Welcome to another episode of the Fast Forward Podcast, I explore the power of exposure and how it plays a pivotal role in shaping our careers and businesses. Drawing lessons from the character Curtis Taylor in "Dreamgirls", I break down how recognizing talent, managing emotions, and staying clear on your motivations can help you make smart, calculated risks. Exposure isn't about being reckless — it's about understanding when the risk is worth the reward.

Tune in to discover key strategies for navigating business exposure and taking control of your path to success. Don't forget to like, share, and comment with your thoughts on how you manage exposure in your career!

#RiskManagement #Leadership #SuccessStrategy #dreamgirls

🩵 About the Fast Forward Podcast:

Welcome to the Fast Forward Podcast ⏩, where we accelerate entrepreneurs and business leaders from dreams to action.

I'm Kalyn Romaine, a founder, organizational psychologist, and executive coach who has transformed Fortune 100 companies 📈, unicorn startups 🦄, and the largest local governments 🏙️ for more than 15 years.

💜 I share practical intellectualism with a splash of witty wisdom about business transformation, leadership development, and HR insights

🔔 Subscribe and click the notification bell for new episodes and join me every week to evolve.

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🟪 Explore the Forward Collective Group: https://4wardcollective.com

⬜️ Stay Connected:

🔹 LinkedIn: / 4wardcollective

🔹 Facebook: / 4wardcollective

🔹 Instagram: / 4wardcollective

Data can feel overwhelming, but what if you could turn it into your business’s secret weapon? In this episode, we sit down with Larry B. Carter II from the U.S. Census Bureau to demystify data and show you how to leverage it for business growth.

Larry walks us through his journey at the Census Bureau and shares insights on how small business owners can use free tools like the Census Business Builder to uncover new markets and meet community needs. He simplifies the complexities of numbers and statistics, offering practical advice on how to turn data into actionable strategies.

Whether you’re a data novice or ready to dive deep, this episode will empower you to harness the full potential of data for your business.

🔗 Tune in to learn how data can become your competitive edge. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes that fuel your business journey!

#BusinessGrowth #DataDriven #Entrepreneurship

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About Larry B. Carter II Larry B. Carter II joined the Census Bureau in 2017 supporting partnership efforts for the 2020 Census. He is currently a manger in the Office of Strategic Alliances for the Bureau. Larry is a two-time graduate of Georgia State University, he received his B.A in Education and master’s in mathematics from GSU. Helping others is one of his passions

🩵 About the Fast Forward Podcast:

Welcome to the Fast Forward Podcast ⏩, where we accelerate entrepreneurs and business leaders from dreams to action.

I'm Kalyn Romaine, a founder, organizational psychologist, and executive coach who has transformed Fortune 100 companies 📈, unicorn startups 🦄, and the largest local governments 🏙️ for more than 15 years.

💜 I share practical intellectualism with a splash of witty wisdom about business transformation, leadership development, and HR insights

🔔 Subscribe and click the notification bell for new episodes and join me every week to evolve. ---

🟪 Explore the Forward Collective Group: https://4wardcollective.com

⬜️ Stay Connected:

🔹 LinkedIn: / 4wardcollective

🔹 Facebook: / 4wardcollective

🔹 Instagram: / 4wardcollective

Welcome to another segment of Dear Lil Sis where I am joined by Casi Henderson, founder and stylist at Exclusively Casi Hair Studio. Our powerful conversation about self-acceptance and recognizing our worth beyond others' opinions is a game-changer. We all face outside judgments, but what truly matters is how we see ourselves. Casi and I unpack the idea that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made," encouraging us all to embrace our true identities with confidence. We get real about the struggles of self-doubt and comparison, and how shifting our mindset can empower us to be the best version of ourselves. #PowerOfBeauty #SelfWorth #ownyourtruth

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About Casi Henderson

Casandra “Casi” Henderson is an Atlanta-based hair salon owner and stylist. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Casi has been a stylist for over a decade. Her undeniable passion of being a stylist is eclipsed only by the personal connection she shares with her clients.

Casi’s entrepreneurial journey as founder of the Exclusively Casi Hair Studio has afforded her great opportunities to facilitate makeup artistry workshops; women’s empowerment events; and pageant styling for Miss Ohio Latino, Fashion Week Cleveland, and the collaborative hair show “The Art of The Industry”. Casi also thrives as an on-set makeup artist and fashion stylist.

Her journey as a stylist has been very rewarding. Casi’s goal is to enrich the lives of every beautiful woman who sits in her chair, whether for styling or in workshops, so they grow to their fullest potential.

🩵 About the Fast Forward Podcast:

Welcome to the Fast Forward Podcast ⏩, where we accelerate entrepreneurs and business leaders from dreams to action.

I'm Kalyn Romaine, a founder, organizational psychologist, and executive coach who has transformed Fortune 100 companies 📈, unicorn startups 🦄, and the largest local governments 🏙️ for more than 15 years.

💜 I share practical intellectualism with a splash of witty wisdom about business transformation, leadership development, and HR insights

🔔 Subscribe and click the notification bell for new episodes and join me every week to evolve. ---

🟪 Explore the Forward Collective Group: https://4wardcollective.com

⬜️ Stay Connected:

🔹 LinkedIn: / 4wardcollective

🔹 Facebook: / 4wardcollective

🔹 Instagram: / 4wardcollective

In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant and multi-talented RaQuita Weathers, my personal photographer and dear friend. We dive deep into the theme of visibility and its impact on both professional and personal growth. RaQuita takes us through her inspiring journey from dance instructor to sought-after brand photographer, all while juggling the roles of wife, mother, and creative entrepreneur.

