We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300.

Guest Name: Susanne Mariga

Guest Business:  The Mariga Group

EPISODE SUMMARY 

In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Susanne Mariga, CPA, Fractional CFO, and CEO of The Mariga Group, a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business firm named the 2021 Profit First Professional Firm of the Year.

Growing up surrounded by math and books, Susanne was inspired by her father, an accountant who introduced her to business early, allowing her to intern in the family firm at just 14. Though she began college at Ohio State University on the pre-med track, she soon discovered her true passion for accounting and shifted her focus.

As Susanne built her corporate career, she realized the demanding hours were keeping her from her family, inspiring her to launch her own accounting firm. She grew it into a thriving business that she eventually sold, positioning herself to retire at 46.

Today, Susanne helps 7- and 8-figure entrepreneurs master profitability and scale sustainably through The Mariga Group and her Profit First System. She is also the author of Profit First for Minority Business Enterprises, host of The Profit Talk Podcast, and has been featured in outlets such as Houston Business Journal and MBE Magazine.

In the conversation, Susanne shares how she turned financial strategy into freedom, her approach to building wealth for entrepreneurs of color, and the lessons she’s learned about aligning profit with purpose.

If you’re passionate about entrepreneurship, financial empowerment, and building a business that serves both your purpose and your peace, this episode is for you.

 IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…

1. What was she like as a child? 
2. How did The Mariga Group come to life, and what inspired you to focus on empowering minority business owners through financial literacy and strategic growth?
3. As you built your business, how did you navigate the personal and professional pressures that come with leading and advising other entrepreneurs?
4. How has your journey influenced the way you view risk, success, and failure in entrepreneurship?
5. How have your past experiences shaped the way you now support other businesses through difficult transitions or financial uncertainty?
6. BBM Brag Moment   
7. What brings them joy? 
8. Why do black businesses matter? 

Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!

Connect with them

Connect with them on their website : 

https://susannemariga.com

Support the show

To connect further with me:
Visit my website: Thel3agency.com
Connect with me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thel3agency
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/
Connect with me on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency
Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can't wait to see you join us and take the pledge of #blackbusinessesmatter

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300.

Guest Name: Dr. Lakeba Hibbler Williams

Guest Business:  Fresh Hope Counseling Center

EPISODE SUMMARY 

In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Dr. Lakeba Williams, Director of Fresh Hope Counseling Center, LLC (FHCC), a multidisciplinary behavioral health practice she founded in 2012 to help individuals and organizations become more adaptable and resilient.

With over 30 years of experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Dr. Lakeba is dedicated to supporting clients through trauma, anxiety, grief, and race-related stress. She holds degrees in Social Work, Community Agency Counseling, and a PhD in Adult Education.

Dr. Lakeba reflects on her early experiences caring for her great-grandmother and how those moments shaped her purpose as a healer and leader. She shares the journey of building her practice while balancing family, faith, and professional growth.

In the conversation, she discusses the evolution of Fresh Hope Counseling Center, the frameworks she uses to guide her clients, and the value of taking calculated risks when growing a business. She also reads an excerpt from the book she co-authored with her daughters, offering insight into generational healing and legacy building.

If you’re passionate about mental health, leadership, and creating spaces that inspire healing and hope, this episode is for you..

 IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…

1. What was she like as a child? 
2. Navigating growth as a business owner 
3. Protecting your mental health 
4. What advice would you give to entrepreneurs navigating trauma while trying to build something meaningful?
5. BBM Brag Moment   
6. What brings them joy? 
7. Why do black businesses matter? 

Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!

Connect with them

Connect with them on their website : 

www.freshhopetoday.com

Support the show

To connect further with me:
Visit my website: Thel3agency.com
Connect with me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thel3agency
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/
Connect with me on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency
Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can't wait to see you join us and take the pledge of #blackbusinessesmatter

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300.

Guest Name: Jannice Newson

Guest Business:  Lillian Augusta Beauty

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Jannice Newson, social entrepreneur and Co-Founder & CEO of Lillian Augusta Beauty, a company creating plant-based hair extensions that merge beauty and sustainability.

Jannice takes us back to her childhood on the West Side of Chicago, reflecting on the experiences that sparked her early interest in environmental science. A quiet, sporty child, she went on to earn degrees in Environmental Science and Conservation Ecology, focusing her research on wetlands and agro-ecosystems.

