The Forte Community

📈 Join hosts Domenick and Randall in an enlightening episode of The Forte Podcast, featuring Gloryah Allen, the founder of Black Goods and Services. Gloryah shares her journey of creating a digital and physical marketplace for black-owned businesses, her experiences growing up in a diverse DMV area, and her mission to uplift and circulate the black dollar. 

This episode delves into Gloryah's entrepreneurial spirit, the challenges and triumphs of supporting black-owned businesses, and her ambitious goals for the future. Key topics include the importance of community, mentorship, and resources for black entrepreneurs. 

Don't miss this inspiring conversation packed with actionable insights to help elevate black-owned businesses globally.

Guest & Hosts: 

🎤 Guest: Gloryah Allen

🎤 Co-host: @1domenickepps 

🎤 Co-host: @randallmonfiston 

Conversation Outline

00:00 Welcome to the Forte Podcast

01:00 Daily Grind and Business Systems

01:59 Travel Adventures and Content Creation

03:27 Introducing Gloryah Allen

04:02 Gloryah's Background and Black Goods and Services

05:46 Growing Up in the DMV Area

11:14 The Epiphany Moment and Vision for Black Amazon

18:20 Creating a Web Template for Black-Owned Businesses

19:03 Reviving Social Media Presence

19:39 Exploring Black-Owned Businesses

20:25 Highlighting Black-Owned Brands

20:59 Interviewing Black Entrepreneurs

21:47 Choosing Businesses to Highlight

23:29 Scaling and Networking

25:42 Addressing Criticism and Improving Standards

28:03 Utilizing Resources and Mentorship

30:29 Future Goals and Marketplace Vision

31:48 Contact Information and Database Creation

36:38 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

🌟 Meranda Harris, affectionately known as the 'hood queen,' shares her transformative journey from a challenging upbringing in Suffolk, Virginia, to becoming a beacon of hope and service.

From gang involvement to philanthropy, Miranda's story is a testament to resilience and faith. In this episode, she discusses: 

✅ Her path from street violence and personal struggles to helping others heal and find purpose 

✅ The pivotal moment of her near-fatal car accident that changed her life 

✅ Her commitment to aiding the homeless and at-risk youth 

✅ The significance of her journey from 'the block to the throne' and the impact of her ministry and mentorship Miranda's narrative emphasizes the power of transformation and servant leadership.

Guest & Hosts: 

🎤 Guest: Meranda Harris

🎤 Co-host: @1domenickepps 

🎤 Co-host: @randallmonfiston 

Conversation Outline

00:00 Introduction to the Forte Podcast

01:28 Special Guest Introduction: Meranda Harris

02:18 Meranda's Background and Early Life

03:21 From the Streets to Philanthropy

10:08 A Life-Changing Car Accident

16:05 Reflecting on the Past and Staying Grounded

20:00 Starting a Non-Profit and Giving Back

20:45 Overcoming Adversity: A Personal Journey

21:47 Struggles of Single Motherhood

23:09 Homelessness and Financial Hardships

24:48 Finding Purpose Through Service

26:28 The Power of Change and Elevation

28:11 From People Pleaser to Purpose Driven

29:13 A Passion for Music and Ministry

32:56 Embracing Transparency and Abstinence

39:59 Future Goals and Community Impact

43:11 Conclusion and Farewell

🌟 Join us on the Forte Podcast as we dive deep into the incredible journey of Coach D and Coach PJ, a dynamic power couple who turned their personal struggles into a thriving life coaching business. 

From childhood hardships, traumatic experiences, and overcoming adversity, they have transformed their lives and now inspire others to do the same. 

In this episode, Coach D and Coach PJ share their monumental shifts, from Daryl's fight for respect and fame to PJ’s healing journey post-trauma, and how they united their strengths to coach and uplift others. 

Discover: 

✅ The fascinating backstories of Coach D and Coach PJ 

✅ The pivotal moments that led them to transition into coaching 

✅ How they tackled personal and professional challenges to build a successful coaching business 

✅ Their aspirations to enhance and support the institution of marriage and relationships in the community

Guest & Hosts: 

🎤 Guest: Coach D (Darrell Jay)

Coach PJ (P Angelo Jones)

🎤 Co-host: @1domenickepps 

🎤 Co-host: @randallmonfiston 

Conversation Outline

00:00 Introduction to the Forte Podcast

00:41 Meet the Joneses: Darryl and Dr. PJ

02:02 Dr. PJ's Journey: From Kansas City to Coaching

08:08 Coach Darryl's Story: From Bullying to Bodybuilding

11:21 The Struggles and Triumphs of Coach Darryl

18:12 Dr. PJ's College Experience and Challenges

24:23 The Move to Atlanta: New Beginnings

37:23 How Darryl and Dr. PJ Met

44:00 Shifting Dreams and Personal Struggles

44:57 Balancing Church Life and Personal Life

46:06 Meeting Darryl and Church Involvement

48:31 Developing a Relationship with Darryl

53:54 Rapid Marriage and Immediate Challenges

54:34 Facing and Overcoming Trauma

01:01:45 Becoming Life Coaches

01:15:06 Future Goals and Aspirations

👩‍🎓 From battling personal challenges to founding her own therapy practice, Kimberly Davis shares her resilient journey.

Overcoming a traumatic college experience and a challenging marriage, she found healing through therapy and is now dedicated to helping others. 

In this episode, Kimberly discusses: 

✅ The impact of her childhood and family dynamics on her personal and professional life 

✅ Her struggles with depression and the journey towards self-acceptance 

✅ Overcoming a difficult marriage and becoming a single mother 

✅ The pivotal decision to pursue a career in therapy and her motivations behind it 

✅ Advice for those who feel silenced by trauma and the importance of seeking help.

Kimberly's story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of therapy and intentional healing.

Guest & Hosts: 

🎤 Guest: Kimberly Davis

🎤 Co-host: @1domenickepps 

🎤 Co-host: @randallmonfiston 

Conversation Outline

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

02:26 Welcome to the Forte Podcast

03:04 Weekly Catch-Up and Banter

03:49 Discussing Viral Trends

05:15 Introducing Kimberly Davis

07:45 Kimberly's Background and Family Dynamics

27:22 Navigating College and Early Adulthood

48:03 A Painful Graduation Experience

48:50 Family Disappointment and Support

50:44 Struggles in Marriage

53:03 Realization and Divorce

59:52 Pursuing a New Career Path

01:21:31 Starting a Therapy Practice

01:28:02 Empowering Others Through Therapy

01:42:57 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of The Forte Podcast, hosts Dominic Epps and Randall Sten welcome Andre Payne, an accomplished contractor and real estate developer. 

Andre shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings in Philadelphia and Chicago to becoming a major player in Atlanta's real estate market. He discusses overcoming personal challenges, embracing opportunities during a stint in jail, and taking calculated risks in both residential and commercial construction. 

Andre's story is a testament to perseverance, highlighting his transition from learning carpentry to spearheading a 29-home subdivision project. This episode is packed with valuable insights on staying consistent, adding value, and leveraging resources for long-term success.

Guest & Hosts: 

🎤 Guest: Andre Payne

🎤 Co-host: @1domenickepps 

🎤 Co-host: @randallmonfiston 

00:00 Introduction and Initial Costs

00:20 Meet the Hosts

00:59 Special Guests and Shoutouts

01:16 Real Estate Investments

02:09 The Journey to Success

02:28 Welcome to the Forte Podcast

03:06 Live from the Construction Site

04:57 Introducing Andre Payne

05:17 Andre's Background and Early Career

14:45 The Apprenticeship Experience

16:03 First Independent Projects

20:54 Starting Fresh in the South

21:11 Launching the First Business

22:10 The Move to Atlanta

23:50 Breaking into the Commercial Space

26:09 Building a Construction Business

27:33 Major Accomplishments and Future Goals

29:24 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

31:03 Recommended Reads for Success

33:41 Future Vision and Contact Information

36:00 Closing Remarks and Reflections

💡 From overcoming immense personal challenges to establishing a successful insurance agency, Angela Turntine's journey is one of resilience, faith, and determination. 

Raised in public housing and facing numerous obstacles, Angela shares how she transformed her life, founded Turntine Insurance Agency, and became a beacon of service in her community. 

In this episode, Angela discusses: 

✅ Her inspiring path from public housing to owning a successful business 

✅ The importance of service and faith in achieving greatness 

✅ Challenges and lessons learned as a woman in the insurance industry 

✅ Insights on insurance for real estate investors and business owners 

✅ Her plans to establish a career institute to help individuals without college degrees Angela's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact of providing exemplary service.

