Entrepreneurial Appetite

Entrepreneurial Appetite: 2025 Year in Review - Your Top 5 Episodes

As we close out an incredible Season 6, I'm reflecting on the conversations that moved you most. From franchise ownership to electric vehicles, fatherhood to family wealth, and global Black history—this season has been a journey of transformation and possibility.

In this special episode, I'm counting down the five most downloaded conversations of the year, each one a blueprint for building community, promoting intellectualism, and supporting Black businesses.

#5: Dr. Tamara J. Walker - Scholar and author of Beyond the Shores: A History of African Americans Abroad challenges us to see travel as a tool for reimagining Black identity and building global consciousness.

#4: LaVaisha Davis - Wealth advisor and founder of L Wess Advisors reframes wealth building around family as your economic unit, revealing that it's not about what you make—it's about what you plan.

#3: Shawn Rhoder - Entrepreneur and father shares how being present for his son became his greatest success story, redefining what it means to build generational wealth.

#2: Mike Colias - Automotive journalist and author of Inevitable breaks down the electric vehicle revolution and what it means for American innovation, featuring special guest host Shawn Wilson.

#1: Darren Vanderhall - Former corporate executive turned franchise owner explains why leaving 25 years at Coca-Cola to own a Signarama franchise was the best decision for his family's future.

Each conversation offers insights, inspiration, and actionable wisdom for Black entrepreneurs, intellectuals, and dreamers ready to write their own success stories.

My challenge to you: Pick your favorite episode and share it with six people. Let's grow this community together as we head into Season 7.

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In this episode of Entrepreneurial Appetite, we speak with Mike Colias, author of InEVitable: Inside the Messy, Unstoppable Transition to Electric Vehicles, and guest co-host Shawn Wilson, a business development leader in EV infrastructure. From the streets of Detroit to the battery factories of China, we explore what’s shaping the future of electric mobility, why legacy automakers fell behind, and what this transformation means for entrepreneurs and communities of color.

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Join us for a profound discussion with Cliff Goins IV—author, entrepreneur, and wealth strategist—as we examine the real costs and collective solutions to America’s racial wealth gap. With insights from his book, Minding the Wealth Gap, Cliff lays out practical steps for becoming a “gap closer,” no matter your income, background, or beliefs about capitalism. With guest host Lloyd Kuykendoll, the conversation is an honest exploration of history, policy, investment, and community, all rooted in Black economic empowerment.

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In this episode of Entrepreneurial Appetite, guest host and artist Porschia Danielle sits down with Maria Williams, the visionary founder of In the Eye of the Beholder Black Art Gallery and the Art of Four initiative. Maria shares how a single news segment sparked her mission to amplify the voices of Black artists in San Antonio—a city that lacked a dedicated Black art gallery.

What began as a community-driven initiative to empower four artists evolved into a full-fledged gallery space committed to equity, impact, and legacy. Maria opens up about the challenges of sustaining an art business, the fluctuating nature of the art market, and why representation in galleries matters just as much as in museums.

Listeners will gain insight into how art collecting, artist support, and community engagement form an ecosystem of cultural resilience—and how Maria is working to pass the baton to the next generation of Black cultural leaders.

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Ever wondered how military skills translate into successful entrepreneurship? Meet Benjamin Pratt, the brains behind TapRack Social, who is joined by fellow veteran and business partner Aubrey Lewis. Together, they’ve crafted an innovative entertainment venue in San Antonio, combining a bar, gun range, and golf range, all enhanced with top-tier tech. Get insights into how Benjamin's Air Force background laid the groundwork for this venture, empowering him with problem-solving prowess and communication finesse that are now pivotal in his entrepreneurial journey.

Explore the intriguing concept of TapRack Social, where the buzz of a cocktail bar meets the thrill of a high-tech laser shooting experience in a Topgolf-like setting. This episode unveils the behind-the-scenes strategies that make this tech-forward venue a success, spotlighting the strategic location choices and dynamic partnerships. Benjamin shares how mastermind groups and mentorship are instrumental in navigating the entrepreneurial landscape, offering listeners a glimpse into how veterans can harness their unique skills for impactful community investments and business growth.

