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In this episode of Founder Fumbles, we sit down with Lorrena Black — Founder of SheServed LLC, U.S. Army Veteran, keynote speaker, leadership coach, facilitator, wife, mother, and Christian leader — to explore how emotional intelligence, identity-driven leadership, and purpose can transform both your business and your life.

Lorrena shares her journey from military service to entrepreneurship, revealing the lessons she's learned while helping leaders rise differently. We dive into the challenges of building a business, overcoming self-doubt, staying rooted in your purpose, and developing the leadership skills needed to create lasting impact.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or emerging leader, this conversation offers practical insights on resilience, personal growth, and leading with authenticity.

🔥 In this episode:

Lorrena's journey from the U.S. Army to entrepreneurship
The story behind SheServed LLC
What emotional intelligence means for leaders
Identity-driven growth and why it matters
Helping leaders rise differently
The biggest challenges she's faced as a founder
Lessons learned throughout her entrepreneurial journey
How she stays motivated during difficult seasons
Daily routines that help her lead with intention
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders
What's next for Lorrena and SheServed LLC

📖 Connect with Lorrena Black:

🌐 Website: https://www.sheserved.co/

📧 Email: [email protected]

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorrenablack/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorrenablack/

🎙️ Podcast: Founder Fumbles
Hosted by: Dahmari Taplin

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In this episode of Founder Fumbles, we sit down with Jerome Cooper — Founder of GRIND Enterprises, Co-Founder of the Oakland Business Alliance, Franchise Owner & Regional Vice President with Primerica Financial Services Investments & Insurances, church youth leader, husband, and father — to explore the realities of building wealth, entrepreneurship, financial education, and creating a lasting impact in the community.


From helping families understand financial strategies to building multiple businesses and leadership roles, Jerome shares the lessons, challenges, and mindset shifts that shaped his entrepreneurial journey. We dive into the importance of financial literacy, earning trust in business, overcoming obstacles as a founder, and staying committed to your purpose while building something meaningful.

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In this episode of Founder Fumbles, we sit down with Mario Wilcox — Founder of Wilcox Wellness, Licensed Master Social Worker, Mental Health Consultant, Real Estate Investor, and Foster Care Alumni — to explore the intersection of mental health, entrepreneurship, real estate, and purpose-driven leadership.

Mario shares how his life experiences inspired him to build a business dedicated to helping others while navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. We dive into the realities of building a mission-driven company, overcoming founder setbacks, staying resilient during difficult seasons, and why prioritizing mental health is essential for long-term success.

🔥 In this episode:

The story behind Wilcox Wellness
Mario's journey from foster care to entrepreneurship
What mental health means to him
His approach to real estate investing
The biggest challenges he's faced as a founder
The business skills he's still developing
How he stays motivated through difficult seasons
Daily habits and routines that keep him focused
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
What success looks like for Mario this year
What's next for Mario and Wilcox Wellness

📖 Connect with Mario Wilcox:
🌐 Website: https://wilcoxwellness.co/
📧 Email: [email protected]
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilcox.wellness/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-wilcox-lmsw-6080b2332/

🎙️ Podcast: Founder Fumbles
Hosted by Dahmari Taplin

🚀 Grab the Founder Fumbles Starter Kit:
https://ff-starter-kit.sender.site/

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In this episode of Founder Fumbles, we sit down with Geralyn Gaines — Founder of Keeping It G, keynote speaker, HR consultant, professional coach, and corporate leader — to explore the power of self-advocacy, transformational leadership, and building a purpose-driven business while navigating a successful corporate career. 

From working at Ford Motor Company to empowering professionals through coaching and speaking engagements, Geralyn shares the lessons, challenges, and mindset shifts that helped shape her entrepreneurial journey. We dive into the realities of balancing a growing business with a demanding career, overcoming obstacles as a founder, and staying committed to your purpose even when things get tough. 

🔥 In this episode: 

The story behind Keeping It G What transformational speaking really means How Geralyn balances Ford Motor Company and entrepreneurship The biggest challenges she's faced as a founder Why self-advocacy is a critical leadership skill Lessons learned from building a purpose-driven business Daily habits and routines that keep her focused Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders What keeps her motivated during difficult seasons 

What's next for Geralyn and Keeping It G 

📖 Connect with Geralyn Gaines: 

🌐 Website: 

https://www.geralyngaines.com/ 

📸 Instagram:

 https://www.instagram.com/geralyngaineskeepingitg/ 

💼 LinkedIn:

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/geralyn-gaines/ 

🎙️ Podcast: Founder Fumbles Hosted by Dahmari Taplin 

🚀 Grab the Founder Fumbles Starter Kit: 

https://ff-starter-kit.sender.site/

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In this episode of Founder Fumbles, we sit down with Geralyn Gaines — Founder of Keeping It G, keynote speaker, HR consultant, professional coach, and corporate leader — to explore the power of self-advocacy, transformational leadership, and building a purpose-driven business while navigating a successful corporate career.

From working at Ford Motor Company to empowering professionals through coaching and speaking engagements, Geralyn shares the lessons, challenges, and mindset shifts that helped shape her entrepreneurial journey. We dive into the realities of balancing a growing business with a demanding career, overcoming obstacles as a founder, and staying committed to your purpose even when things get tough.