RaQuita shares how she helps women feel seen and confident through her photography. Plus, learn the secrets behind building genuine connections and why it’s crucial for long-term success in creative industries.

Tune in for an episode packed with inspiration and actionable tips on prioritizing connection and authenticity.

#PowerOfVisibility #AuthenticConnections #CreativeJourney

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About RaQuita Weathers RaQuita Weathers is a phenomenal woman who embodies the mompreneur lifestyle. As a wife, mother of two, Professional Personal Branding & Maternity photographer and a true creative. RaQuita empowers women, especially black mothers to feel confident, sexy, and to own their “boss” in all aspects of life. With over six years experience as an entrepreneur, RaQuita has found her lane as photographer and creative director. With over 350+ clients in her tenure she’s making moves that you need to subscribe to in 2024!

🩵 About the Fast Forward Podcast:

Welcome to the Fast Forward Podcast ⏩, where we accelerate entrepreneurs and business leaders from dreams to action.

I'm Kalyn Romaine, a founder, organizational psychologist, and executive coach who has transformed Fortune 100 companies 📈, unicorn startups 🦄, and the largest local governments 🏙️ for more than 15 years.

💜 I share practical intellectualism with a splash of witty wisdom about business transformation, leadership development, and HR insights

🔔 Subscribe and click the notification bell for new episodes and join me every week to evolve.

---

🟪 Explore the Forward Collective Group: https://4wardcollective.com

⬜️ Stay Connected:

🔹 LinkedIn: / 4wardcollective

🔹 Facebook: / 4wardcollective

🔹 Instagram: / 4wardcollective

In this episode, we tackle the often misunderstood concept of power. Power isn't something to shy away from—when used effectively, it can create real impact in both your personal and professional life. I explore how leaders can better understand their power and use it to make tough decisions that ultimately lead to growth.

Drawing from my own experiences, I highlight the difference between power and influence and why relying too much on influence can actually undermine authority. I also dive into the emotional weight of leadership, including making difficult calls that affect your team but push the organization forward.

From navigating leadership dynamics to addressing survivor’s remorse and the importance of adaptability, this episode offers actionable insights on how to wield power in a way that fosters both personal growth and team success. If you're ready to rethink what power looks like in your leadership journey, hit play and let’s get into it.

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe!

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🩵 About the Fast Forward Podcast: Welcome to the Fast Forward Podcast ⏩, where we accelerate entrepreneurs and business leaders from dreams to action.

I'm Kalyn Romaine, a founder, organizational psychologist, and executive coach who has transformed Fortune 100 companies 📈, unicorn startups 🦄, and the largest local governments 🏙️ for more than 15 years.

💜 I share practical intellectualism with a splash of witty wisdom about business transformation, leadership development, and HR insights

🔔 Subscribe and click the notification bell for new episodes and join me every week to evolve.

---

🟪 Explore the Forward Collective Group: https://4wardcollective.com

⬜️ Stay Connected:

🔹 LinkedIn: / 4wardcollective

🔹 Facebook: / 4wardcollective

🔹 Instagram: / 4wardcollective

Communities hold power! In this episode, our featured guest, Ryan Wilson, CEO and co-founder of The Gathering Spot, shares his insights on the importance of vulnerability, the necessity of radical honesty, and how our experiences shape our entrepreneurial journeys. We discuss the significance of understanding our "why" as entrepreneurs and how to leverage it to navigate the inevitable challenges that come our way.

From the layers of community that influence our lives to the resilience required to overcome obstacles, this conversation is packed with valuable lessons for any leader or entrepreneur.

--- About Ryan Wilson

Ryan Wilson, the Co-founder and CEO of The Gathering Spot, is a visionary entrepreneur and recognized thought leader. His transformative approach at The Gathering Spot has redefined the art of networking, making the club a vibrant hub for collaboration, connections, and experiences. Ryan's work as a community builder and his dedication to fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity have established him as a distinguished figure in the world of business and community engagement.

A native of Atlanta, Ryan is an active participant in several Atlanta civic and community organizations. He proudly serves on the boards of The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Usher’s New Look, The Woodruff Arts Center, The Atlanta Business League, The Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce, Invest Atlanta’s Foundation, Goodwill of North Georgia, and the Board of Councilors for The Carter Center. He has previously served on the boards of Hands on Atlanta and Peace Preparatory Academy. He is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the 100 Black Men and the Atlanta Rotary Club.

Ryan graduated from Georgetown University and Georgetown University Law Center, where he proudly serves on the Board of Regents. He currently resides happily in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife and two children.

In our first episode of the Fast Forward Podcast, I discuss the why and how behind the podcast's rebranding. Peek behind the scenes of the shift towards a more balanced and passion-based career. Plus, I introduce the September & October theme: power.

Is DEI dead? Not at all! It has evolved (again) and the changes are causing a stir. Changes in name, staffing practices, and methodology don't have to mean the end of the discipline; they do reflect a need to think differently about our "why".

I share my "why" and "how" in this episode, including an expanded framework for understanding identity and a quadrant of focal points for DEI work. Let's evolve toward more effective DEI practices!

Is perfection possible in organizational culture? Or are we stuck in a cycle of toxicity? Contrary to the current narrative, there is a middle ground as cultures shift constantly. Join me in the conversation about culture's place in PCI.

I'll share how organizational development is culture's gear shift plus four areas of change that will accelerate your journey out of toxicity.

HR is more than a cheerleader, it's the engine that drives the business. In this episode, I'm talking about the real, un-sexy side of HR — and how it should evolve beyond spreadsheets and headcounts. I’ll also break down the employee lifecycle and why understanding it is crucial for both leaders and employees to build better relationships with HR.

Let’s chat about how to make HR work for the people, not just the bottom line.