Black Entrepreneur Experience

What happens after you successfully build a company and experience an exit?

For entrepreneur Su Sanni, it meant taking what he learned from one venture and applying it to a new problem: affordable transportation in communities underserved by public transit.

In Episode #583 of Black Entrepreneur Experience, Dr. Frances sits down with Su Sanni, CEO of Dollar Ride, a mobility company focused on making affordable transportation more accessible, particularly in transit deserts.

Su shares the story of his first company, WeDidIt, a technology platform for nonprofit fundraising that was acquired by Allegiance Fundraising Group in 2019. He explains what he learned about building a company that creates value for potential partners and acquirers—and why an acquisition can take years to develop.

He then explains how his personal experience growing up in a transit desert, combined with his family's history in New York City's dollar-van industry, inspired the creation of Dollar Ride.

Su talks about identifying an underserved market, listening to drivers and riders, building technology around an existing community-based transportation model, and creating partnerships that could help expand access to affordable transportation.

In this conversation, Su discusses:

• Building a company with value creation in mind • Understanding what makes a business attractive to a potential buyer • Transitioning from one venture to the next • Identifying business opportunities through personal experience • Building around an underserved market • Listening to customers and potential users • Creating partnerships to support growth • Staying nimble when circumstances change • Experimenting with new business models • Learning to think differently about the future • Building companies designed to create economic opportunity • The importance of having the right people around you

Su also shares one piece of advice he continues to work on himself: everything you think will happen may take twice as long.

This From the Vault conversation looks at entrepreneurship beyond the initial startup launch—building value, recognizing opportunities, adapting to changing circumstances, and using business to address real-world problems.

Guest: Su Sanni CEO, Dollar Ride

What happens when losing your job becomes the catalyst for building your own business?

In Episode #582 of Black Entrepreneur Experience, Dr. Frances sits down with Myoshia Boykin-Anderson, founder of AnTech Solutions, an IT consulting and strategy company that helps entrepreneurs and small businesses work smarter, not harder.

Myoshia shares the story of being laid off in 1998 as a single mother with no savings—and how she turned that devastating moment into an entrepreneurial opportunity. After contacting the 63 clients she had previously served, she continued following up month after month until one client finally said, "As a matter of fact," launching her first business.

She went on to build AnTech Solutions into a multimillion-dollar technology consulting company focused on developing websites, mobile apps, software systems, integrations, and automation solutions for businesses.

Myoshia also speaks candidly about one of the most difficult lessons of her entrepreneurial journey: accumulating significant tax debt because she did not understand the financial side of running a business. Her experience ultimately taught her the importance of separating business and personal finances, maintaining clean books, managing cash flow, and planning ahead.

In this conversation, Myoshia talks about:

• Turning a layoff into an entrepreneurial opportunity • The power of persistence and consistent follow-up • Building a business around solving problems • Helping small businesses work smarter, not harder • Using technology, automation, and systems to scale • Why entrepreneurs need to focus on revenue generation • Managing cash flow and building financial discipline • Learning from major business mistakes • Creating opportunities for employees and family members • Building a business with legacy in mind • Knowing when to shift as customer needs change • The importance of trusting yourself and recognizing your own worth

Myoshia's story is a reminder that you don't always need to know exactly where you're going. Sometimes you need to recognize an opportunity, take the next step, and keep moving.

Guest: Myoshia Boykin-Anderson Founder, AnTech Solutions

What happens when everything falls apart—and you decide to build something anyway?

In Episode #581 of Black Entrepreneur Experience, Dr. Frances sits down with Casanova Brooks, an award-winning real estate agent, investor, speaker, podcaster, relationship builder, and entrepreneur.

Casanova shares the powerful story of how he went from growing up on the South Side of Chicago and navigating major life challenges to building a career in real estate and entrepreneurship.

His journey includes leaving college, working in sales, discovering the power of relationships, and learning that the people you serve and the relationships you build can create opportunities you never expected.

He also opens up about one of the most difficult periods of his life, when he lost his mother, his job, and his home within the same week while living in a new city without an established network. Rather than giving up, he focused on building relationships and creating opportunities.

