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Guest: Leee John - Singer/Song-Writer/ Founder of IMAGINATION/Entrepreneur

Episode Host: Angela 

In this episode of Begin, Build, Blossom, we sit down with legendary artist and entrepreneur Leee John to explore what it truly takes to create your own path in entrepreneurship and beyond. From his iconic career with Imagination to his evolution as a creative leader, Leee shares powerful insights on resilience, reinvention, and building a vision that lasts. Whether you’re launching a business, growing a brand, or seeking inspiration from a world‑class creator, this conversation delivers practical wisdom and motivational energy to fuel your journey.

In this inspiring conversation with Leee John, we explore a wide range of themes that shaped his life, artistry, and entrepreneurial journey, including:

• Growing up in a Saint Lucian household and how culture, family, and heritage influenced his worldview
• His early development in the music industry and the lessons learned along the way
• How to stay resilient, focused, and determined despite distractions and industry pressures
• The importance of staying grounded while navigating fame and the entertainment world
• Why having the right team is essential for long-term success
• The often‑overlooked business side of being a singer, songwriter, and performer
• His unforgettable experiences working as a singing waiter and how those moments shaped his craft
• What it truly looks like to build a career from the ground up
• How opportunity meets preparation, and why readiness is everything
• Heart-warming and humorous childhood memories that reveal the roots of his creativity

To find out more about Leee John check out the handles below:

Website: https://www.leeejohn.com

Instagram: @leeejohnofficial 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leee-john-37194717

#LeeeJohn #BeginBuildBlossom #Podcast #Inspiration #Creativity #EntrepreneurLife #MusicIcon  #BlackBritishMusic #CulturalLegacy #SaintLucianHeritage #MusicHistory #Trailblazer #LivingLegend #Storyteller #CulturalInfluence #IconicVoices #saintlucia

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Guest: Colossain Davis

Episode Host: Clarita 

Today’s guest is Colossain Davis, the owner of Tori’s Tasty Treat Café.

Colossain began her journey as a home baker and has since opened her very own café, serving coffee, teas, and delicious homemade desserts along with hand-selected treats she personally considers the best of the best.

While the café has been open for just one year, Colossain brings over 25 years of baking experience to her business. Her journey began with one unforgettable recipe: her grandmother’s sweet potato pie.

After her grandmother passed, no one else in the family knew how to make those beloved pies. Determined to honor her memory, Colossain baked her grandmother’s pies from memory and from that moment, Tori’s Tasty Treat Café was born.

What we discuss in this episode:

• Making the transition from home baker to café owner
• Building community through staff, customers, and fellow business owners
• Creating a welcoming environment for both employees and customers
• The importance of continuous learning as a business owner
• Using social media as a tool for business growth
• Personal and professional growth along the entrepreneurial journey

Visit Tori’s Tasty Treat Café:

Address: 236 Hollywood Ave, Hillside, NJ 07205
Tel: 862-381-5550
Website: https://toristastytreat.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tori_tastytreats

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tori_tastytreats

#HomeBaker #CafeOwner #SmallBusinessOwner #BrickAndMortar #FoodEntrepreneur #BakeryBusiness #WomenInBusiness #BusinessJourney 
#CommunityBusiness #FromHomeToStorefront #SupportSmallBusiness 
#BeginBuildBlossom

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Guests: Ylyss Taylor-Nurse & Lorraine Millington

Episode Host: Clarita 

Community, Collaboration & Building Your Own Stage

In this episode of Begin, Build, Blossom, we’re joined by two accounting professionals who understand the realities of building a business and how community, collaboration, and saying YES can shape the journey.

Ylyss Taylor-Nurse, Founder of TaylorMade Accounts LLC, brings nearly 18 years of experience across private and public accounting. She supports small business owners by cleaning up messy books, creating customized financial reports, and putting simple systems in place so entrepreneurs can make confident decisions, stay compliant, and grow without overwhelm.

Lorraine Millington is a tax strategist and wealth advisor with over 18 years of experience working with entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and corporate professionals. Her work goes beyond tax filing. Lorraine helps clients align tax strategy with real financial decisions so they can protect what they earn, plan intentionally, and build long-term wealth.

Together, we have an honest, energizing conversation about what it really looks like to be a business owner especially when community, collaboration, and visibility are part of the strategy.

What We Talk About

• The moments where saying YES changed the direction of their journeys
• Why collaboration with other professionals is a win for everyone involved
• What community and visibility actually mean and what they look like in practice
• Networking in a way that feels aligned
• Creating your own stage; what that means as a business owner

This episode is a reminder that there’s power in saying YES and that our businesses are part of an ecosystem. Meaningful growth happens when you surround yourself with the right people and make intentional moves.