Her work in environmental and agricultural landscapes revealed a personal challenge when traditional braiding hair often caused allergic reactions. That experience inspired her to develop a safer, plant-based alternative. While studying at the University of Michigan, she used campus resources to pitch her idea and secure funding for Lillian Augusta Beauty (LAB), a name chosen to honor her grandmother, the family matriarch who paved the way for their success.

Jannice walks us through the process of developing the product, conducting market research, and ensuring that the voice of the consumer remained central to every step.

If you’re passionate about sustainability, innovation, or redefining beauty through purpose, this episode is for you.

IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…

1. What was he like as a child?
2. His inspiration for LAB beauty.  
3. How do we help women to not normalize discomfort?
4. how hard is it to get people to transition to plant based hair? 
5. BBM Brag Moment   
6. What brings them joy? 
7. Why do black businesses matter? 

Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!

Connect with them

Connect with them on their website : 

http://hairwithoutharm.com

Support the show

To connect further with me:
Visit my website: Thel3agency.com
Connect with me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thel3agency
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/
Connect with me on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency
Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can't wait to see you join us and take the pledge of #blackbusinessesmatter

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300.

Guest Name: Marc Alexander

Guest Business:  Lite Raise

EPISODE SUMMARY 

In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Marc Alexander, visionary entrepreneur, Co-Founder & CEO of Lite Raise, and Founder of Lite Tuition. Through his ventures, Marc is transforming how nonprofits fundraise, engage communities, and expand access to education.

Marc takes us back to his early years, reflecting on the unconventional entrepreneurs who surrounded him as a child. While not traditional, they offered his first glimpse into entrepreneurial thinking and inspired his own path. That early exposure evolved into a career dedicated to using technology, leadership, and innovation to strengthen nonprofits and empower communities.

With Lite Raise, Marc is helping organizations secure funding, invest in tech improvements, and scale their impact. Beyond business, he shares powerful insights on maintaining wealth,from the mental mindset to the physical practices that sustain it, while underscoring the importance of being coachable, mentoring others, and passing along knowledge.

Marc’s commitment to service extends into his leadership roles on the boards of FreeStar Financial Credit Union and the Amour Women Foundation, where he champions financial literacy and community empowerment. A past Kiwanis president and Hixson Award recipient, he was recently honored as a 2025 Most Valuable Entrepreneur by Corp! Magazine and recognized as a Macomb 40 Under 40 honoree. As an author and speaker, Marc continues to advance his life goal of impacting 2% of the world through purpose-driven innovation.

If you’re passionate about entrepreneurship, community wealth-building, or creating businesses rooted in equity and impact, this is the episode for you.

 IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…

1. What was he like as a child?
2. His inspiration for entrepreneurship 
3. How his upbringing impacted her her business venture 
4. How do entrepreneurs maintain wealth
5. BBM Brag Moment   
6. What brings them joy? 
7. Why do black businesses matter? 

Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!

Connect with them

Connect with them on their website : 

https://literaise.com/   |   https://litetuition.com/

Connect with them on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcdalexander

Connect on their Personal Website: https://marcdalexander.com/

Support the show

To connect further with me:
Visit my website: Thel3agency.com
Connect with me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thel3agency
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/
Connect with me on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency
Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can't wait to see you join us and take the pledge of #blackbusinessesmatter

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300.

Guest Name: Rachel Bernier-Green,

Guest Business:  EJ Consortium

EPISODE SUMMARY 

In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Rachel Bernier-Green, the Founder & CEO of EJ Consortium, a serial social entrepreneur, and a recovering public accountant who has devoted the past decade to building businesses that create catalytic social and environmental change.

Rachel takes us back to her early years, where homeschooling sparked her entrepreneurial spirit and led her to launch her first backyard business. That early passion evolved into a career focused on building ventures like Laine’s Bake Shop and EJ Consortium, both dedicated to creating wealth for employees, uplifting impoverished communities, reducing crime and recidivism, and expanding access to quality food.

With EJ Consortium, Rachel has redefined what an accounting firm can be. Instead of reinforcing hustle culture, her firm helps entrepreneurs strategically plan for growth, sustainability, and balance. Her trauma-informed approach integrates mental health support and prioritizes holistic well-being, a philosophy shaped by her own journey through mental health challenges.

Rachel’s impact has been recognized by major outlets including the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Fox, Chicago Sun-Times, and Eater. In this episode, she shares how she is reimagining business models to resist purely capitalistic pressures and instead center restorative and economic justice.

