<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1861823/open_sms">We would love to hear from you! Text &quot;BBMFAM&quot; to (312) 300-1300.</a>Guest Name: Susanne MarigaGuest Business:  The Mariga GroupEPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Susanne Mariga, CPA, Fractional CFO, and CEO of The Mariga Group, a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business firm named the 2021 Profit First Professional Firm of the Year.Growing up surrounded by math and books, Susanne was inspired by her father, an accountant who introduced her to business early, allowing her to intern in the family firm at just 14. Though she began college at Ohio State University on the pre-med track, she soon discovered her true passion for accounting and shifted her focus.As Susanne built her corporate career, she realized the demanding hours were keeping her from her family, inspiring her to launch her own accounting firm. She grew it into a thriving business that she eventually sold, positioning herself to retire at 46.Today, Susanne helps 7- and 8-figure entrepreneurs master profitability and scale sustainably through The Mariga Group and her Profit First System. She is also the author of Profit First for Minority Business Enterprises, host of The Profit Talk Podcast, and has been featured in outlets such as Houston Business Journal and MBE Magazine.In the conversation, Susanne shares how she turned financial strategy into freedom, her approach to building wealth for entrepreneurs of color, and the lessons she’s learned about aligning profit with purpose.If you’re passionate about entrepreneurship, financial empowerment, and building a business that serves both your purpose and your peace, this episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…<ol><li>What was she like as a child? </li><li>How did The Mariga Group come to life, and what inspired you to focus on empowering minority business owners through financial literacy and strategic growth?</li><li>As you built your business, how did you navigate the personal and professional pressures that come with leading and advising other entrepreneurs?</li><li>How has your journey influenced the way you view risk, success, and failure in entrepreneurship?</li><li>How have your past experiences shaped the way you now support other businesses through difficult transitions or financial uncertainty?</li><li>BBM Brag Moment   </li><li>What brings them joy? </li><li>Why do black businesses matter? </li></ol>Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!Connect with themConnect with them on their website : https://susannemariga.com <a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1861823/support">Support the show</a>To connect further with me: Visit my website: <a href='https://thel3agency.com/'>Thel3agency.com</a> Connect with me on Facebook:<a href='http://www.facebook.com/thel3agency'> www.facebook.com/thel3agency</a> Follow me on Instagram: <a href='https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/'>https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/</a> Connect with me on Linkedin: <a href='http://www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency/'>www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency</a> Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can&apos;t wait to see you join us and take the pledge of <a href='http://www.instagram.com/blackbusinessesmatterpodcast/'>#blackbusinessesmatter </a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1861823/open_sms"&gt;We would love to hear from you! Text &amp;quot;BBMFAM&amp;quot; to (312) 300-1300.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Guest Name: &lt;/b&gt;Susanne Mariga&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Guest Business: &lt;/b&gt; The Mariga Group&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;EPISODE SUMMARY &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Susanne Mariga, CPA, Fractional CFO, and CEO of The Mariga Group, a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business firm named the 2021 Profit First Professional Firm of the Year.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Growing up surrounded by math and books, Susanne was inspired by her father, an accountant who introduced her to business early, allowing her to intern in the family firm at just 14. Though she began college at Ohio State University on the pre-med track, she soon discovered her true passion for accounting and shifted her focus.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As Susanne built her corporate career, she realized the demanding hours were keeping her from her family, inspiring her to launch her own accounting firm. She grew it into a thriving business that she eventually sold, positioning herself to retire at 46.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Today, Susanne helps 7- and 8-figure entrepreneurs master profitability and scale sustainably through The Mariga Group and her Profit First System. She is also the author of Profit First for Minority Business Enterprises, host of The Profit Talk Podcast, and has been featured in outlets such as Houston Business Journal and MBE Magazine.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In the conversation, Susanne shares how she turned financial strategy into freedom, her approach to building wealth for entrepreneurs of color, and the lessons she’s learned about aligning profit with purpose.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’re passionate about entrepreneurship, financial empowerment, and building a business that serves both your purpose and your peace, this episode is for you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;What was she like as a child? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;How did The Mariga Group come to life, and what inspired you to focus on empowering minority business owners through financial literacy and strategic growth?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;As you built your business, how did you navigate the personal and professional pressures that come with leading and advising other entrepreneurs?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;How has your journey influenced the way you view risk, success, and failure in entrepreneurship?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;How have your past experiences shaped the way you now support other businesses through difficult transitions or financial uncertainty?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;BBM Brag Moment   &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;What brings them joy? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why do black businesses matter? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect with them&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect with them on their website : &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;https://susannemariga.com&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1861823/support"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;To connect further with me:&lt;br/&gt;Visit my website: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://thel3agency.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Thel3agency.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Connect with me on Facebook:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.facebook.com/thel3agency'&gt;&lt;b&gt; www.facebook.com/thel3agency&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Follow me on Instagram: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Connect with me on Linkedin: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can&amp;apos;t wait to see you join us and take the pledge of &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.instagram.com/blackbusinessesmatterpodcast/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;#blackbusinessesmatter &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Guest Name: Susanne Mariga Guest Business:  The Mariga Group EPISODE SUMMARY  In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Susanne Mariga, CPA, Fractional CFO, and CEO of The Mariga Group, a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business firm named the 2021 Profit First Professional Firm of the Year. Growing up surrounded by math and books, Susanne was inspired by her father, an accountant who introduced h...