Connect with Our Guests

Ylyss Taylor-Nurse
LinkedIn (Personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ylyss-taylor

LinkedIn (Business): https://www.linkedin.com/company/taylormade-accounts-llc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090339819616

Website: https://www.taylormadeaccounts.com

Lorraine Millington
LinkedIn (Personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorrainemillington/

LinkedIn (Business): https://www.linkedin.com/company/melanin-tax-solutions/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelaninTax

Website: https://melanintax.com

#collabs #accounting #bookkeeping #taxplanning #taxpreparation #community #YES #beginbuildblossom

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Guest: Alan Rosenbaum

Episode Host: Clarita 

Today’s guest is Alan Rosenbaum, an Income Tax and Accounting Professional with 47 years of experience working with individuals and small businesses.

His work includes Personal, Corporate, Fiduciary, and Estate Taxes, as well as Sales Tax, Payroll Tax Preparation, and Business Incorporations. A guiding principle in his practice has been:

“People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

In this conversation, Alan shares what he’s learned across nearly five decades in the field and offers practical perspectives on tax season, business operations, and the changing landscape for both tax professionals and small business owners.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• How he started in tax and accounting and the lessons learned over the years
 • The role word-of-mouth plays in sustaining a service-based business
 • How small business owners can prepare for tax season and reduce year-end stress
 • Updates introduced by the “Big Beautiful Bill” and what they may mean for taxpayers
 • Ways bookkeepers and tax professionals can work together to support their clients effectively

Looking for guidance on what to do before December 31 to prepare for tax season?

This episode highlights several steps business owners can consider as year-end approaches.

Connect with Alan:

Mobile: 914-582-9875
Office: 718-829-2400 ext. 105
Fax: 718-228-4458
Email: [email protected]

#bigbeautifulbill #tax #endofyear

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Guest: Harvey Pierre, Founder of Aveya Winery

Today, we’re sitting down with the young entrepreneur behind Aveya Winery, a bold St. Lucian brand turning locally grown fruits and family tradition into something unforgettable. What began as a tribute to his grandmother has now become a growing business; one that blends culture, creativity, and a whole lot of passion.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Who he is behind the Aveya brand and the roots that shaped him
• What sparked his love for winemaking and why fruit wine felt like home
• His business ventures before the winery and how each one prepared him for this chapter
• Lessons from his upbringing that still guides him in business
• What it means to be in a category of one and how he navigates that space
• The wins and challenges he’s faced while building Aveya
• The partnerships and collaborations that continues to help him expand
• What makes fruit wine its own category and how his unique tasting experience brings that difference to life
• What’s next for Aveya Winery as the brand continues to evolve

Connect with Harvey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveypierre

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niylez

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aveya_winery

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Guest: Philip Kwoka

Episode Host: Clarita 

We’re joined by Philip Kwoka, President and Founder of the Bronx School for Music. Philip is a Polish American pianist who began his studies right here in New York and went on to train at some of the most prestigious institutions in the country, including the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Mannes School of Music. Along the way, he studied with world-renowned teachers, performed on NPR’s From the Top, earned first prizes in multiple international competitions, and received numerous grants and scholarships. Now, he’s extending those same kinds of opportunities to students through his school.

Philip shares the story behind launching the Bronx School for Music during the height of Covid, a moment when most people believed it wasn’t the right time to start anything new. But with vision, conviction, and a deep commitment to community, he built a school that continues to grow and make an impact.

We explore:

• How he got started during Covid and why he moved forward despite doubt from others
• Building a team and creating a culture aligned with purpose and excellence
• The joys and pressures of running a mission-driven music school
• Generosity in business; what it means, what it looks like, and how he leads with it
• The ripple effect of every decision and how today’s choices shape tomorrow’s legacy
• What support truly looks like when you’re building something that serves a community

Contact Philip:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philipkwoka

Email: [email protected]

This is a thoughtful, inspiring conversation about vision, discipline, and the power of choosing to create opportunity even in uncertain times.

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In this special episode, we’re joined by three returning guests — Shanita Joy Murray (RN & Doula), Naa Adoley Pappoe (Maternal Mental Health Specialist), and Janice Leonard-Garcia (Licensed Counselor & Sex Therapist).

Together, we explore women’s wellness across various life stages, from our 20s through our 50s and beyond, covering early health considerations, fertility and postpartum support, perimenopause, emotional well-being, intimacy, and the importance of holistic care.

These women are leaders and business owners making a real impact in their communities, and this conversation is filled with insight, honesty, and powerful reminders of how caring for ourselves strengthens how we lead and live.

Contact Info

Shanita Joy Murray

Website: https://www.iamchoosingjoy.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thee_rndoula

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shanitachoosingjoy

Janice Leonard-Garcia
Website: https://www.cognitiveshiftstherapy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cognitiveshiftstherapy

Naa Adoley Pappoe
Website: https://www.naapappoe.com

Instagram (Private Practice): https://www.instagram.com/naapappoelmsw

Instagram (Single Moms Club): https://www.instagram.com/iamsinglemomsupported/

 #WomensWellness #WomensHealth #BeginBuildBlossom 

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Guest: Megan Spencer

Episode Host: Clarita 

Today’s guest is Megan Spencer, Founder and Principal Interior Architect of Meg + Grace Design Studio, a boutique interior architecture and custom art practice based on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia.