If you’re passionate about entrepreneurship, community wealth-building, or creating businesses rooted in purpose and equity, this is the episode for you

 IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…

1. What was she like as a child?
2. Her inspiration for entrepreneurship 
3. How her upbringing impacted her her business venture 
4. The importance of community 
5. BBM Brag Moment   
6. What brings them joy? 
7. Why do black businesses matter? 

Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!

Connect with them

Connect with them on their website : 

http://www.ejconsortium.com

Connect with them on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ejconsortium

Support the show

To connect further with me:
Visit my website: Thel3agency.com
Connect with me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thel3agency
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/
Connect with me on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency
Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can't wait to see you join us and take the pledge of #blackbusinessesmatter

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300.

Guest Name: Jayla Head 

Guest Business: Advaco Collective Care & Consulting

EPISODE SUMMARY 

In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Jayla Head, a psychotherapist, speaker, writer, and founder of Advaco Collective Care & Consulting, a mental health consultancy providing compassionate, innovative, and culturally sensitive services.

Jayla takes us back to her childhood, where she grew up as a passionate dancer with an old soul, often surrounded by elders who shaped her perspective and values. From early on, she was focused on ensuring that her work would have a lasting impact on her family and community.

Her journey into entrepreneurship took root during graduate school, where she recognized both her privileges and the gaps between mental health services and the communities that need them most. This realization led her to create Advaco as a bridge to close those gaps, with a focus on supporting nonprofits, expanding access to care, and ensuring knowledge remains central to the process.

Today, Jayla uses her expertise to help individuals navigate uncontrollable life transitions and reminds us of the power of rewriting our own stories.

If you’re committed to showing up for yourself and others in meaningful ways, this episode is for you.
  IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…

1. What was she like as a child?
2. Her inspiration for entrepreneurship 
3. How her upbringing impacted her her business venture 
4. The importance of community 
5. BBM Brag Moment   
6. What brings them joy? 
7. Why do black businesses matter? 

Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!

Connect with them

Connect with them on linktree: 

https://linktr.ee/advaco.collective

Connect with them on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/advaco.collective

Support the show

To connect further with me:
Visit my website: Thel3agency.com
Connect with me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thel3agency
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/
Connect with me on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency
Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can't wait to see you join us and take the pledge of #blackbusinessesmatter

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300.

Guest Name:  Canetha Amour-Porter

Guest Business:  Amour Women Work Community and Amour Women Foundation

EPISODE SUMMARY 

In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Canetha Amour-Porter, visionary entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of the Amour Women Work Community and the Amour Women Foundation.

Canetha takes us back to her childhood, where a sheltered upbringing and early challenges with a learning and skin disorder shaped her resilience and determination. She shares how those experiences fueled her entrepreneurial drive, leading her to launch several small businesses, including a skincare line that grew from serving her family’s needs to reaching the public.

Today, Canetha has shifted her focus to creating a luxury coworking and business development space designed to empower women leaders and entrepreneurs. With a passion for blending strategy, wellness, and community, she has built a platform that helps women build businesses and lives rooted in clarity and purpose.

For high-achieving women ready to elevate their business and life, join The Lioness Circle—a 12-week transformation experience blending strategy, wellness, and visibility. This is for women who are done playing small and ready to lead boldly with sisterhood by their side. Only 45 spots available!

Learn more and apply here:

www.amourwomen.com/lionesscircle
  IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…

1. What was she like as a child?
2. Her inspiration for entrepreneurship 
3. How her upbringing impacted her her business venture 
4. The importance of community 
5. BBM Brag Moment   
6. What brings them joy? 
7. Why do black businesses matter? 

Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!

Connect with them

Connect with them on their website: 

www.amourwomen.com

Support the show

To connect further with me:
Visit my website: Thel3agency.com
Connect with me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thel3agency
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/
Connect with me on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency
Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can't wait to see you join us and take the pledge of #blackbusinessesmatter

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300.

Special Episode :

Guest Name:  Marc Brooks 

Guest Business:  Hyde Park Hospitality 

EPISODE SUMMARY 

In this special live episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we sit down with Marc B. Brooks, CEO of Hyde Park Hospitality, a privately held hospitality company specializing in foodservice management, airport concessions, lounge operations, and customer excellence advisory services.

Marc shares his journey growing up on the South Side of Chicago with two hardworking parents who inspired his entrepreneurial spirit. He recalls watching his father launch a Chicago-based business during his high school years, a pivotal moment that fueled his own drive to create opportunities and uplift communities.