We wrap up our conversation with a discussion on balancing business with family life, particularly for veterans stepping into entrepreneurship. Benjamin opens up about the importance of a supportive family, making time for his son, and how veterans can play a pivotal role in economic development through strategic investments. To inspire your entrepreneurial spirit, we also touch upon literary gems like "Think and Grow Rich" and "The Alchemist" that offer profound insights. Join us in this engaging episode for a mix of personal stories, strategic insights, and inspiration for veterans looking to make their mark in the business world.

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What drives Black Americans to seek opportunities beyond U.S. borders, and what do they discover about themselves when they leave? Dr. Tamara Walker's groundbreaking book "Beyond the Shores: A History of African Americans Abroad" takes us on a global journey spanning a century of Black travel experiences that shaped both individual lives and international perceptions of race and identity.

Growing up in Colorado with a grandfather who served in the military overseas, Dr. Walker was surrounded by mementos from around the world that sparked her curiosity about travel from an early age. Her own formative experiences studying abroad in Mexico, France, and Argentina - where she confronted complicated racial dynamics as locals struggled to place her Black identity in their European-centered worldview - ultimately led her to pursue Latin American history and explore the broader story of African Americans abroad.

Unlike previous accounts that focus primarily on famous expatriates in Paris, Walker's narrative spans continents and decades, introducing us to both celebrated and ordinary Black travelers whose stories illuminate larger historical patterns. We meet Florence Mills navigating 1920s London and Paris, Black workers finding unprecedented opportunities in Soviet factories during the 1930s, and Herman DeBose, recruited to the Peace Corps from North Carolina A&T during the height of the Cold War, when America desperately needed Black representatives abroad to counter Soviet criticism of U.S. racial inequality.

Particularly moving are the post-WWII stories of figures like Mabel Grammer, who found purpose helping "Brown Babies" - children of Black American soldiers and German women - find adoptive families in the United States. Through these interconnected narratives, Walker reveals how African Americans abroad navigated the complex reality that their American identity sometimes afforded them privileges denied to local Black populations, especially in colonial contexts.

As global nationalism and xenophobia rise today, Walker's work raises profound questions about whether leaving America represents an escape from racism or simply an encounter with different forms of discrimination. Yet these stories ultimately reveal how generations of African Americans have created meaningful lives and legacies across the globe, expanding our understanding of what it means to be both Black and American on the world stage.

Subscribe to Entrepreneurial Appetite and join our Patreon community to support our work bringing these vital conversations to life. Visit The Wandering Scholar nonprofit to learn how Dr. Walker is making international education accessible to low-income students, continuing the legacy of global connection she documents so beautifully.

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Dr. Andre Perry brings a revolutionary approach to understanding Black economic power through his groundbreaking research at the Brookings Institution. Sharing his personal journey from being raised by a neighbor in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, to becoming a Senior Fellow at America's preeminent think tank, Perry offers a masterclass in how data can illuminate pathways to Black community thriving.

The conversation centers around Perry's innovative Black Progress Index, which uses sophisticated machine learning algorithms to identify the factors that most significantly impact life expectancy in Black communities nationwide. What makes this approach revolutionary is Perry's deliberate choice to measure Black communities against other Black communities—not white ones—revealing "Black Blue Zones" where life expectancy exceeds statistical predictions.

Perry's definition of power as "the ability to live your full life" cuts through symbolic victories to focus on tangible factors that extend and improve Black lives: homeownership, income levels, business ownership, and community composition. His research demonstrates that thriving Black communities exist across diverse political landscapes, challenging assumptions about where and how Black success can flourish.

Perhaps most provocatively, Perry dismantles popular discourse around Black relationships by showing how structural factors shape personal outcomes. "Healthy communities build healthy relationships," he argues, redirecting energy from gender-based blame toward addressing systems that extract wealth and opportunity. His approach to reparations similarly focuses on practical, local-level initiatives, particularly around environmental justice issues where causation and harm are clearest.

Throughout our discussion, Perry weaves together rigorous statistical analysis with cultural touchpoints and historical context, creating a compelling roadmap for Black community development. Rather than accepting DEI initiatives as end goals, he pushes for mainstream resource access and institutional reform. This conversation offers essential insights for anyone committed to understanding and advancing Black economic power in America today.

