Kendra Bracken-Ferguson and Leslie Roberson get real about the one thing that powers every win in business (and life): how you treat people. From juggling motherhood and meetings to navigating tough “no’s,” they break down the soft skills that drive hard results—researching before the call, asking smarter questions, reading the room, and closing the loop with thoughtful follow-ups. Leslie pulls from years in talent acquisition to share why your final touchpoint matters most, how to be a good steward of introductions, and the virtual etiquette (turn your camera on!) that shapes your personal brand.

Plus: the group chat, a quick Oregon detour, and a reminder that confidence and character are your ultimate calling cards.

You’ll learn:

A simple prep framework for first meetings

The art of the ask—and the responsibility of the connector

Why endings (thank-yous, updates, rejections) build long-term equity

Virtual meeting cues that signal respect and credibility

How reciprocity, accountability, and kindness compound over time

Rate, review, and comment how you’re nurturing relationships this week

In this episode of Business of the Beat, co-hosts Kendra and Leslie explore the powerful return of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and what it says about the future of beauty, fashion, and female empowerment. Once known for its narrow definition of “sexy,” Victoria’s Secret is undergoing a bold transformation—renovating, refocusing, and reclaiming its legacy through authenticity and inclusion.

With athletes like Angel Reese and Suni Lee stepping onto the runway, the brand is bridging performance and beauty in a way that celebrates confidence, strength, and real stories of womanhood. Kendra and Leslie unpack how this cultural reboot reflects a broader movement: the rise of athletes as beauty icons, the blending of sport and style, and the power of evolving with purpose.

Tune in for a conversation that connects the dots between cultural relevance, brand reinvention, and the unstoppable force of women redefining beauty on their own terms.

Live from the Women of Color in Retail B.I.G. Summit in NYC, hosts Kendra Bracken-Ferguson and Leslie Roberson welcome Karla Davis of Bath & Body Works and Kareena Phillips of LaGuardia Gateway Partners to Business of the Beat.

Karla unpacks how brands can reimagine retail—elevating store experiences, showing up on college campuses, and building with culture. Kareena shares how airport retail is evolving with local pop-ups, food programs, and traveler-first design.

From omni-channel buzzwords to birthday laughs and rapid-fire Q&A, this episode is packed with

insights for founders, retailers, and anyone rethinking the future of retail.

For the first time on Business of the Beat, Kendra welcomes her mom, Teresa Bledsoe, for a heartfelt conversation on leadership, love, and entrepreneurship. Together, they reflect on Teresa’s journey from corporate executive to entrepreneur, the side hustles that shaped Kendra’s early experiences, and the generational wisdom passed from grandmother to mother to daughter.

This intimate conversation highlights stories and experiences rooted in resilience, legacy, and the importance of “treating people right and doing the best you can.”

Tune in for inspiration, laughter, advice for working moms, and the reminder to not miss out on following your dreams—no matter your age.

In this episode of Business of the Beat, co-hosts Kendra Bracken-Ferguson and Leslie Roberson return for Part 2 of their candid conversation, taking listeners deeper into their personal journeys. From daily rituals and guilty pleasures to nostalgic TV favorites and the beauty trends that shaped their perspectives, Kendra and Leslie open up about the experiences that continue to influence their lives and careers.

They share reflections on dream jobs, the evolution of their partnership, and the importance of health practices and personal growth in sustaining success.

With honesty and humor, the hosts highlight the tools they rely on for resilience while envisioning the next chapters of their journey.

✨ Tune in for inspiration, laughter, and lessons on balance, business, and becoming your best self.

Find more shows like this on the Mean Ole Lion app.

In this episode of *Business of the Beat*, hosts **Kendra Bracken-Ferguson** and **Leslie Roberson** open up about their personal and professional journeys, reflecting on the big wins, defining moments, and pivotal relationships that have shaped their careers.

In part two of our deep dive into beauty retail shake-ups, Kendra Bracken-Ferguson and Leslie Roberson break down Bath & Body Works’ surprising move onto college campuses.

Is it a genius strategy or just a gimmick? The hosts unpack what this means for Gen Z consumers, the future of retail touchpoints, and how innovation from brands like LumiNicole is paving the way for beauty in high-traffic spaces like airports, hotels, and bookstores. Plus, Kendra and Leslie share personal parenting wins and candid insights into building models where everybody wins.

Tune in to hear why the future of beauty isn’t just about what you sell—it’s about where you sell it.

In this episode of Business of the Beat, hosts Kendra Bracken-Ferguson and Leslie Roberson reflect on their latest wins, including a successful event in Martha’s Vineyard. They dive into the shifting retail landscape with a candid discussion on the Ulta x Target partnership ending—what it means for emerging brands, the role of DEI in retail, and the future of the shop-in-shop model.

Kendra and Leslie also share their vision for Lumina Cole, their venture dedicated to amplifying underrepresented brands. Plus, they drop a teaser for next week’s episode featuring Bath & Body Works.

✨ Find more shows like this on the Mean Ole Lion app.

We’re re-releasing this powerful Season One conversation with Tisha Thompson, founder and CEO of LYS Beauty, to celebrate key milestones that have been accomplished in the past 4 years! When this episode first aired in 2021, LYS had just launched as the first Black-owned clean cosmetics brand at Sephora. Today, Tisha has secured historic eight-figure funding and expanded into every Sephora door across the U.S., Canada, and Australia, plus nearly 900 Sephora at Kohl’s locations. Alongside of this expansion, Business of the Beat host, Kendra Bracken-Ferguson was appointed to the LYS Beauty Board of Directors. LYS continues to redefine clean beauty with inclusivity and accessibility at its core. Listen in as Tisha shares her inspiring path from makeup artist and accountant to beauty industry trailblazer, and why representation, intentionality, and purpose-driven development remain at the heart of her success.

In this powerful episode, Kendra Bracken-Ferguson and Leslie Roberson unpack the emotional and structural implications behind the closing of beloved beauty brand Ami Colé. More than a business decision, it's a mirror reflecting the industry's persistent challenges—from DEI rollback and consumer perception, to the burden of founder identity and the urgency of leadership evolution. With raw honesty and deep industry insight, the hosts explore what this moment means for Black beauty founders, how we build for sustainability, and the importance of pivoting with purpose.

They honor the legacy of Ami Colé and call for accountability, while also sharing the behind-the-scenes lessons shaping their own venture, LumiNicole Beauty.

Tune in for a candid conversation on community, leadership, and the future of inclusive beauty.