What happens when you follow the traditional formula, go to school, earn the degree, find a good job and the opportunity still isn't there?

On this episode of Conversations Are Key, Keyon Williams sits down with entrepreneur, business growth strategist and Influence2Impact founder Darius Benders for a conversation about entrepreneurship, credit, access to capital and creating opportunities when the traditional path doesn't work out.

Darius shares his journey from Division I college football and Boston nightlife to navigating financial uncertainty during the pandemic. After driving to Atlanta for an entrepreneurship conference he could barely afford to attend, Darius says a chance connection introduced him to the world of credit and business funding.

He eventually went from having no business funding to accessing $167,000 in just 47 days but as Key Will Voice challenges him, having access to $167K doesn't mean you're $167K richer.

They break down the difference between debt and leverage, building a strong credit profile, establishing relationships with banks and credit unions, what happens when entrepreneurs become overleveraged and why access to money without the knowledge to use it can be dangerous. Darius also discusses mentorship, the booming online coaching industry, Influence2Impact, My First Million and why he believes getting into the right room can completely change your trajectory.

In this episode: business funding, credit strategy, entrepreneurship, mentorship, personal branding, financial freedom, overcoming failure and creating your own opportunities.

Follow Darius: @DariusBenders

Follow Key Will Voice: @KeyWillVoice

Subscribe to @ConversationsAreKey for more conversations with the people building, creating and redefining success.

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On this episode of Conversations Are Key, Keyon Will Voice sits down with attorney, entrepreneur, author, and survivor Joi Hunt for a powerful conversation about rebuilding after one of the darkest seasons of her life.

Joi opens up about surviving a toxic marriage marked by violence, betrayal, financial abuse, and starting over with her son in a new state. She shares how she found the strength to rebuild, rediscover herself, regain financial independence, and transform her pain into purpose.

This conversation also dives into the practical side of protection including prenups, postnups, business structure, operating agreements, financial transparency, and why entrepreneurs must protect their assets before love, marriage, and business collide.

Joi also discusses her book From Broken to the Bank: Wrong Love, Right Lessons and offers keys for anyone healing, rebuilding, and learning how to win again.

Follow Joi Hunt: @joihunt_esq

Follow Conversations Are Key: @ConversationsAreKey

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What invisible experiences shape the way we lead, love and show up in the world?

In this episode of Conversations Are Key, host Key Will Voice sits down with R.R. Mebane—former executive at FedEx and the CDC to discuss his remarkable journey from growing up in the Dixie Homes Housing Project in North Memphis to leading inside Fortune 500 companies and the federal government.

Inspired by his memoir, The Ghost at the Table: A Memoir of Surviving Life, the Streets, and Corporate America, Mebane shares powerful lessons on resilience, mentorship, identity, and the invisible barriers that follow us into every room. His story is a reminder that true leadership isn't about titles, it's about lifting others as you climb.

The Ghost at the Table: A Memoir of Surviving Life, the Streets, and Corporate America is published by Kim Jones of WPPublishingllc.Com and is available wherever books are sold.

• How adversity can become your greatest advantage
• Why mentorship is a lifelong responsibility
• The importance of "sending the elevator back down"
• How to lead with purpose in corporate America and beyond
• Why every leader has a "ghost at the table"

Subscribe to Conversations Are Key for more inspiring conversations with leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, and changemakers whose stories prove that one conversation can truly change a life.

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Conversations Are Key is back with a powerful conversation featuring Ebony Porter-Ike, publicist, crisis manager, entrepreneur, executive producer, author and founder of EPI Media Group.

In this episode, Ebony breaks down the business behind being seen: why visibility without strategy can make you a target, why PR only works when the infrastructure is already in place and how public perception can directly impact money, opportunity and reputation.

She also opens up about leaving corporate America, rebuilding her confidence, learning to use being underestimated as an advantage and why Black women are under attack in today’s DEI rollback and layoff culture.

From crisis management to negotiation, from protecting your brand to knowing when to walk away from the table, this conversation is a masterclass in positioning, power, and protecting your value.

Because being visible is one thing. Being positioned is something different.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Conversations Are Key, Key Will Voice sits down with multi-platinum producer Budda Beats for a powerful conversation about the hidden side of the music industry.

Known for records with artists like Lil Baby, Quavo, NLE Choppa, and more, Budda Beats opens up about the real process behind hit records, navigating the business of music production, producer recognition, AI in creativity, scoring television, and why Atlanta continues to shape the sound of modern culture.

The conversation also explores faith, rejection, longevity, entrepreneurship, and what it truly means to be an “Invisible Architect” in entertainment.

This is a conversation for producers, artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone building something behind the scenes.

Hosted by Emmy-nominated producer/editor and voice actor Keyon Williams.

Follow:

@ConversationsAreKey

@KeyWillVoice

@budda_beats_

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Think you’re done with taxes because you already filed? Think again.

