Mission CTRL

This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down with Karen Roach, Founder and Executive Producer of K Starr Kollective, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, and finding the courage to build something of your own.

Together, they explore Karen’s journey through different industries, the failures and unexpected detours that shaped her path, and how those experiences ultimately helped her discover her purpose. Karen shares why stepping outside of her comfort zone was necessary, how she learned to recognize her strengths (and ask for help where necessary), and why failure can often be the first step toward something great.

Karen also introduces K Starr Kollective, a new venture focused on creating interactive spaces and experiences that bring people together while giving artists of all kinds an opportunity to showcase their work, tell their stories, connect with others, and build their businesses.

This episode offers plenty of insight and inspiration about resilience, purpose, taking risks, and turning life's unexpected detours into new opportunities. Tune in to hear Karen's story, and discover how she's turning her passion for connecting people into a growing venture designed to celebrate artists, foster human connection, and create experiences that go beyond the ordinary.

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Find full episodes of Mission CTRL on Anchor, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website.

Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.

Subscribe for more weekly branding and entrepreneurial content here! To learn more about Peralta Design's work visit peraltadesign.com.

#welaunchbrands #launchyourbrand #BrandU #missionctrl #mctrl #digitalagency #mbeagency #mbe #digital #branding #marketing #web #creative #contentcreator #contentstrategy #marketingstrategy #leadership #leader #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurial #startup #startups #business #businessowner #businesstips #scalingyourbusiness #smallbusiness #w2 #fulltime #9to5 #office #officelife #corporate #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #businesspodcast #lifestory #lifestories #personalstory #personalstories

This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down with Dominika Smaga, Founder of Rehydrate IV Infusion, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, wellness, self-care, and building a business around helping others.

Together, they explore the realities of entrepreneurship, the importance of slowing down and listening to your body, and why recovery is just as important as the work you put in. Dominika also shares how her original vision for Rehydrate evolved into a broader wellness experience, from IV infusions and red light therapy, to saunas and other supportive services!

Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, healthcare professional, or someone trying to find a better balance between work and taking care of yourself, this episode offers plenty of insight, inspiration, and reminders about the importance of making time for yourself.

Tune in to hear Dominika's story and discover how she turned her experience in healthcare into a growing business built around wellness, connection, and helping people feel their best.

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Find full episodes of Mission CTRL on Anchor, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website.

Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.

Subscribe for more weekly branding and entrepreneurial content here! To learn more about Peralta Design's work visit peraltadesign.com.

#welaunchbrands #launchyourbrand #BrandU #missionctrl #mctrl #digitalagency #mbeagency #mbe #digital #branding #marketing #web #creative #contentcreator #contentstrategy #marketingstrategy #leadership #leader #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurial #startup #startups #business #businessowner #businesstips #scalingyourbusiness #smallbusiness #w2 #fulltime #9to5 #office #officelife #corporate #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #businesspodcast #lifestory #lifestories #personalstory #personalstories

This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down with legendary artist and art educator Curtis Grayson III for a conversation about creativity, entrepreneurship, and turning your passion into a business.
Curtis shares his journey from discovering his love for art at a young age to building a career that extends far beyond the canvas. Along the way, he’s faced rejection, unexpected opportunities, and important lessons that helped shape both his work and his approach to business.
Together, they explore what it takes to build a brand as a creative, the importance of understanding the business behind your passion, and how Curtis continues to find new ways to bring his art to life.
Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or someone pursuing a passion of your own, this episode is full of inspiration, lessons, and a reminder that sometimes the biggest opportunities come from believing in your vision - even when others don't.
Tune in to hear Curtis's story and discover how he turned his creativity into a lifelong career, business, and brand.

This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down with Hiram Gandia Torres, owner of Pillar Solutions, for a powerful conversation about trust, integrity, entrepreneurship, and what it really means to serve your clients.

In an industry where confusion can often be exploited, Hiram has built Pillar Solutions around a different philosophy: education, transparency, and doing what's right for the client. From helping seniors navigate Medicare, to supporting businesses with their employee benefits, his mission is simple - build trust and create long-term relationships rather than simply make a sale.

Together, they explore the turning points that changed Hiram's path, including his transition from teaching into insurance, the lessons he learned from failed business ventures, and how his experiences helping Spanish-speaking families navigate insurance ultimately inspired the creation of Pillar Solutions.

The conversation also dives into why Hiram believes “trust is the product,” how Pillar Solutions is working to become a leading bilingual insurance brokerage, and why serving clients holistically means going beyond simply selling a policy.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, insurance professional, or someone trying to build a business with purpose, this episode is a reminder that success isn't just about what you sell - it's about how you serve, the relationships you build, and the integrity you bring to the table. Tune in to hear Hiram's story and learn why, in business and in life, always operate with integrity.

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Find full episodes of Mission CTRL on Anchor, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website.

Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.

Subscribe for more weekly branding and entrepreneurial content here! To learn more about Peralta Design's work visit peraltadesign.com.