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Timothy Cole's journey from Brenham, Texas, to becoming a standout student-athlete at UT Austin is a tale of resilience, ambition, and the transformative power of mentorship. As he recounts his story against the backdrop of the historic hiring of Charlie Strong, UT Austin's first Black head coach, Timothy reveals how his passion for football and support from his father shaped his early life. His insights shed light on the unique challenges faced by student-athletes both on and off the field, emphasizing the importance of community support and personal growth as he navigated through pivotal moments in his academic and athletic career.

Transitioning from sports to academia, Timothy's path took an unexpected turn as he embraced entrepreneurship during his time at UT. With a keen interest in blending his experiences with innovation, he and his fellow former UT football players ventured into the creation of a protein donut company. This chapter of his journey highlights the power of seizing opportunities beyond the gridiron, leveraging skills learned both in the classroom and on the field to forge a new path in business. His story is a dynamic example of the potential for athletes to redefine their futures by embracing their diverse interests and talents.

As Timothy offers a glimpse into the NIL era and its implications for current student-athletes, he underscores the importance of building a strong foundation for life beyond sports. From the creative inspiration found in literature to the significance of fostering a personal identity outside of athletics, he encourages others to capitalize on their unique opportunities. By sharing his personal superpower of resilience and determination, Timothy inspires listeners to harness their individuality to create meaningful and sustainable futures, proving that there's more to an athlete's journey than the game itself.

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"Your family is your God given guarantee to build wealth," declares LaVaisha Davis in this illuminating conversation about transforming how we think about family finances. As founder of Ell Wess Advisors, Davis brings a revolutionary perspective to wealth building that positions family relationships at the center of financial planning rather than as an afterthought.

The smallest decisions made around your dinner table today could shape your family's financial trajectory for generations. Davis reveals how she and her husband mathematically planned their first business by calculating exactly what their dream lifestyle would cost—including raising four children—and then working backward to determine what kind of enterprise could generate that revenue. This methodical approach to wealth creation stands in stark contrast to the passion-first mindset that leaves many entrepreneurs financially vulnerable.

What truly sets Davis's philosophy apart is the "Family CEO Mindset" that treats relatives as strategic assets with specific roles in a collective wealth-building enterprise. Rather than allowing children to choose arbitrary career paths, Davis advocates for guiding them toward professions that fill strategic gaps in the family's collective knowledge and influence. In her own household, she's intentionally cultivating one daughter for political power—recognizing that political influence represents a form of capital that traditional financial planning overlooks.

The wisdom shared in this episode emerged from profound personal loss when Davis's brother died unexpectedly, leaving their mother without the financial resources to properly handle funeral arrangements. This tragedy became the catalyst for Davis's deep study of how wealthy families structure their affairs to handle both expected and unexpected life events without financial devastation. She transformed this painful experience into a wealth management approach that makes sophisticated financial planning accessible to families who aren't ultra-wealthy through what she calls the "virtual family office."

Ready to transform how you think about your family's financial future? This conversation will equip you with both the mindset shift and practical first steps to begin building wealth that truly lasts across generations.

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Reginald 'Reggie' Manning, the innovative CEO of Vista Data, joins us for an insightful chat about his remarkable journey from North Carolina to becoming a trailblazer in AI-enhanced education. With a unique background in special education and business, Reggie shares his inspiring path and how his passion for teaching led him to create AI solutions that bridge educational gaps, particularly those intensified by the pandemic. Reggie's transition from a special education teacher to a successful entrepreneur is filled with lessons on adaptability and perseverance, offering valuable insights into how technology can transform education for marginalized communities.

The episode takes a fascinating turn as we explore the power of AI in revolutionizing English language arts, making learning both engaging and effective. Reggie discusses how AI tools can personalize education by incorporating students' interests, consequently fostering a more inclusive and tech-savvy learning environment. We delve into the significance of tech literacy, highlighting how skills like critical thinking and data interpretation are essential for students to thrive in today's digital world. Reggie's approach is all about enhancing human interaction with AI, ensuring that it supports cognitive development instead of replacing critical thinking.

Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, Reggie embodies the spirit of community building and representation, particularly as a Black male educator and business leader. He shares anecdotes from his teaching days and the emotional weight of being a role model, while emphasizing the importance of addressing systemic issues within education. This conversation also touches on the power of networking and partnerships, with Reggie reflecting on his own experiences of building supportive networks and engaging in local community activities. This episode is a testament to the importance of creating opportunities and fostering growth through collaboration and community engagement.

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