With over 15 years of industry experience spanning hospitality, healthcare, workplace, and community projects, Megan has built a practice rooted in creating human-centred spaces that balance identity, purpose, and functionality. Through Meg + Grace, she blends interior architecture with custom artwork including murals and commissioned pieces to craft environments that tell a story and leave a lasting impression.

In this episode, we dive into the real journey of building a business in the creative space, the passion behind it, the lessons that shape it, and the practical insights that help it grow.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Her first 6 months in business — the surprises, the stretch moments, and the early wins that showed she was on the right path.
• What led her to entrepreneurship after 15 years in the industry and the key moments that pushed her to take the leap.
• The highs and the challenges — from standout projects and client highlights to navigating capacity, uncertainty, and the realities of running a creative studio.
• What makes Meg + Grace unique — blending interior architecture with custom artwork to create purposeful, human-centred spaces.
• What creatives should consider when stepping into entrepreneurship.
• How she approaches collaboration and building her project team to bring each design to life with intention and cohesion.

Whether you’re a designer, a creative entrepreneur, or someone navigating the early seasons of business ownership, this episode is packed with insights that will resonate with your own journey.

Connect With Megan

• LinkedIn (Megan): https://www.linkedin.com/in/megangracespencer
  
  
• LinkedIn (Meg + Grace): https://www.linkedin.com/company/meg-plus-grace-design-studio/posts
  
  
• Website: https://megplusgrace.com.au
  
  

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Happy International Men's Day 2025! 

Guest: Dr. Joachim Jimie, Consultant Urological Surgeon & Andrologist

Episode Host: Angela 

Episode Partner: Saint Lucia High Commission, the official representative of the Government of Saint Lucia in the United Kingdom

Listener Note:

This episode includes references to men’s health, wellness, and medical terms   that may not be suitable for younger listeners.
 
Episode Description:
In commemoration of International Men’s Day 2025, Begin, Build, Blossom presents a powerful and timely conversation on men’s health in partnership with the Saint Lucia High Commission. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Joachim Jimie, a Saint Lucian Urological Surgeon and Andrologist whose journey embodies passion, purpose, and service.

Born and raised in Saint Lucia, Dr. Jimie began his medical journey in Cuba before returning home to serve in the surgical department at Victoria Hospital, where he discovered his calling in Urology. His pursuit of excellence later led him to a prestigious fellowship at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London, one of the UK’s top centres for urological care.

This conversation explores his path, his mission, and the vital importance of men's health across communities.

In This Episode, We Cover:
 
✔️ Dr. Jimie’s journey from Saint Lucia → Cuba → the UK
 ✔️ What sparked his calling toward Urology and Andrology
 ✔️ Lessons from training, cultural transitions, and serving communities
 ✔️ Misconceptions and taboo topics in men’s health
 ✔️ Why early check-ups matter more than most men realize
 ✔️ His mission to educate, empower, and encourage healthier conversations among men
 ✔️ What families and partners should know when supporting men’s wellness
 
 Why This Episode Matters:
 Men’s health isn’t just a medical conversation, it’s a family conversation.
 A community conversation and ultimately, a legacy conversation.
 
Dr. Jimie brings clarity, honesty, and compassion to topics that men often shy away from, opening the door for better habits, stronger relationships, and healthier futures.
 
Whether you're listening from Castries, London, New York, or anywhere across the Caribbean, or the World, this episode will give you insight, perspective, and the encouragement to prioritize wellness for yourself or the men you love.
 
 Where to Find Dr. Jimie:
 
X: @jimiedean1

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Guest: Trix Worrell

Episode Co-Host: Angela

In this episode of Begin, Build, Blossom: Your Business Journey, we sit down with BAFTA nominee, British Comedy and the Royal Television Society award winner,  Trix Worrell.  A screen writer, director, producer, academic, cultural activist, and proud Saint Lucian whose work has shaped British media for over 40 years.

From creating the iconic sitcom Desmond’s to championing representation behind the scenes, Trix has dedicated his life to shifting narratives, opening doors, and telling stories that reflect the real, diverse fabric of our communities.

In this conversation, we unpack:

• His creative journey — how he became a writer for stage and screen, why he focuses on uplifting Black stories, and the inspiration behind telling the stories of the UK’s migrant population.
• Themes that shape his work — from generational struggles to the real-life impact of representation and why accurate portrayals on screen matter more than we think.
• The business behind the art — how he built his company, the biggest leap in his career, and the mindset and habits that have contributed to his long-term success.
• Life behind the legacy — how he balances professional demands with personal life while staying grounded in his purpose.

Learn more about his work:
www.distantvoicesgroup.com

A powerful conversation for anyone building in business and creativity — and shaping culture along the way.