Business That Speaks With Kelsie Downs

What if the next step in growing your business isn't doing more... but learning how to rest?

In Episode 5 of Business That Speaks, Kelsie Downs sits down with Tracy Zserdin, Executive Director of Cultivate OKC, to discuss entrepreneurship, faith, leadership, parenting through unimaginable hardship, finding joy in difficult seasons, and why Sabbath may be one of the most overlooked disciplines for business owners.

Tracy shares her powerful story of raising an adopted son through years of mental health struggles and incarceration, writing a book from that experience, and helping entrepreneurs build businesses that redeem culture instead of simply generating profit. This is one of the most vulnerable and encouraging conversations yet.

ARK Ramos is a wholesale manufacturer located in the heart of Oklahoma City, serving architects, contractors, signage companies, and marketing and branding agencies. If you're looking for custom wholesale letters, plaques, and architectural signage, visit ARKRamos.com to learn more.

• Learning to embrace Sabbath and true rest
• Parenting through mental illness and incarceration
• Finding joy in painful seasons
• Entrepreneurship with eternal purpose
• What it means to build a redemptive business
• Leadership through hardship
• The power of community and mentorship
• Why entrepreneurs need people around them
• How God uses brokenness for good

Whether you're an entrepreneur, leader, parent, or simply walking through a difficult season, this conversation offers practical wisdom and lasting hope.

#BusinessThatSpeaks #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Faith #ChristianBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Sabbath #PersonalGrowth #Parenting #CultivateOKC

This episode is sponsored by ARK RamosIn this episode:

What does it take to build a business people genuinely trust?In Episode 4 of Business That Speaks, Kelsie Downs sits down with Rebekah Voda, founder of The Treatment Room, to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, branding, social media, confidence, building an incredible team, and why choosing people over profit has become the foundation of her business.From opening a medical spa during uncertain times to growing into a larger location and leading a thriving team, Rebekah shares the mindset, challenges, and leadership principles that have shaped her journey.This episode is sponsored by ARK RamosARK Ramos is a wholesale manufacturer located in the heart of Oklahoma City, serving architects, contractors, signage companies, and marketing and branding agencies. If you're looking for custom wholesale letters, plaques, and architectural signage, visit ARKRamos.com to learn more.In this episode:• Building a successful business from the ground up• Why patient over profit always wins• Leadership and creating healthy team culture• Growing through difficult seasons• Social media strategies that actually work• Entrepreneurship lessons every owner should hear• Confidence, aging, and redefining beauty• Hiring, training, and retaining great people• Why authenticity is your greatest competitive advantageIf you're an entrepreneur, business owner, healthcare professional, creative, or leader, this conversation is full of practical wisdom for building a business that lasts.#BusinessThatSpeaks #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #SmallBusiness #MedicalSpa #WomenInBusiness #BusinessPodcast #BusinessGrowth #TeamCulture #Marketing

How do you build a successful business while leading people you can't control?In Episode 3 of Business That Speaks, Kelsey Downs sits down with salon owner Emma Battle to discuss her journey from content creator to hairstylist to co-owner of Salon89. Together they unpack entrepreneurship, leadership, hiring, difficult conversations, business partnerships, company culture, and why learning to let go of control has been one of the biggest leadership lessons.Whether you're building a salon, creative business, startup, or any growing company, this conversation is full of practical wisdom for leaders navigating people, purpose, and growth.In this episode:• Starting a business from scratch• Opening a salon during uncertain times• Leadership and company culture• Hiring and building great teams• Letting go of control• Business partnerships• Entrepreneurship lessons• Personal growth as a leader• Building community through businessIf you're an entrepreneur, creative, salon owner, or aspiring business leader, this episode is for you.This Episode is sponsored by The Purpose Formula by Jessica Rimmer. Click the link below to grab your copy! https://a.co/d/013X2bhv#BusinessThatSpeaks #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #SalonOwner #SmallBusiness #BusinessPodcast #WomenInBusiness #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #CreativeBusiness

What if branding isn't really about logos, colors, or marketing at all?

In Episode 2 of Business That Speaks, Kelsey Downs sits down with business strategist and mentor Cynthia, whose career has spanned healthcare, real estate, oil & gas, nonprofits, and entrepreneurship. Together they explore leadership, branding, business strategy, faith, relationships, values, and what it truly means to build a business people trust.

From turning down toxic clients to helping organizations create cultures that last for decades, Cynthia shares wisdom gained from a lifetime of experience helping businesses discover who they really are.

In this episode:

• Why branding is more than logos and marketing
• Building trust through authentic relationships
• Business strategy and leadership
• Values-driven entrepreneurship
• Knowing when to walk away from clients
• Faith and business
• The power of service and stewardship
• Personal growth and self-awareness
• Building organizations that last

If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, leader, consultant, or nonprofit professional, this conversation will challenge the way you think about business and relationships.

#BusinessThatSpeaks #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #Branding #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth #MarketingStrategy #ChristianEntrepreneur #PersonalDevelopment

What happens when you inherit a struggling family business and have to decide whether to let it fail or fight for its future?In the very first episode of Business That Speaks, Kelsie Downs sits down with Courtney Ramos of A.R.K. Ramos, a fourth-generation manufacturing company founded in 1946. Courtney shares the challenges of stepping into leadership, navigating family business dynamics, overcoming inefficiencies, and transforming a company that was losing over $100,000 per year.This conversation explores entrepreneurship, leadership, communication, personal growth, company culture, business turnaround strategies, family business challenges, and the importance of curiosity in business.Topics Covered:• Family business leadership• Business turnaround strategies• Entrepreneurship lessons• Communication and people skills• Manufacturing industry insights• Company culture and leadership• Women in business• Small business growth• Operational efficiency• Overcoming business challengesIf you're an entrepreneur, business owner, leader, or someone navigating difficult decisions, this conversation is packed with wisdom and practical lessons.

Kelsie’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsiekdowns

Stevie Social website: https://www.stevie.social/

Courtney’s company page:https://arkramos.com/

If you've been searching for more meaning in your life, The Purpose Formula by Dr. Jessica Rimmer offers a practical roadmap to discovering your purpose through your design, desires, and disappointments. Available now on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/5ab3cn5c

#BusinessThatSpeaks #Entrepreneurship #FamilyBusiness #Leadership #SmallBusiness #WomenInBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Manufacturing #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment