The VBG Brief

Todd and Wels sit down in the Twin Cities with longtime friend and collaborator Andy Gray, Executive Director of Catalyst for Harmony. From a heart attack the morning after announcing his transition to launch Catalyst, to building discipleship-centered cohorts and national Sankofa trips, Andy shares why nonprofit growth has to be intentional—rooted in vision, paced with patience, and supported by systems, brand, and storytelling. We also unpack VBG’s role in helping Catalyst translate mission into media, including documentary work from Sankofa journeys.

What You’ll Learn

• Why “build slow, build strong” beats quick wins for nonprofit impact

• How to stand up a new nonprofit: board, legal, finance, site, and fundraising platform

• The power of discipleship-driven formation over one-off events

• Why Sankofa trips create lasting empathy and multi-ethnic ministry momentum

• Practical advice for leaders: align vision with infrastructure and generational skill sets

• How brand, video, and web help unlock grants, partnerships, and community trust

Highlights & Timestamps

• 00:01 – Cold open and on-location intro from the Twin Cities

• 03:30 – Andy’s story: engineering, pastoring, then launching Catalyst for Harmony

• 07:12 – The moment that sparked action: Philando Castile, presence, and pastoral care

• 13:51 – 2020–2022: calling crystallizes, paperwork, launch—then recovery after a heart attack

• 23:08 – Starting a nonprofit: articles, board, payroll, website, and why details matter

• 28:05 – Visionaries need operators: pace yourself for five-year outcomes

• 31:12 – Generational collaboration: pairing mission with modern media and systems

• 36:42 – National Sankofa initiative, and the Flourishing Together Cohort model

• 40:15 – What’s next: more cohorts, a larger national trip, deeper church partnerships

In this episode, the hosts welcome Dr. Caleb St. Jean, an optometrist, and owner of Eyes On Central in St. Petersburg, Florida. They discuss his journey into optometry, the innovations he is bringing to his practice, and the challenges of running a small business in a competitive market. Dr. St. Jean shares his personal story of how his mother's experience with glaucoma inspired his passion for eye care. The conversation also touches on community engagement, marketing strategies, and the importance of faith and resilience in overcoming setbacks. Dr. St. Jean emphasizes the need for representation in the field of optometry and shares his vision for the future of his practice.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:45 The Journey of Eyes On Central

05:45 Innovations in Optometry

08:31 Personal Passion for Vision Care

11:32 Business Challenges and Opportunities

14:26 Community Engagement and Marketing

19:57 Unexpected Health Insights

21:18 Community Collaboration in Business

22:29 Faith and Business Resilience

25:30 Future Visions for Eyes on Central

27:25 Navigating Setbacks as an Entrepreneur

30:18 Connecting with the Community

This week on The VBG Brief, we’re welcoming Elijah, our Q3 Business Development Intern. Hear his story, learn what he’s focused on, and why this internship is about more than just experience—it’s about building something that lasts. Whether you're a founder or fellow student, you'll walk away with insight into how we approach business development at VBG.

This week on The VBG Brief, we welcome our new CMO, Gernise Gregoire, and dive into a conversation that challenges the status quo: what makes someone an expert? Is it age? Time in the game? Or results? From overcoming bias to building credibility as a young leader, we’re unpacking the real definition of expertise—and what it means for creative professionals today.

In Episode 10 of The VBG Brief, the team sits down to reflect on Q2—from new creative breakthroughs to the systems behind their campaigns. Todd, Wels, and Al walk through their Sankofa video project, how they helped raise $54K for a nonprofit client, and why Q3 is all about working smarter. If you’re a small business, startup, or nonprofit leader, this is a raw and tactical breakdown of what it looks like to build creative momentum with strategy and clarity.

In Episode 9 of The VBG Brief, Todd, Wels, and Al break down why video is still the most powerful tool in marketing, especially in the AI era. They reflect on the team’s work with The Encouraging Place and share how storytelling drives real revenue. They also give insight into their creative process, what separates good content from effective content, and why knowing your ICP is mission-critical.

Building Community with Vision: A Conversation with Pastor Phillip Walker

In this episode, Pastor Phillip Walker shares how his personal story, entrepreneurial heart, and spiritual leadership intersect to drive real change in Southeast Raleigh. From launching affordable housing through Summit at Sawyer to coining the idea of “MUTT Goals” (Measured, Unattainable, and Transformational), Pastor Walker unpacks what it looks like for churches, especially small ones, to lead boldly in community development. We talk about legacy, storytelling, faith, and the future of Raleigh.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests

01:52 Pastor Walker's Background and Journey

06:18 Vision Behind Summit at Sawyer

11:59 Importance of Telling the Story

14:46 Understanding Mutt Goals

26:08 Future Vision for Raleigh and Community Engagement

Keywords

Pastor Walker, community empowerment, affordable housing, Mutt goals, church vision, economic development, Raleigh, podcast, storytelling, faith-based initiatives

Summary

In this episode, Todd and Wels reflect on their journey as business partners, discussing their five-year milestone, the evolution of their website, and the origins of their partnership. They delve into the challenges they faced while starting their organization, Rev7.9, aimed at addressing social issues and fostering understanding within their community. The conversation highlights their growth, the lessons learned, and their aspirations for the future. In this conversation, Wels and Todd reflect on the journey of Rev7.9, discussing its origins, evolution, and the foundational values that drive their mission. They share experiences from live events, partnerships, and the challenges of creative growth, while also looking forward to future goals and projects.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

03:06 Reflecting on Five Years of Business

05:57 Website Evolution and Branding

08:51 The Origin of Their Partnership

11:57 Rev7.9 and Social Impact Initiatives

14:57 Challenges and Growth in Business

18:02 Looking Ahead and Future Plans

18:30 The Birth of Rev 7.9

22:03 The Evolution of Rev7.9

24:35 Foundational Values and Mission

26:36 Partnerships and Collaborations

30:08 Creative Growth and Challenges

34:54 Reflecting on Achievements and Future Goals

Keywords

podcast, business, partnership, branding, social impact, website design, entrepreneurship, Rev7.9, growth, challenges, Rev7.9, marketing journey, live events, partnerships, nonprofit, creative growth, mission-driven, videography, collaboration, business evolution

In this episode of The VBG Brief, the team sits down with Djouny Eugene, a talented wedding photographer, to explore his journey from hobbyist to full-time creative entrepreneur.

Djouny shares the story behind his business, what it takes to build meaningful relationships with clients, and why community over competition is a value he lives by. He also dives into his creative process, his branding and marketing strategies, and his aspirations for the future.

Whether you’re a fellow creative, a small business owner, or someone looking to grow a personal brand, this conversation offers practical insight, inspiration, and a reminder that treating people well is still the best strategy.

Website: https://www.anglesbydjouny.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anglesbydjouny/

Chapters

00:00 The Journey Begins: Podcast Dynamics

02:09 Friendship and Brotherhood: The Backstory

04:50 From Hobbyist to Professional: The Photography Journey

07:44 The Leap of Faith: Quitting the Day Job

10:25 Building a Brand: Marketing and Client Relationships

16:58 Building a Brand: Angles by Junie

20:39 Creative Process and Behind the Scenes

23:04 Growth Mindset in Photography

25:55 The Future of Photography: A Personal Journey

29:09 Advice for New Photographers

33:06 The Importance of Client Relationships

photography, wedding photography, business, branding, creative process, entrepreneurship, client relationships, photography tips, Djouny Eugene, Angles by Djouny

This week on the VBG Brief, we sit down with William Winters—master barber, entrepreneur, and creative force behind Mr. Groom Room. He shares his story, talks about using TikTok to grow his brand, and drops gems for anyone looking to scale with culture, confidence, and consistency.

Instagram: @mr_groomroom_barbershop

Website: https://mrgroomroombarbershop.com

Keywords

barbering, personal branding, social media, community impact, gentrification, content creation, efficiency, haircut, entrepreneurship, podcast, barbering, timeliness, pricing, criminal justice, consistency, customer service, haircuts, business advice, community service, professional development