BOSS ; The Business of Soul Searching podcast

Rohan Gilkes blesses the podcast with insight on being an serial entrepreneur.  Rohan is the founder of Lawn Tribe, Back Pack, Wet Shave Club, Maids in Black, Launch27 and Innclusive.  He has helped hundreds of companies launch and grow through a series of transparent case studies on his companies. Along the way he has been featured in the Washington Post, Mixergy, The Startup Foundation, and other business media, and he is a member of the Young Entrepreneur Council.

As an introspective podcast should, I ask him questions about how growing up in Barbados has impacted his drive as an entrepreneur and impacted his hiring and team building approach. 

Introduction/ BIO

1:45 How does it feel to be a serial entrepreneur?

2:30 Rohan talks about being from Bush Hall, Barbados which is known for guns and violence. How did he stay focused, rise and prosper?

4:40 People in Barbados are looking for opportunity

5:37 Working for a woman selling freshly cut lettuce and making 25 cents to her dollar.  What separates children that makes some be more drawn to hustling than others?

8:15 What other things about your culture impact how you do business? 

9:15 How Rohan's culture builds businesses in a more community way?

11:21 What are things that people from the Caribbean can beware of in the business industry?

14:40 How did getting laid off impact your motivation to work for yourself? How that impacted your citizenship/ work visa?

17:50 What sparked the production of Innclusive?

20:10  How are companies falling short of their execution of their branding advertisement in 2017?

23:00 How do you increase diversity when building your team?

28:27 I ask Rohan random and yet thought provoking questions to give listeners a more personable side to him. 

 If you would like to connect with Rohan email him at;

[email protected] 

[email protected] 

www.innclusive.com 

Facebook/Twitter- Rohan Gilkes 

What interview was my favorite? Which event and interview was the most fear provoking for me to record?  

Part 1:

2:00 I reflect on my two seasons

4:30 I talk about my interview with T Barnes Beauty the World Wide Business tycoon from Texas!  Part advocate/business owner and mommy!

5:30 I talk about what event I was most nervous about taping live.

6:30 I think back on my interview with Jessica Mardi from Ask Girl Talk Real Talk

9:00 -25:00 I give insight to people starting podcasts(production, hiring/firing, selecting guests etc.)

Part 2:

25:00 I answer random questions like, "Do you have any advice for your previous boss."

and "What do you think about when you are alone in the car?" 

I appreciate you taking time to listen to my podcast, please email us if you are interested in being featured on The Business of Soul Searching [email protected]

Make sure to visit the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheBusinessofSoulSearching/

And Instagram

TheBusinessofSoul  

The death of Kenneka Jenkins really hit home for me.  When I think of the types of people and places that I hung around at the age of 19 years old, I cringe at what could have happened to us.  Being adventurous and impulsive, although dangerous, led to most if not all of my insight in my late twenties.  I felt Song Cry by August Alsina would be a fitting song for this week because this case is so horrific that the only thing that can describe it is music.  

If you are interested in being featured on The Business of Soul Searching podcast please email me at [email protected] 

In this podcast, I give my unfiltered perspective on Charlottesville, Virginia and why this continues to happen. I struggle incorporating politics into my podcast because it is controversial and causes people to shut down at times.  With that being said, as a woman of color I do not have the luxury to ignore politics much like I cannot ignore racism.  I made sure to offer my soul searching journey through racism and political awareness to show transparency in hopes to provoke and empower others to do the same. 

2:30 Charlottesville, Virginia incident this past weekend

5:30 I read a quote that I found on Facebook and who I look up to advocacy wise on my timeline

6:30 I speak about being inspired by a previous mentor of mine who advocates for different oppressed individuals.

8:45 Privilege is used in a condescending way now a days.  Why is it ineffective to come across as condescending?

11:18 How privilege has blinded me in the past and how I realized no one is safe!

17:00 It is easy to see who is silent (scared) to get involved in political discussion.

18:34 There is a sense of empowerment and confidence in speaking out against racial tension.

If you are interested in the topics we discussed today, please email me at [email protected] 

In this episode I break from my norm of static interview and take some time to reflect on my personal journey with brand building. I was booked for a photoshoot, red carpet event and interview and cancelled all three! Why you ask? Self care, that's why. My soul searching journey has led me to understand the importance of self care in building a flourishing business. I also talk about my biggest fear and why I "chase my fears"!