#welaunchbrands #launchyourbrand #BrandU #missionctrl #mctrl #digitalagency #mbeagency #mbe #digital #branding #marketing #web #creative #contentcreator #contentstrategy #marketingstrategy #leadership #leader #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurial #startup #startups #business #businessowner #businesstips #scalingyourbusiness #smallbusiness #w2 #fulltime #9to5 #office #officelife #corporate #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #businesspodcast #lifestory #lifestories #personalstory #personalstories

This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon and Kevin welcome former NBA player Ta'Quan Zimmerman, founder of Be a Baller, Not a Bully, along with his brother and COO, Duval Zimmerman, for a powerful conversation about resilience, purpose, and the mindset that changed everything.

Before playing professionally and spending time with the Utah Jazz organization, Ta'Quan faced bullying, personal loss, and repeated rejection - including being cut from his middle school basketball team three years in a row. So what changed?

Together, they explore the habits that separate dreamers from achievers, why mental toughness matters more than talent, and how life's toughest moments can become the foundation for something much bigger.

The conversation also dives into the rise of the Elite 20 Invitational, taking place at Shelton High School in Shelton, Connecticut. This is one of the nation's premier high school basketball showcases and it's helping spread a message that reaches far beyond the basketball court. Don't miss this year's event on August 11, streaming live on the NBA App!

Whether you're an entrepreneur, athlete, parent, coach, or simply chasing a goal of your own, this episode is a reminder that your greatest setback might just become your greatest strength.

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Find full episodes of Mission CTRL on Anchor, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website.

Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.

Subscribe for more weekly branding and entrepreneurial content here! To learn more about Peralta Design's work visit peraltadesign.com.

#welaunchbrands #launchyourbrand #BrandU #missionctrl #mctrl #digitalagency #mbeagency #mbe #digital #branding #marketing #web #creative #contentcreator #contentstrategy #marketingstrategy #leadership #leader #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurial #startup #startups #business #businessowner #businesstips #scalingyourbusiness #smallbusiness #w2 #fulltime #9to5 #office #officelife #corporate #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #businesspodcast #lifestory #lifestories #personalstory #personalstories

This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon Peralta and Jorge Pezo-Candelario welcome James Worthy, AI product developer and fellow podcaster, for a timely conversation about the growing AI consumer backlash - and what it means for businesses trying to stand out.

As AI-generated content becomes easier to create, more brands are beginning to look and sound the same. The discussion explores the rise of AI fatigue, why authenticity is becoming more valuable than ever, and where businesses should draw the line between automation and human creativity. James offers the perspective of someone building AI products every day, while Ramon and Jorge examine how strategy, design, and brand identity continue to separate memorable businesses from forgettable ones.

Together, they discuss the overuse of AI in marketing, the future of creative work, evolving customer expectations, and why the strongest brands will be the ones that use AI as a tool - not a substitute for original thinking.

If you're a business owner, marketer, designer, or entrepreneur navigating the AI era, this episode will challenge the way you think about branding, creativity, and what it really takes to stand out.

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Find full episodes of Mission CTRL on Anchor, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website.

Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.

Subscribe for more weekly branding and entrepreneurial content here! To learn more about Peralta Design's work visit peraltadesign.com.

#welaunchbrands #launchyourbrand #BrandU #missionctrl #mctrl #digitalagency #mbeagency #mbe #digital #branding #marketing #web #creative #contentcreator #contentstrategy #marketingstrategy #leadership #leader #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurial #startup #startups #business #businessowner #businesstips #scalingyourbusiness #smallbusiness #w2 #fulltime #9to5 #office #officelife #corporate #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #businesspodcast #lifestory #lifestories #personalstory #personalstories

This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon Peralta and members of the Peralta Design Flight Crew come together for a special milestone celebration - Episode 200.
What began as an idea to amplify great stories, support entrepreneurs, and share meaningful conversations has grown into a platform that has featured business leaders, community changemakers, creatives, and innovators from across Connecticut and beyond.
Throughout the episode, Ramon, Jorge, Kevin, Kaed, Maggie, Kaitlyn, Amanda, and Matt reflect on the early days of the podcast, memorable guests and moments, the evolution of the show's format, and the lessons learned from producing 200 episodes.
The conversation explores storytelling, content creation, community impact, and the importance of creating spaces where authentic voices can be heard. Along the way, the team shares behind-the-scenes insights, favorite memories, and their vision for the future of Mission CTRL.
Whether you've been listening since the beginning or are discovering the podcast for the first time, this special episode celebrates the power of conversation, the value of sharing stories, and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.

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Find full episodes of Mission CTRL on Anchor, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website.

Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.

Subscribe for more weekly branding and entrepreneurial content here! To learn more about Peralta Design's work visit peraltadesign.com.

#welaunchbrands #launchyourbrand #BrandU #missionctrl #mctrl #digitalagency #mbeagency #mbe #digital #branding #marketing #web #creative #contentcreator #contentstrategy #marketingstrategy #leadership #leader #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurial #startup #startups #business #businessowner #businesstips #scalingyourbusiness #smallbusiness #w2 #fulltime #9to5 #office #officelife #corporate #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #businesspodcast #lifestory #lifestories #personalstory #personalstories

This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down with Christopher Crespo and Cesar "C.J." Vertiz, co-founders of ADUKO LLC, to discuss a housing trend that could change the way homeowners think about their property.