In this episode of Conversations Are Key, Key Will Voice sits down with Dr. Gwennetta Wright, CEO of Xpert Tax Service and a tax professional with over 20 years of experience, to break down how scammers are targeting people before and after filing — and why so many are losing money without realizing it.

From fake IRS emails and phone calls to AI-driven impersonation scams and fraudulent refund promises, this conversation exposes how these schemes actually work in real life — and what you need to do to protect yourself.

Dr. Wright also dives into the bigger picture: how misinformation is costing people thousands, why tax mistakes can follow you into your everyday life, and how understanding the tax system can help you protect and build your income long-term.

In this episode:

• Why tax scams don’t stop after you file
• How people are being promised fake $10K+ refunds
• The red flags that instantly signal a scam
• What the IRS will NEVER do
• What to do immediately if you get a suspicious message
• How an IP PIN can protect your identity
• The truth about taxes, income, and building wealth

If you’ve filed, filed late, or still need to — this episode could save you thousands.

Keys to the Street included.

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In this episode of Conversations Are Key, Key Will Voice sits down with Grammy-nominated songwriter and recording artist Alvin Garrett for a powerful conversation about the evolving music industry and what it means for creatives today.

From writing for artists like Kelly Rowland, Fantasia, Joe, and Ruben Studdard, to building his own lane in “inspirational soul,” Alvin shares the real truth about songwriting, rejection, and longevity.

The conversation takes a deep turn into artificial intelligence and its growing role in music, exploring whether AI is a threat or a tool, if it can truly replicate human emotion, and what happens when machines begin to compete with creators.

Alvin also breaks down why the best songs don’t always become hits, the importance of infrastructure and visibility, and how artists can maintain authenticity in a rapidly changing landscape.

In one of the most powerful moments of the episode, Alvin shares a life-changing story about his early partnership with Ruben Studdard and how a single act of obedience and belief helped set the stage for a journey that would ultimately change both of their lives.

He also discusses his latest album Talk To Her Like This, available now, featuring the standout single “Roll Slide Roll”—a feel-good record with a deeper message about relationships, communication, and connection.

Plus, Alvin opens up about his initiative The Write Life, using music as a tool for healing and transformation in underserved communities.

This episode is a must-listen for artists, creatives, and anyone navigating the future of culture, technology, and ownership.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Conversations Are Key, Key Will Voice sits down with Nino Breeze for a powerful and unfiltered conversation about transformation, responsibility, and the true cost of second chances.

Nino opens up about his journey from the streets of Florida to federal prison and the mental and emotional challenges that came with it. While many focus on the personal struggle of incarceration, he shares a deeper reality: the impact it had on his family, including navigating serious mental health challenges while he was away.

He also discusses:

• The hardest part of being incarcerated
• The emotional toll on his family
• Lessons learned from adversity
• His growth and mindset after prison
• Connecting with Rick Ross and entering the Maybach Music Group ecosystem
• Why success still requires relentless work — even with a record deal

This is more than a music interview, it’s a conversation about accountability, resilience and what it truly means to rebuild your life.

🎙 Conversations Are Key is hosted by Keyon Williams, bringing you real stories from culture, business, and entertainment.

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In this episode of Conversations Are Key, host Key Will Voice sits down with entrepreneur Sandy Sandiford, co-owner of the premium whiskey brand Amber & Opal, created in partnership with hip-hop icon Ja Rule.

Amber & Opal has quickly captured attention as one of the newest brands entering the spirits industry. In this conversation, Sandy shares the origin story behind the brand, how the partnership with Ja Rule came together, and the strategy behind building a premium whiskey company from the ground up.

Key Will and Sandy discuss the realities of launching a spirits brand, the importance of culture and storytelling in modern business, and the lessons learned while building a product designed to stand out in a competitive market.

The conversation also explores entrepreneurship, partnerships, and the mindset required to turn a bold idea into a growing lifestyle brand.

• The origin story of Amber & Opal

• How Ja Rule became involved in the brand

• Developing a premium whiskey product

• The business of launching a spirits company

• Entrepreneurship, culture, and brand building

• Lessons from building a modern lifestyle brand

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a time where work is shifting faster than most people can process, many creatives and professionals are asking the same question: what do we do now?

In this episode of Conversations Are Key, Keyon Williams sits down with Justin Burns, founder of Miestro, to unpack how artificial intelligence is impacting creative industries, business, and everyday work.

As a producer, editor, and voice actor, Key Will Voice brings a grounded, real-world perspective to the conversation — reflecting on what he’s seeing firsthand:

• Work slowing down
• Budgets shrinking
• AI tools becoming part of everyday workflows

Instead of focusing on hype, this episode focuses on clarity and application:

How can people actually adapt right now?

Where are real opportunities emerging?

And what does it look like to start using AI without being technical?

The episode also introduces a live experiment:

The 30-Day AI Challenge — documenting the process of building something from scratch using AI in real time.

This is a grounded conversation for creatives, freelancers, and working professionals trying to understand what comes next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.