If you are interested in any information discussed in this podcast please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] 

Lindsay Joseph from Greater Now LLC explains to us leadership, career and business coaching.  We also included a consultation simulation so that followers can get a sense of how Lindsay assesses and aides her client's goal setting.  Of course, it wouldn't be a BOSS podcast without me asking Lindsay to tell us how soul searching has lead her to her current brand and business.  She speaks about past experience with domestic violence, being a single mother of two children, getting her doctorate and trying to keep it all together!  

1:30: Lindsay explains her business Greater Now LLC. 

5:30 Lindsay talks about how to utilize her services to the fullest. 

8:05 Lindsay and I simulate a professional mini-coaching session.

24:50 Lindsay tells us about how her dream relationships slowly transitioned into abusive relationships and what insight she has gained from these experiences. 

If you would like to connect directly with Lindsay, [email protected] 

Here is her Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=greater%20now%2C%20llc 

Also, if you are interested in being a guest on BOSS podcast, please email me directly at [email protected] or visit my website [email protected] 

Jessica Mardi and I sat down and talked about her brand, Ask Girl Talk Real Talk,  and how it stemmed from a recent suicide attempt.  She walks us through her story about being diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and seeking help.  Jess and I talk about barriers to treatment for people of color as well as alternative coping skills for people that do need help.  We conclude our discussion explaining the difference between the portrayal of mental health in "13 Reasons Why" as well as "Empire".  

Segment 1:

-We discuss Jessica's past suicide attempt and hospitalization. 

-Her opinion of therapy.

-Barriers to treatment for people of color

-How Ask Girl Talk Real Talk was birthed.

Second Segment

-13 Reasons Why vs. Empire and how these two shows impact the black community

We still have a few more days of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, what can you do to help people of color get the help they need? 

If you are interested in being interviewed as a guest on The Business of Soul Searching, please email me at [email protected].

Darell Douglas is a Providence native and currently owns a popular wing spot to be found at 447 Mineral Spring Pawtucket, RI.  Darell, better known as D, talks about growing up categorizing his family as the working poor.  He also talks about recognizing that his talents, once of age to work, would be better utilized working for himself.  We follow D through his story of starting a business, losing it all and getting it all back!

1:10-D tells his story about Foster Homes/ Foster Care

4:20-Being a knucklehead

6:10-D personally explains the term "working poor"

6:49- What is Death to 9-5s and why is it such a big hit in the Rhode Island urban community?

11:40-D gives shoutout to local brand/business doing well

15:40- Bargaining to get D's started in a gas station.

17:15- Financially purchasing a store front.

20:30- Almost having to close D's after being robbed.

24:00- D gives his emotional journey of losing it all about getting it all back. 

If you are interested in being featured as a guest on the Business of Soul Searching for future episodes, please contact me at [email protected]

Donahue Modeling Agency is back at it again hosting Fashion Week in Rhode Island.  We begin Season 3 on July 15th and July 16th and we are more than ready! I was given the go ahead to interview a few seasoned models of the agency and they most certainly cleared up misconceptions of the fashion industry.  

Oh and of course we give a few details about what to expect for Fashion Week RI!

All details for tickets and updates to be found on Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/events/1498271450257417/ 

First segment;

2:00 Ray Lorraine and I talk about Fashion Week RI

4:00 Who to expect at FWRI

5:00 Ray talks about transitioning from his last job to Donahue Modeling Agency

9:00 Misconceptions of the Modeling World

Second segment;

 18:00 Jay Todd discusses 10 years in the fashion industry and starting off with low confidence. He also goes over being a Mixed Asian Model. 

If you are interested in being featured on BOSS podcast for upcoming seasons, please email me at [email protected] 

The Business of Soul Searching welcomes you to our second season!  Our first guest Cyndii Louis walks us through creating her natural hair care Facebook group Kinks&Things with 3000 + members!  

Here's the link to visit and join her group;

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/289400964736060/ 

Others topics we discussed were;

10:15-How natural hair turns into a lifestyle

11:40- How to keep your Facebook group stimulated

16:49 Cyndii explains her interpretation of, "you don't go natural, you return natural."  Also, how this quote influenced her trip to Jamaica. 

20:56- Cyndii speaks about teaching at Achievement First Charter School in Providence, RI. Her school tested better than Barrington Highschool (affluent neighborhood with more funding) and why!

24:13 Cyndii talks about how working for this particular Charter School led to the birth of FB group "Kinks and Things". 

30:50 Public schools are intimidated by charter schools and how we can help advocate for our children. 

I plan to do a walk through of this amazing charter school as well as live stream to educate the community on this gem! Join my Facebook to stay connected; 

https://www.facebook.com/TheBusinessofSoulSearching/