This week's episode, features Krystle Watler, US Head of Business Development at Vitrue. We talk about how she went from Goldman Sachs, to ad agencies, fell into business development, got an executive sponsor and built her career to now she's a fierce #bosslady. We also delve in to what what it means to take a break from work, and how when you do that in your career, you can come back even stronger.

Laura Mignott (CEO, experience communications agency DFlash) invites bold & brave entrepreneur Kassia Graham, US Content Lead of Cannaclusive & 2 time cancer surivor. We have an honest conversation about what it's like to be a freelancer while going thru cancer treatments. Kassia, bravely shares her experience, how she dealt with insurance, family and maintaining self-care. It's something that every entrepreneur, freelancer and employer needs to hear. I was honored to speak with Kassia.

Laura Mignott (CEO, experience communications agency DFlash) chats with badass VC, Marcia Mitchell of FFVC. Marcia shares her amazing career from the trading floor to high fashion runways, getting a masters along the way, then now as a VC. We talk about the importance of being in the room, making strategic investments to go to conferences and making an impact when you're there. We also discuss what it takes to become a VC and what she's looking for in founders.

Find her on social here:
@marciamitch

www.ffvc.com

Laura Mignott (CEO, experience communications agency DFlash) invites trailblazing entrepreneur Janet Bashen, CEO of the Bashen Corporation, on to the show to share her amazing founder journey. We talk how she went from flipping burgers to becoming the first black woman to obtain a tech software patent. We dig deep into how to get government contracts (and keep them), finding a unique niche and getting back up, each time you get knocked down.

Laura Mignott (CEO, experience communications agency DFlash) invites CPG marketing whiz Leslie Waller on to the show to share the evolution of her career, going from a teenager hocking credit cards over the phone to the leader of a hot new firm The Blue Opal. They touch on tips for asking for and getting what you want, the importance of partnerships and mastermind classes and how to present from a place of abundance.

Credits:

Creator and host: Laura Mignott
Producer: Sandy Smallens for Audiation.fm
Mixer: Matt Noble at The Loft in Bronxville, NY
Additional production: Bang Studios in New York City
Original Theme Music: Probe Rok

Social media gadfly Mary Pryor sits down with host Laura Mignott (CEO, experience communications agency DFlash) to cut through the BS around social media. In a world where famous people are paid to tout products on Twitter, wherefore authenticity? In addition to coaching us on how to be mindful in the social world, Laura and Mary discuss the importance of Black Twitter as a cultural force. At the end of the day, it all comes down to: Put your phone down.

Credits:

Creator and host: Laura Mignott
Producer: Sandy Smallens for Audiation.fm
Mixer: Matt Noble at The Loft in Bronxville, NY
Additional production: Bang Studios in New York City
Original Theme Music: Probe Rok

Tune in to hear host Laura Mignott (CEO, experience communications agency DFlash) in conversation with Avis Yates Rivers, a real life ‘Hidden Figure’ and 30+ year entrepreneur. Starting out as a saleswoman for Exxon in the 80s – selling the first information processors and fax machines - Avis evolved into an entrepreneur over the next 32 years and never looked back.
Her key advice: take the time to debate and decide whether to be an entrepreneur. They also cover her amazing initiative #SitWithMe and how to encourage careers in technology for women and people of color. 

Buy Avis’s book: Necessary Inclusion: Embracing the Changing Faces of Technology
 
https://www.amazon.com/Necessary-Inclusion-Embracing-Changing-Technology/dp/1595985174/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491761185&sr=8-1&keywords=necessary+inclusion

And follow her on Twitter: @SitWithAvis

Credits:

Creator and host: Laura Mignott
Producer: Sandy Smallens for Audiation.fm
Mixer: Matt Noble at The Loft in Bronxville, NY
Additional production: Bang Studios in New York City
Original Theme Music: Probe Rok

For today’s show, host Laura Mignott (CEO, experience communications agency DFlash) is joined by venture capitalist Sumeet Shah (@PE_Feeds), Principal at Brand Foundry Ventures. Sumeet relates his colorful path to the VC world, and the early stage firm’s focus on the consumer sector. With keen honesty and insight, he addresses the VC world’s focus on younger founders and its attempts to embrace more diversity. And if that’s not enough, you’ll hear about his superior meatball game as well as a recent foray he has undertaken to visit diners across the country and interact with folks from all walks of life.

Not to mention a shoutout for Lower East Side NYC joint Whitman’s cheese-stuffed burgers.

Credits:

Creator and host: Laura Mignott
Producer: Sandy Smallens for Audiation.fm
Mixer: Matt Noble at The Loft in Bronxville, NY
Additional production: Bang Studios in New York City

Digital marketing pro – and podcasting pundit – Mike Street (@MrMikeStreet) joins host Laura Mignott (CEO, experience communications agency DFlash) to dissect best practices for digital/social marketing, from uncovering your audience to incorporating elements of fringe culture. The discussion touches on opportunities for people of color, how to get paid for doing good work…even an impromptu review of this year’s CES. Check out Mike’s podcast “Smart Brown Voices” in all the usual places, it’s great.

Credits:

Creator and host: Laura Mignott
Producer: Sandy Smallens for Audiation.fm
Mixer: Matt Noble at The Loft in Bronxville, NY
Additional production: Bang Studios in New York City
Original Theme Music: Probe Rok

This time around, show creator and host Laura Mignott (Founder, experiential marketing agency Digital Flash) welcomes Heidi Bayer, creator of the Brooklyn Allergy Mom blog (http://bklynallergymom.com/ - @bklynallergymom) and Chairman of the Board of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. They discuss how to be the best advocate – and parent – for kids with food allergies; the sad genesis of Chicago’s advancements in this area; and how to effect change on a state-by-state basis. They also touch on Heidi’s ‘day gig’ as CEO of numodo.com.

The episode features the track “Smog Cutter” by the James Carney Group (https://www.amazon.com/James-Carney/e/B000AQ1PJ4/ref=ac_dtp_sa_link) – led by Heidi’s talented, multi-instrumentalist/composer husband.
 
Credits:
Creator and host: Laura Mignott
Producer: Sandy Smallens for Audiation.fm
Mixer: Matt Noble at The Loft in Bronxville, NY
Additional production: Bang Studios in New York City
Original Theme Music: Probe Rok
Special episode music: “Smog Cutter” by James Carney Group