what’s a business plan if you have no customers.

8. As the CEO of your life and company be flexible. Develop skill to pivot on purpose for purpose.

9. Operate within your power not force.

10. Don’t let your independence blind you for the help and mentoring you have in your immediate family. Your family may not be perfect but they do have much to offer you even within their imperfections.

Thank you for all your support this season. I wish we were ending on a happier note but we must end here. Be sure to subscribe, share, rate and comment.



Follow BTC on Instagram & Threads @Becomingtheceopodcast 

As a black female founder Adero knows firsthand how vital it is to operate in your power rather than forcing things. CEO of TrubAI  which is the only technology providing the “what” and the “why” for urban planners.  Adero leads her team to success by simplifying the complicated. 

This week we discuss the importance of utilizing your network when considering candidates to hire. Not acting out of desperation and working from within your power rather than forcing things to be what they just aren't meant to be. Please subscribe, rate and share this episode with someone you love! 

Follow Becoming on social media: 

Instagram @Becomingtheceopodcast 

Follow  BTC on X  @Becomingtheceo 

Follow Velvet Luxe Cosmetics on Instagram @velvetluxecosmetics

Pivoting is an art. It’s an understanding that potential and purpose don’t have to fight against each other but use potential to lead you to your purpose. The life and journey of Falasha Campbell is the definition of pivoting into purpose. Her endurance, creativity and dedication to building her community lead her to opening the Ordered Steps Childcare facilities. 

Falasha shared her journey of creating her business through pivoting. It is a hope that as you listen to Falasha’s story you are inspired to pivot into purpose! 

Share today’s episode with someone you love! Subscribe, rate and comment. 

Follow Falasha: 

On Instagram @Falashology 

Follow _Orderedsteps

Follow and Subscribe to @powertopivotpod

Follow BTC on Instagram @Becomingtheceopodcast 

Follow  BTC on X  @Becomingtheceo 

Follow Velvet Luxe Cosmetics on Instagram @velvetluxecosmetics

Imagine stepping out on faith, believing in yourself and resting in God enough to have Him do the rest. Well that's a quick synopsis of Felicia's journey as the CEO of Freckles Juice . With 3 locations, mentoring young people all over NYC, Felicia lives her #CEOTIP "take yourself serious and everyone else will too."


In today's episode we discussed the importance of starting, letting your haters be your motivators and being real with yourself, as you asses what you have the capacity to actually do.  Please share this episode with someone you love. Be sure to subscribe for more, rate and comment! 

Follow us on social media:

Instagram @Becomingtheceopodcast 
Follow  BTC on X  @Becomingtheceo
Follow Velvet Luxe Cosmetics on Instagram @velvetluxecosmetics

The becoming journey has many phases and seasons. Some are better than others but they all help to shape us and help us become who we are destined to be. I had the chance to sit down with fitness trainer and professional athlete Mike Howard. Founder of Underrated Fit; a multifaceted sports and wellness brand here in the South Bronx. We dived into his childhood, his love for his family and most importantly his love for Baseball and  the power of turning your talent into a business.

Follow Mike on Instagram at Underrated_fit


Share this episode with someone you love. Subscribe and rate today’s episode.

Be sure to follow us on social media

Instagram @Becomingtheceopodcast 

Follow  BTC on X  @Becomingtheceo 

Follow Velvet Luxe Cosmetics on Instagram @velvetluxecosmetics