About This Episode:

In this episode, Mikki sits down with Shanel Anderson, the founder of Soul City Yoga, one of the few Black woman-owned yoga studios in Massachusetts. Soul City is a vibrant, community-centered space rooted in Lynn and Malden, where inclusivity and accessibility meet movement and mindfulness. Their conversation explores Shanel’s journey from first-generation Lynn native to yoga studio owner and community leader, revealing the powerful story behind her brand’s mission to reimagine wellness for all.

About This Episode:

Episode Description: Creativity Connects with Mikki Wilson - Beyond the Brand with Jenni Stuart

Join us as we explore the remarkable journey of Jenni Stuart, our podcast sponsor and founder of Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry in Salem, MA. Together with host Mikki Wilson, we're discovering how this classically trained Pratt Institute goldsmith is reimagining what ethical luxury means in our creative economy.

In this conversation, our Creative Collective community learns alongside Jenni as she shares insights from her open workshop at 24 Front Street, where customers don't just buy jewelry—they meet the makers crafting their pieces. We're exploring how her decision to eliminate middlemen creates an entirely new model for ethical business, one where recycled gold, ethically sourced diamonds (lab-grown or natural), and independently mined gemstones tell stories of both beauty and responsibility

What emerges is a deeper understanding of how women entrepreneurs like Jenni are transforming traditional industries. From her "Willy Wonka for grown-ups" approach to custom design—where 80-90% of her work involves creating one-of-a-kind engagement rings—to her accessible permanent bracelet offerings, we're witnessing how authentic values can drive thriving businesses. Her commitment to hiring makers rather than salespeople reveals new possibilities for how we might all build enterprises that prioritize both craft and community.

This episode invites us to consider: What happens when we center transparency, ethics, and genuine human connection in luxury markets? How might our own creative ventures benefit from similar approaches? Join our exploration of these questions and more as we continue learning together about the real journeys shaping women's entrepreneurship in the Creative Collective.

In this episode, Mikki sits down with Elena Rodgers, Market Director at Creative Collective, to explore her journey from communications student to seasoned event professional. With thirteen years of event management expertise, Elena brings proven leadership to her role, including her exceptional success managing the Haunted Happenings vendor program since 2022.
Elena shares how her "throwaway degree" in communications (with a minor in justice and law administration) became essential for today's multi-platform world, and how a music festival internship in Bangor, Maine sparked her passion for event creation. Her experience includes overseeing complex site layouts accommodating up to 130 vendor spaces, excelling in multilingual community outreach, and developing robust systems for vendor relations and logistics coordination.
In their conversation, Elena reveals insights on overcoming internal voices, creating inclusive spaces where "everyone can get out and shake it off," and why presence matters more than ever. Her advice: stick together, treat each other with kindness, and don't let yourself get in your own way for too long. With deep family roots in Salem, Elena calls her current role "a dream come true" and a meaningful way to give back to her community.
Connect with Elena: Find her on LinkedIn or at Creative Collective events throughout Salem and the North Shore.
Credits: Hosted by Mikki Wilson, founder of Dot Connector Consulting

Produced by Randyll Collum for Peabody TV (peabodytv.org)

A Creative Collective podcast (creativecollectivema.com)

Sponsored by Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry

Creativity Connects with Mikki Wilson is a Creative Collective podcast that goes beyond the brand and into the authentic journeys of women entrepreneurs who are members of the Creative Collective. Each episode, host Mikki Wilson sits down with a woman business owner from the Creative Collective community to explore her unique path, what drives her, and where she's headed next. This series illuminates the moments, motivations, and messy middles that shape women's experiences as creators and business leaders in the creative economy. Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry supports this podcast series.

In this inaugural episode, Mikki sits down with Daybar Bugler, the heart and founder behind EDX Provisions, a thoughtfully curated gourmet market experience redefining food culture and community connection on the North Shore.

As New England's first Black-owned cheese shop, EDX Provisions was established in 2022 with a simple yet powerful mission: "Cheese for All." The business combines Daybar's experience as a gourmet food buyer and deep love for cheese with her husband Phil's background as a sous chef and restaurant operator.

Their conversation takes us through Daybar's unexpected journey from fashion design aspirations to becoming one of the few Black women-owned cheese and charcuterie shops in the country. With refreshing candor, Daybar shares how her passion for wine and cheese developed during the pandemic, eventually leading her to open her own gourmet shop in Peabody.

Beyond the polished social media presence, Daybar reveals the beautifully imperfect reality of entrepreneurship—posting content during midnight breastfeeding sessions, navigating the challenges of a small business, and finding unexpected community support along the way.

Mikki Wilson is your host, a team member of Creative Collective and the founder of Dot Connector Consulting, where she works with women to amplify their value, voice, and visibility with intention. Known as "the Dot Connector," Mikki brings women together, creates spaces for real conversation, and helps them build meaningful relationships that move their work forward.

Daybar Bugler is the founder of EDX Provisions, a gourmet market in Peabody where her work lives at the intersection of hospitality, heritage, and intentional living. Find her in-store on Fridays (4-7pm) and weekends (10am-2pm), or connect with her on social media and LinkedIn.

Our Story:

After years of hosting a local maker podcast, Daybar and Phil found inspiration in promoting restaurants and entrepreneurs on their Instagram page. In 2022, they established a business on Main Street in Peabody. With Daybar's experience as a gourmet food buyer, her deep love for cheese, and Phil's background as a sous chef and restaurant operator, they were determined to open a shop focused on gourmet food and unique experiences.

Their mission is simple: "Cheese for All." As New England's first Black-owned cheese shop, EDX Provisions aims to create a genuinely inclusive shop that offers something for everyone to love. They understand what it feels like to face exclusion from opportunities such as access to capital, grants, and trusted suppliers. This deep understanding motivates them to foster an environment where "the secret ingredient is always cheese," inviting everyone to partake.

The "Cheese for All" initiative ensures that their in-store Charcuterie line, platters, and grazing tables can accommodate virtually all allergies and dietary restrictions. Their retail products, including cheese, offer vegan, nut-free, or gluten-free options. They want everyone to feel accommodated and considered when visiting the shop.

When you visit EDX Provisions for cheese, charcuterie, or grilled cheese on the weekends, expect engaging conversations and a welcoming atmosphere from Daybar, Phil, Philip, & Zuri.

Visit EDX Provisions:

About Creative Collective: Creative Collective is a business support program that provides modern resources, strategy, and connections for small businesses and creators, because building something meaningful doesn't mean you have to do it alone. Learn more at creativecollectivema.com.

About Dot Connector Consulting: Dot Connector Consulting helps women own their value, amplify their voice, and move with intention—turning clarity into connection, and connection into opportunity. Learn more at https://dotconnectorconsulting.com/.

About Peabody TV: This podcast is produced by Randyll Collum for Peabody TV, your community media center serving the residents and businesses of Peabody. Learn more at https://peabodytv.org/.

If something in today's conversation resonated with you personally, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. These stories are meant to move and connect us all.

Podcast produced by Randyll Collum for Peabody TV.