Within nine months, he completed 46 real estate transactions totaling $8 million in volume and was recognized as Rookie of the Year in Nebraska.

Casanova talks about:

• Turning setbacks into opportunities • The power of relationships and networking • Moving from employee to entrepreneur • Why ownership matters • Building wealth through entrepreneurship and real estate • Learning from mentors and successful entrepreneurs • Taking calculated risks • Turning failure into a lesson rather than a stopping point • Building systems, processes, and teams to scale • The importance of persistence in business • Balancing entrepreneurship with family • Taking action instead of waiting to be ready • Building a legacy through ownership and generational thinking

One of Casanova's core messages is simple: you don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.

This From the Vault conversation is a powerful look at what can happen when relationships, persistence, ownership, and action become the foundation for rebuilding and growth.

Guest: Casanova Brooks Real Estate Entrepreneur, Investor, Speaker, Podcaster & CEO

What happens when two investment bankers leave a 20-year career on Wall Street to build a purpose-driven beverage company?

In Episode #581 of Black Entrepreneur Experience, Dr. Frances sits down with Asim Khan, former investment banker and co-founder of ZYN, a beverage company inspired by the ancient wisdom of turmeric and holistic wellness.

Asim shares the personal "aha moment" that led him and his brother to leave finance and pursue entrepreneurship. After witnessing their father experience severe diabetic nerve pain during a family trip to Pakistan, the brothers began researching turmeric and curcumin and ultimately developed a modern beverage built around this ancient ingredient.

But Asim's story goes far beyond the product.

He talks openly about the realities of entrepreneurship, including entering an extremely competitive beverage industry, learning sales and marketing from scratch, being repeatedly rejected by retailers, navigating distributors and suppliers, funding the company themselves, and building a business around a social mission.

One of his strongest messages to entrepreneurs is simple: take a risk on yourself.

Asim also shares why he believes good ideas—not money—are often the scarce resource, how entrepreneurs can begin looking for capital, why persistence matters, and what he wishes he and his brother had known about the industry before starting.

In this conversation, you'll hear about:

• Making the transition from investment banking to entrepreneurship • Turning cultural knowledge into a modern business • Building a mission-driven company • The realities of competing in the beverage industry • Funding a business without outside investors or debt • Why entrepreneurs need to bet on themselves • Learning sales, marketing, distribution and supply chains from scratch • The importance of persistence after rejection • Building strong relationships with business partners • Using technology to operate more efficiently • Balancing entrepreneurship, family and personal life • Creating a legacy based on impact rather than personal recognition

Asim's message is especially powerful for aspiring entrepreneurs who may be waiting for the perfect circumstances, the perfect funding, or permission to begin.

Sometimes the first investment you have to make is in yourself.

Guest: Asim Khan Co-Founder, ZYN

Learn more about ZYN: DrinkZYN.com

What happens when it's time to transition a business you've built?

In this conversation, Gloria Washington-Mines shares her experience building and successfully transitioning a profitable beauty salon. Her story offers valuable insight into entrepreneurship, business ownership, growth, change, and the decisions that come with moving into the next chapter.

This conversation remains relevant for business owners today because building a successful company is only part of the journey. The bigger question is what happens when circumstances change, priorities shift, or it's time to determine what comes next.

Listen in for a thoughtful conversation about entrepreneurship, transition, and the importance of thinking beyond the business you are building.

Connect with Autonomy By Design for strategic continuity advisory focused on helping business owners, families, and professionals navigate complex situations, important decisions, and change with clarity and confidence.

Learn more at AutonomyByDesign.com.

What happens when an entrepreneur doesn't limit themselves to just one business?

In this episode, we sit down with Max Luger, Founder & Creative Director of The Content Campus, a creative incubator agency focused on helping turn ideas into opportunities.

Max's entrepreneurial work extends across multiple ventures and creative projects, bringing together content, business development, real estate, and new ideas.

We explore the thinking behind building multiple businesses and opportunities while staying focused on creativity, growth, and execution.

Max is joined in his organization by a team that includes Kyla, Publicist & Media Relations, and Onome, Chief of Staff & Outreach Coordinator.

Through The Content Campus and its broader network of ventures, Max's work offers an interesting look at how entrepreneurs can build around their skills, ideas, relationships, and opportunities.