Guest & Hosts: 

🎤 Guest: Angela Turntine

🎤 Co-host: @1domenickepps 

🎤 Co-host: @randallmonfiston 

#TheFortePodcast #AngelaTurntine #InsuranceIndustry #Resilience #EntrepreneurMindset #CommunityService #BusinessSuccess #WealthBuilding #PodcastDrop

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

00:20 Welcome to the Forte Podcast

00:59 Special Guest: Chef Eck

01:16 Real Estate Investments and Success Tips

03:22 Podcast Bloopers and Fun Moments

04:25 Introducing Angela Herty

04:49 Angela's Journey: From Public Housing to Insurance

07:01 Challenges and Triumphs

12:04 Faith and Family

19:33 Career Growth and Mentorship

24:52 Independent Agents vs. Captive Agents

26:08 Starting from Scratch: Building an Insurance Agency

28:18 Steps to Open an Insurance Agency

31:55 Challenges and Sacrifices of Running a Business

35:17 Importance of Proper Insurance Coverage

37:05 Navigating Insurance Policies and Claims

43:49 Business Insurance and Future Goals

49:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

"In order for me to be who I am, I had to be me. I couldn't conform to what people thought." 

In this episode of The Forte Podcast, hosts Dominic Epps and Randall Sten sit down with Renee Battle, also known as the 'Funeral Service Diva,' who shares her journey of modernizing the family funeral home business. Renee discusses her transition from aspiring attorney to funeral director, her experiences on Capitol Hill, and the impactful changes she has brought to the family business in Suffolk, Virginia. The conversation dives into the generational shifts in the funeral industry, the importance of personalized services, and the balance of maintaining family traditions while innovating for the future.

In this episode, Renee shares: 

✅ Her background and career journey from Capitol Hill to the funeral industry

✅ Community engagement and continued education for the industry

✅ Building personal connections with clients and creating an uplifting environment 

✅ Overcoming traditional family business dynamics 

✅ The importance of personalization and empathy in funeral services

🎧 Watch now! 

Guest & Hosts: 

🎤 Guest: Renee Battle - https://www.instagram.com/reneeabattle/ 

🎤 Co-host: https://www.instagram.com/1domenickepps/

🎤 Co-host: https://www.instagram.com/randallmonfiston/

#TheFortePodcast #MatthewGilliard #FranchiseOwner #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #HealthAndWellness #CommunityImpact #PodcastDrop

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

00:20 Welcome to the Forte Podcast

03:42 Special Guest Introduction: Renee Battle

04:38 Renee's Background and Career Journey

08:42 Insights into the Funeral Industry

12:25 Capitol Hill Experience

15:27 The Shift Towards Modernization

15:57 Embracing Personal Style

17:03 Renovation and Client Reactions

20:35 Personalization in Funeral Services

23:46 Balancing Tradition and Innovation

25:22 Navigating Family Business Dynamics

32:43 Future Vision and Expansion

35:15 Contact and Social Media Presence

💡 "Awareness is the key to success. In this episode, Andre Prince, a financial advisor, and former engineer, shares his incredible journey from civil engineering to becoming a financial mogul. 

Andre discusses the importance of financial awareness, managing emotions in investment decisions, and the rule of 72. He also dives into the significance of building a cash flow machine and the discipline required to achieve financial freedom. 

Don't miss Andre's insights into the psychology of money, the power of residual income, and his future goals of expanding his financial team. 

In this episode, Andre shares: 

✅ How financial awareness changed his life 

✅ The rule of 72 explained 

✅ The importance of managing emotions in financial decisions 

✅ Strategies for building residual and compounding income 

✅ How to invest wisely and develop financial discipline 

Get ready to elevate your financial literacy and take control of your wealth-building journey!

Guest & Hosts: 

🎤 Guest: Andre Prince 

🎤 Co-host: @1domenickepps 

🎤 Co-host: @randallmonfiston 

#TheFortePodcast #AndrePrince #FinancialFreedom #WealthBuilding #Financialawareness #EntrepreneurMindset #InvestingWisely #SuccessTips #PodcastDrop

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

00:20 Welcome to the Forte Podcast

03:20 Guest Introduction: Financial Advisor Andre

03:51 Andre's Journey: From Engineering to Finance

06:43 Challenges and Realizations

08:25 Cultural Background and Early Life

11:34 College Life and Career Beginnings

19:18 Financial Awareness and Advice

28:12 Understanding What Banks Want

29:02 The Importance of Cash Flow

30:13 Financial Education and Asset Protection

31:08 Transition from Engineering to Finance

33:15 The Concept of Residual Income

36:34 The Rule of 72 Explained

48:38 Emotional Intelligence in Financial Decisions

56:47 Building a Financially Secure Future

58:23 Contact Information and Closing Remarks

💡 "Your health is your wealth, and business is a journey."  

Mathew Gilliard dives into the realities of being a multifaceted entrepreneur, owning a successful franchise, and balancing a government job, fatherhood, and business ownership. 

From his experience with failed partnerships to finding the right mentor and investing in Nectar Juice Bar, Mathew's story is one of resilience and dedication to community health. 

In this episode, Mathew shares:  

✅ The intricate details of starting and running a franchise 

✅ How personal health challenges inspired his business 

✅ The importance of partnerships and mentorships 

✅ Balancing a 9-5 job with entrepreneurship 

✅ Expanding his business while managing a team  

Mathew's journey is a testament to overcoming challenges and staying committed to your dreams. 

🎧 Watch now!  https://youtu.be/WnLJfDSHnbw

Guest & Hosts: 

🎤 Guest: Mathew Gilliard 

🎤 Co-host: @1domenickepps 

🎤 Co-host: @randallmonfiston 

#TheFortePodcast #MatthewGilliard #FranchiseOwner #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #HealthAndWellness #CommunityImpact #PodcastDrop

00:00 Welcome to the Forte Experience

00:43 Introduction to the Forte Podcast

01:30 Family Reunion Highlights

02:56 Upcoming Forte Events

05:04 Meet Our Special Guest: Matt from Nectar Juice Bar

07:13 Matt's Journey: From Government Job to Juice Bar Owner

10:46 Balancing Entrepreneurship and a 9-to-5 Job

13:06 The Challenges of Running a Business

27:21 The Inspiration Behind Nectar Juice Bar

32:52 Next Steps After Tasting the Smoothie

33:12 Flipping Houses and Early Business Ventures

34:17 Lessons from Failed Partnerships

34:46 The Importance of Business Partnerships

37:48 Personal Growth and Business Maturity

38:46 Meeting a Business Partner on Craigslist

41:53 The Franchise Journey Begins

45:54 Challenges of Setting Up a Franchise

49:38 Goals and Future Plans

54:45 Engaging with the Community

58:51 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

💡 "Breaking the social barriers through technology. Bianca Ross, the Captain turned entrepreneur, joins us to discuss her innovative app, 

Talk Don't Text, designed to enhance networking at events by connecting attendees instantly. From her upbringing in Savannah, Georgia to her service in the Army, Bianca brings a unique perspective on communication and social interaction. 

In this episode, Bianca shares: 

✅ How her near-death experience inspired the creation of Talk Don't Text 

✅ The challenges and process of developing and launching the app 

✅ How Talk Don't Text breaks down social barriers and improves networking 

✅ Her vision for the app's role in the future of social interactions 

✅ Why emotional intelligence is her forte Join us as we explore the journey of turning a personal mission into a powerful tool for social connection. 

🎧 Watch now! 

Guest & Hosts: 

🎤 Guest: Bianca Ross 

🎤 Co-host: @1domenickepps 

🎤 Co-host: @randallmonfiston 

#TheFortePodcast #BiancaRoss #Networking #EmotionalIntelligence #Events #AppDevelopment #EntrepreneurMindset #SocialInnovation #TechForGood #PodcastDrop

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

00:20 Welcome to the Forte Podcast

03:10 Guest Introduction: Bianca Ross

04:23 Bianca's Early Life and Upbringing

17:46 College Decision and Experiences

25:09 Joining the Army: A Path to Stability

26:41 Introducing Talk Don't Text

28:28 The Near-Death Experience That Sparked an Idea

31:00 Developing the App: From Concept to Reality

34:20 How Talk Don't Text Enhances Networking

44:10 Future Vision for Talk Don't Text

47:03 Final Thoughts and Event Details