This week we are talking about why professional organizations are beneficial. Our guests today are Allison Herrera, Managing Director at Uptown Girl Media, the first woman-owned and Hispanic-owned local agency of its kind and President of American Marketing Association's New Orleans chapter as well as Rachel Smith, Media Buyer at Digital Remedy and President of AAF New Orleans.

Learn more about the Online Optimism podcast at https://www.onlineoptimism.com/podcast/

This week we are talking about all things business, including how to grow a membership-based organization, the issues New Orleans businesses are facing today, and how to create a truly valuable programming agenda. Our guest today is Sandra Lombana Lindquist, President and CEO of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, one of the leading membership organizations for networking and business practices around New Orleans with over a thousand members.

Learn more about the Online Optimism podcast at https://www.onlineoptimism.com/podcast/

This week, we are talking about how to build a career as a freelance writer. Our guest today is Mackenzie Filson, Freelance Food Writer, and Digital Producer. Mackenzie is featured in publications such as PUNCH, The Kitchn, Delish, and many many others. She focuses on food and beverage blogging and is an experienced ghostwriter in the space.

Learn more about the Online Optimism podcast at https://www.onlineoptimism.com/podcast/

This week, we are talking about how to create leaders in an organization/community. Our guest today is Stephen Reuther, Executive Director at the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. NORLI is a non-profit organization focused on creating a platform and programming for thought leadership and collaboration around issues affecting Southeast Louisiana. Before joining NORLI in 2017, Stephen served as CEO at the St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce and a Partner at Chartres Street Consulting Group, among other positions.

Learn more about the Online Optimism podcast at https://www.onlineoptimism.com/podcast/

This week, we are talking about building a brand on TikTok. Our guest today is Fiona Chan, the founder, and CEO of Youthforia, an innovative makeup brand that you can sleep in due to the high quality, unique formulas. Fiona launched Fiona Co Chan in 2021 with the idea of Youthforia coming when COVID hit. She believed the best part of wearing makeup is going out, but oftentimes, people forget to take their makeup off, so she created a line so good you could sleep in it. Since then, she’s been building the brand on TikTok and currently has 116.7K followers and 3.1M likes.

Learn more about the Online Optimism podcast at https://www.onlineoptimism.com/podcast/

This week, we are talking about social media for community justice. Our guest today is SJ Walker, Communications Manager at Conway Strategic. Prior to joining Conway Strategic in 2022, SJ worked as the digital communications manager and social media manager at the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights, content coordinator at PERK social media, and as a social media specialist here at Online Optimism.

Learn more about the Online Optimism podcast at https://www.onlineoptimism.com/podcast/

This week, we are talking about The Ins and Outs of Networking. Our guest today is Shana Sumers, Senior Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Belonging Communities at HubSpot. Prior to joining HubSpot in 2021, Shana worked at HER Social App for 7 years serving as the Head of Facebook, Content & Community Manager, and Head of Community. Shana is also the host of the podcast Bad Queers, which is about breaking stereotypes in the LGBTQ+ community.  

Learn more about the Online Optimism podcast at https://www.onlineoptimism.com/podcast/

This week, we are talking about marketing to a black audience. Our guests today are Desmon Walker and Allen Shelton, the partners at Narratent, a Chicago-based, Black-owned digital marketing agency. Narratent was founded in August of 2019 and has since expanded to Washington, D.C. Their four core principles are: eliminate the box, tell it like it is, raise the bar, and add real value. Some of their notable clients include NBC Sports, Universal Music Group, Diageo, and more.

Learn more about the Online Optimism podcast at https://www.onlineoptimism.com/podcast/

This week, we are talking about the many opportunities in the Metaverse…I mean Mixed Reality. Our guest today is Cullen Factor, an explorer and a thought leader in strategic innovation in Mixed Reality and technology at Envisage Distinction, where they hope to create peerless experiences that are indistinguishable from magic. In addition, Cullen is working on Golden 𝞅hrequency, a platform to build inclusive tools for ecosystems to democratize audio for all audiences and creators.

Learn more about the Online Optimism podcast at https://www.onlineoptimism.com/podcast/

This week, we are talking about why the right CRM/tool can boost sales. Our guest today is Jason Gless, Senior Growth Development Officer at Diaz & Cooper, an inbound agency based in Miami, Florida. Jason has been at Diaz & Cooper since October 2021 and has served as Senior Growth Director, Senior Project Manager, and now the Senior Growth Development Officer. Diaz & Cooper was founded in 2001, and their team of 12 works to develop data-driven strategies, build customer bases, drive website traffic, and get users to convert. Some notable clients include Lennar, Silver Airways, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and more.

Learn more about the Online Optimism podcast at https://www.onlineoptimism.com/podcast/