If you're an entrepreneur, founder, or business owner thinking about how to turn creative ideas into real businesses, this conversation offers an opportunity to hear Max's perspective.

Learn more about Max Luger and The Content Campus:

The Content Campus: https://thecontentcampus.com/ Onome Rentals: https://onomerentals.com/ SoulSync Beta: https://soulsyncbeta.com/ ToKillarRapper: https://tokillarapper.com/ Instagram: @thecontentcampus

Listen to the episode and discover the entrepreneurial thinking behind Max Luger's growing portfolio of creative ventures.

What if your story could become more than a book? What if it could become a platform for greater visibility, new opportunities, stages, media, and revenue?

In this episode, we sit down with Taurea Vision Avant, a two-time TEDx speaker, bestselling author of 15+ books, and founder of BookRich Profits Club™.

Over the past decade, Taurea has helped more than 11,000 authors and entrepreneurs turn their stories into stages, media, and revenue.

Taurea brings a powerful perspective on the connection between books, personal brands, visibility, and business growth.

In our conversation, we explore:

• Why a published book can be a powerful business development tool
• The visibility gap and why talented entrepreneurs can remain overlooked
• How entrepreneurs can use their stories to create greater visibility
• The system Taurea used to go from one book to two TEDx talks and international stages
• How building a community can create new opportunities for entrepreneurs

Taurea has been featured on ABC News, CBS, FOX 46, Yahoo News, Sheen Magazine, and TEDx stages worldwide.

If you're an entrepreneur with a story, expertise, or business that deserves greater visibility, this conversation offers a different way to think about turning your knowledge into opportunities.

Learn more about Taurea Vision Avant: Website: www.TaureaAvant.com Social: @VisionAvant

Listen to the episode and discover how your story can become a powerful business asset.

Episode 577: From Burnout to a Balanced Real Estate Business with Lesa Frye

What happens when success in real estate comes at the expense of your time, energy, and the people you love?

In Episode 577, we sit down with Lesa Frye, founder of Embrace Joyful Living Coaching, LLC, who helps experienced women in real estate who are exhausted and overwhelmed create sustainable, profitable businesses without sacrificing themselves or the people they love.

Lesa brings a powerful perspective to the conversation: building a successful business doesn't have to mean constantly running on empty.

In this episode, we explore the challenges experienced women in real estate can face when business demands begin to take over their lives, and the importance of creating a business that supports the life you actually want to live.

If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or real estate professional looking for a more sustainable approach to success, this conversation offers valuable insight into building a profitable business while creating greater balance.

Connect with Lesa Frye:

Website: https://lesafrye.com

Podcast: The Balanced Businesswoman — https://lesafrye.com/podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesafrye/

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

Listen to Episode 577 and discover how success and a fulfilling life don't have to be mutually exclusive.

What happens when a leader stops waiting for permission and starts building something that genuinely serves people? This week, Becky Stonebarger, owner of The Beacon Center, joins us to share the vision, the work, and the heart behind what she has built.

Becky's story is one of purpose meeting action — and her approach to leading and serving her community carries powerful lessons for every entrepreneur and leader who has ever felt called to build something that truly matters.

What You'll Learn:

• The vision behind The Beacon Center and the community it was built to serve
• What it really means to build a purpose-driven business from the ground up
• Lessons in leadership, resilience, and showing up fully for the people who need you

Connect with Becky: meetingspaceforyou.com

Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs a beacon right now.

Ashley Brooke Creative Studio has spent the past decade proving that meaningful storytelling creates lasting brands.

In this episode, we explore how the studio became a trusted creative partner for companies including Meta, Google, Spotify, Hulu, Sony Pictures TV, and Coachella. We discuss building a business without relying on a large digital presence, staying authentic in a competitive creative industry, and why culture-driven storytelling continues to outperform trends.

We also discuss their recent Netflix collaboration with Strong Black Lead, creative leadership, award-winning design, and what the future looks like for modern branding.

Topics include: • Brand strategy • Creative leadership • Storytelling • Marketing • Design • Business growth • Creative entrepreneurship

Subscribe for more conversations with innovators shaping the future of business and culture.