What started as a conversation between a mortgage professional and a construction expert quickly grew into a mission to help families unlock opportunities they may not realize are sitting right in their own backyard.

Christopher and Cesar share the personal experiences that shaped their entrepreneurial journeys, the challenges they saw homeowners facing, and why they believe education is one of the most powerful tools for building long-term financial security.

The conversation explores housing, family, entrepreneurship, and community impact while offering a fresh perspective on what it means to create value in today's market.

Whether you're a homeowner, aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about innovative solutions to modern challenges, this episode offers insights that may have you looking at homeownership in a completely different way.

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Find full episodes of Mission CTRL on Anchor, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website.

Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.

Subscribe for more weekly branding and entrepreneurial content here! To learn more about Peralta Design's work visit peraltadesign.com.

#welaunchbrands #launchyourbrand #BrandU #missionctrl #mctrl #digitalagency #mbeagency #mbe #digital #branding #marketing #web #creative #contentcreator #contentstrategy #marketingstrategy #leadership #leader #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurial #startup #startups #business #businessowner #businesstips #scalingyourbusiness #smallbusiness #w2 #fulltime #9to5 #office #officelife #corporate #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #businesspodcast #lifestory #lifestories #personalstory #personalstories

This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down with Vicencia "Vee" Adusei, founder and president of VASE Construction, to discuss entrepreneurship, resilience, and what it means to lead in an industry where women are still underrepresented.
Growing up in Ghana in a family deeply rooted in construction, Vee shares how witnessing roads, buildings, and infrastructure transform communities shaped her understanding of leadership and impact from an early age. What started as helping small contractors navigate bonding, estimating, and construction systems eventually evolved into building one of Connecticut’s fastest growing woman-owned construction management firms.
Throughout the conversation, Vee reflects on navigating assumptions in a male-dominated industry, including memorable moments where clients mistook her employees for the company owner. Rather than focusing on stereotypes, she explains how consistency, confidence, and quality work became her response, letting the work speak louder than perceptions.
Drawing from years of experience managing projects across housing authorities, hospitals, universities, nonprofit organizations, and private developments, Vee breaks down the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and building systems that allow teams and communities to grow together. She also shares how mentors like Karen DuBois-Walton and Fred McKinney helped guide her journey into construction management and entrepreneurship.
The episode also explores the connection between construction and community transformation, from affordable housing and hospital projects to Girl Scout facilities and mixed-use developments - and how every project has the power to improve lives beyond the physical structure itself.
This episode is a reminder that growth comes from solving problems, success is built through collaboration, and sometimes the best way to challenge expectations is simply by doing the work exceptionally well.

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Find full episodes of Mission CTRL on Anchor, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website.

Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.

Subscribe for more weekly branding and entrepreneurial content here! To learn more about Peralta Design's work visit peraltadesign.com.

#welaunchbrands #launchyourbrand #BrandU #missionctrl #mctrl #digitalagency #mbeagency #mbe #digital #branding #marketing #web #creative #contentcreator #contentstrategy #marketingstrategy #leadership #leader #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurial #startup #startups #business #businessowner #businesstips #scalingyourbusiness #smallbusiness #w2 #fulltime #9to5 #office #officelife #corporate #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #businesspodcast #lifestory #lifestories #personalstory #personalstories

This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon and Jorge sit down with LPGA Pro Estela Morales Segarra to discuss representation, resilience, and how golf can become a powerful tool for confidence, mentorship, and opportunity.

Named the 2025 LPGA Northeast Junior Leader of the Year, Estela shares her journey from growing up in Mexico and learning the game from her father, to becoming one of the few Latina LPGA professionals in the country. She opens up about overcoming self-doubt, learning English as a second language, and navigating spaces where she was often the only woman - and the only Latina - in the room.

Drawing from decades of experience as a player, coach, mentor, and community leader, Estela explains how golf became more than just a sport. Through initiatives like LPGA Girls Golf, PGA Junior League, the CT Latinas Golf Team, and the AmiGolf Academy, she’s creating access for children and families who may have never imagined themselves on a golf course.

The conversation also explores the mental side of golf and life, from building confidence and bouncing back after mistakes, to learning how positive self-talk can completely change performance both on and off the course.

Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, parent, or someone trying to break barriers in your own field, this episode is a reminder that representation matters, confidence is built over time, and sometimes all it takes is one person opening the door for others to follow.

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Find full episodes of Mission CTRL on Anchor, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website.

Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.

Subscribe for more weekly branding and entrepreneurial content here! To learn more about Peralta Design's work visit peraltadesign.com.

#welaunchbrands #launchyourbrand #BrandU #missionctrl #mctrl #digitalagency #mbeagency #mbe #digital #branding #marketing #web #creative #contentcreator #contentstrategy #marketingstrategy #leadership #leader #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurial #startup #startups #business #businessowner #businesstips #scalingyourbusiness #smallbusiness #w2 #fulltime #9to5 #office #officelife #corporate #podcast #podcasts #podcastshow #businesspodcast #lifestory #lifestories #personalstory #personalstories