🔥 In this episode:

The story behind Keeping It G
What transformational speaking really means
How Geralyn balances Ford Motor Company and entrepreneurship
The biggest challenges she's faced as a founder
Why self-advocacy is a critical leadership skill
Lessons learned from building a purpose-driven business
Daily habits and routines that keep her focused
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders
What keeps her motivated during difficult seasons
What's next for Geralyn and Keeping It G

📖 Connect with Geralyn Gaines:

🌐 Website: https://www.geralyngaines.com/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geralyngaineskeepingitg/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geralyn-gaines/

🎙️ Podcast: Founder Fumbles
Hosted by Dahmari Taplin

🚀 Grab the Founder Fumbles Starter Kit:
https://ff-starter-kit.sender.site/

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What does it really take to build something that matters?

In this episode of Founder Fumbles, Dahmari Taplin sits down with Samuel Ogah — AI Engineer, founder of ZICloud Tech, and creator of the African Innovation and Cultural Center — for a real conversation about purpose, pressure, and persistence in entrepreneurship.

Sam’s journey is rooted in impact. He’s not just building businesses — he’s building systems designed to close opportunity gaps through education, innovation, and automation. But like every founder, the path hasn’t been easy.

In this episode, we go beyond surface-level wins and dive into the real experience of building — the challenges, the self-doubt, the lessons, and the growth that comes with it.

We talk about how Sam got started, the obstacles he’s faced, and what’s helped him stay consistent even when things felt uncertain. From developing new skills to staying mentally locked in, this conversation highlights what it actually takes to keep going.

If you’re an entrepreneur navigating your own journey — trying to stay motivated, build something meaningful, and figure it out along the way — this episode will give you both perspective and fuel.

🎧 Tap in and hear the real story behind the mission.

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Buzzsprout Description:
In Episode 16 of Founder Fumbles, Dahmari Taplin sits down with Percy White Jr.—media director, minister, and author of Unshaken.

Percy shares his journey through infertility, how it challenged his identity as a man and believer, and what it means to trust God even when prayers go unanswered.

This episode is for anyone navigating pressure, uncertainty, or a season where faith feels stretched.

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Welcome back to Founder Fumbles — where we dig deep into real startup struggles and comeback strategies.

In this episode, host Dahmari Taplin sits down with Kyle Colley, Cofounder of Bookum, to talk about building a startup rooted in storytelling, community, and connection. From the grind of entrepreneurship to lessons learned along the way, this episode is packed with real insight for founders at every stage.

Meet the Guest: Kyle Colley
Cofounder of Bookum
Access Mode Alumni
Host of the Bookum Nook Show
Building tech that sparks book-driven conversations

What We Cover
The reality of the startup grind
Kyle’s experience with Access Mode
Building and growing Bookum
The power of books for entrepreneurs
Biggest challenges as a founder
Motivation, discipline, and mindset
Advice for new entrepreneurs

Recommended for:

Entrepreneurs, founders, creatives, and anyone trying to turn an idea into a real business.

Connect with Kyle Colley

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-colley-a8306212b/
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/bookum_app/

Connect with Dahmari Taplin & Ziga

🌐 Website: https://ziga.app

📱 Instagram: @taplino
🎙 Podcast: ziga.app/podcast
💼 Find your cofounder: https://ziga.app

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If you're building something and need the right people around you, check out Ziga — the platform designed to help you find your cofounder and grow your network.

🔔 Don’t Forget

Subscribe, like, and share this with a fellow founder.
Your support helps us keep telling real startup stories.

Peace ✌🏾 — and keep building.

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What does it really take to build multiple streams of income and keep them running?

In this episode of Founder Fumbles, I sit down with Crystal B, Founder & CEO of Novamultiverse, to break down the real story behind being a serial entrepreneur. From navigating uncertainty to managing multiple businesses, Crystal shares the raw truth about what it takes to build, grow, and sustain success.

We dive into:

•  The reality of juggling multiple income streams 
•  Her biggest challenges as a serial entrepreneur 
•  How she rebuilt during uncertain times 
•  The vision behind Novamultiverse 
•  Tools, routines, and strategies that keep her locked in 
•  Advice for entrepreneurs trying to quit their 9–5 

If you're trying to turn your side hustle into your main income, this episode is for you.

🎙 Founder Fumbles is all about real startup struggles and comeback strategies—no fluff, just game.

🔗 Connect with Crystal B:
🌐 Novamultiverse: https://www.novamultiverse.com/
📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/novaslayvibes

🚀 Want to grow your network or find your next cofounder?
Check out Ziga.app – where entrepreneurs connect, collaborate, and build.

📢 Don’t forget to:
👍 Like
💬 Comment your biggest takeaway
🔁 Share with a founder
🔔 Subscribe for more real entrepreneur stories

#FounderFumbles #Entrepreneurship #MultipleIncomeStreams #StartupLife #BusinessGrowth #SideHustleToFullTime #Novamultiverse

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Welcome back to Founder Fumbles 🎙️ where real startup struggles meet real comeback stories.

In this episode, Dahmari Taplin sits down with Bibobra Alabrah, a Principal Consultant at Prexiso and an emerging force in data analytics and scalable systems. From his journey into tech to building high-performing infrastructures, Bibo breaks down the mindset, challenges, and lessons behind his growth as a founder.

We dive into the startup grind, overcoming doubt, finding purpose, and what it really takes to stay in the game when things get tough. If you’re building something from the ground up or thinking about making the leap—this one’s for you.

Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and leave a review if this episode hits home.

Connect with Bibo:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alabrahbibobra/

Support the show!: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2517890/support

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