From early ventures in DJing and wireless cellphones to leading one of the fastest-growing companies in Chicago, Marc opens up about the lessons he has learned along the way. He offers insights on knowing when it is time to exit a business, the complexities of selling a company, and how to refine your strategy as a serial entrepreneur.

Under Marc’s leadership, Hyde Park Hospitality has grown more than 900 percent since 2018 and now employs over 1,000 people across 20 states. Recently recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as one of the 50 fastest-growing companies in Chicago, Marc continues to lead with a vision for excellence and a commitment to developing diverse talent at every level of his organization.

If you are an entrepreneur looking for real-world strategies on scaling, leadership, and resilience, this is an episode you will not want to miss.

 IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…

1. What was Marc like as a child?
2. His inspiration for entrepreneurship 
3. How to know when to leave a business venture? 
4. How to scale your business? 
5. BBM Brag Moment   
6. What brings them joy? 
7. Why do black businesses matter? 

Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!

Connect with them

Connect with them on their website: 

https://hph-us.com/

Support the show

To connect further with me:
Visit my website: Thel3agency.com
Connect with me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thel3agency
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/
Connect with me on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency
Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can't wait to see you join us and take the pledge of #blackbusinessesmatter

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300.

Episode  116:

Guest Name:  Elzie Flenard

Guest Business:  Journey To Mastery

EPISODE SUMMARY 

In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Elzie Flenard, the Founder of Journey to Mastery, an organization that equips leaders with faith-centered strategies to align mindset, mission, message, and methods.

Elzie takes us on a journey through his childhood, where the encouragement of his sister gave him the confidence to pursue higher education and chart a new path for his life. His story spans from military service to working as an electrician, earning a degree in electrical engineering, and later completing a degree in operations. Along the way, he developed a deep interest in how businesses function, which ultimately sparked his entrepreneurial journey.

With experience across multiple industries, Elzie has built a career as a leadership strategist, entrepreneur, and podcast host. He shares how faith has anchored him through career transitions and business ventures, and how his personal experiences continue to shape the way he shows up as a parent, leader, and business owner.

If you're a serial. entrepreneur looking to refine your business strategy this is the episode for you!

Free Fix Your Focus In 5 Days: https://www.elzieflenard.com/fixyourfocus

 IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…

1. What was his journey to mastery! 
2. What was Elzie like as a child? 
3. How has faith impacted your journey? 
4. BBM Brag Moment   
5. What brings them joy? 
6. Why do black businesses matter? 

Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!

Connect with them

Connect with them on their website: 

http://www.elzieflenard.com

Connect with her on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elzieflenardiii/

Support the show

To connect further with me:
Visit my website: Thel3agency.com
Connect with me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thel3agency
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/
Connect with me on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency
Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can't wait to see you join us and take the pledge of #blackbusinessesmatter

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300.

Episode  115:

Guest Name:  Larvetta L. Loftin 

Guest Business:  The L3 Agency 

EPISODE SUMMARY 

In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, host Larvetta L. Loftin kicks off Season 10 with powerful updates and reflections. She shares how the podcast has grown over the past nine seasons, highlights lessons from the recent L3 Agency retreat, and offers a look at what’s ahead—from new technology to fresh, impactful conversations.

With the season themed “The Evolution of Entrepreneurship: Trauma,” Larvetta sets the stage for meaningful dialogue about how personal, generational, and systemic trauma shape the entrepreneurial journey. She also opens up about her own wins, life updates, and what it truly means to evolve as a leader today.

If you care about leadership, equity, education, or building impact through workforce development, this episode is for you

 IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…

1. What does it mean to reach Season 10 of the Black Businesses Matter podcast, and how has the journey evolved so far?
2. What were the biggest takeaways or favorite moments from the recent L3 Agency team retreat?
3. What exciting updates or shifts are happening at The L3 Agency that listeners should know about?
4. What personal wins or life updates have you experienced recently that connect to your entrepreneurial journey?
5. What new features or content can listeners expect this season—from BBM Lives to expanded video storytelling?
6. Why did you choose “The Evolution of Entrepreneurship: Trauma” as the theme for Season 10? Provide a baseline definition of trauma for this season
7. How has trauma, whether personal, generational, or systemic, shaped your approach to entrepreneurship?
8. What does it really mean to “evolve” as an entrepreneur today?
9. BBM Brag Moment   
10. What brings them joy? 
11. Why do black businesses matter? 

Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!

Support the show

To connect further with me:
Visit my website: Thel3agency.com
Connect with me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thel3agency
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/
Connect with me on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency
Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can't wait to see you join us and take the pledge of #blackbusinessesmatter