“I definitely want to eradicate entrepreneurial  poverty ” says Susanne Mariga

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1861823/open_sms">We would love to hear from you! Text &quot;BBMFAM&quot; to (312) 300-1300.</a>Guest Name: Dr. Lakeba Hibbler Williams Guest Business:  Fresh Hope Counseling CenterEPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Dr. Lakeba Williams, Director of Fresh Hope Counseling Center, LLC (FHCC), a multidisciplinary behavioral health practice she founded in 2012 to help individuals and organizations become more adaptable and resilient.With over 30 years of experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Dr. Lakeba is dedicated to supporting clients through trauma, anxiety, grief, and race-related stress. She holds degrees in Social Work, Community Agency Counseling, and a PhD in Adult Education.Dr. Lakeba reflects on her early experiences caring for her great-grandmother and how those moments shaped her purpose as a healer and leader. She shares the journey of building her practice while balancing family, faith, and professional growth.In the conversation, she discusses the evolution of Fresh Hope Counseling Center, the frameworks she uses to guide her clients, and the value of taking calculated risks when growing a business. She also reads an excerpt from the book she co-authored with her daughters, offering insight into generational healing and legacy building.If you’re passionate about mental health, leadership, and creating spaces that inspire healing and hope, this episode is for you.. IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…<ol><li>What was she like as a child? </li><li>Navigating growth as a business owner </li><li>Protecting your mental health </li><li>What advice would you give to entrepreneurs navigating trauma while trying to build something meaningful?</li><li>BBM Brag Moment   </li><li>What brings them joy? </li><li>Why do black businesses matter? </li></ol>Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!Connect with themConnect with them on their website : <a href='http://www.freshhopetoday.com/'>www.freshhopetoday.com</a> <a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1861823/support">Support the show</a>To connect further with me: Visit my website: <a href='https://thel3agency.com/'>Thel3agency.com</a> Connect with me on Facebook:<a href='http://www.facebook.com/thel3agency'> www.facebook.com/thel3agency</a> Follow me on Instagram: <a href='https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/'>https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/</a> Connect with me on Linkedin: <a href='http://www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency/'>www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency</a> Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can&apos;t wait to see you join us and take the pledge of <a href='http://www.instagram.com/blackbusinessesmatterpodcast/'>#blackbusinessesmatter </a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1861823/open_sms"&gt;We would love to hear from you! Text &amp;quot;BBMFAM&amp;quot; to (312) 300-1300.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Guest Name: &lt;/b&gt;Dr. Lakeba Hibbler Williams&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Guest Business: &lt;/b&gt; Fresh Hope Counseling Center&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;EPISODE SUMMARY &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of the &lt;em&gt;Black Businesses Matter Podcast&lt;/em&gt;, we chat with Dr. Lakeba Williams, Director of Fresh Hope Counseling Center, LLC (FHCC), a multidisciplinary behavioral health practice she founded in 2012 to help individuals and organizations become more adaptable and resilient.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With over 30 years of experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Dr. Lakeba is dedicated to supporting clients through trauma, anxiety, grief, and race-related stress. She holds degrees in Social Work, Community Agency Counseling, and a PhD in Adult Education.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Dr. Lakeba reflects on her early experiences caring for her great-grandmother and how those moments shaped her purpose as a healer and leader. She shares the journey of building her practice while balancing family, faith, and professional growth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In the conversation, she discusses the evolution of Fresh Hope Counseling Center, the frameworks she uses to guide her clients, and the value of taking calculated risks when growing a business. She also reads an excerpt from the book she co-authored with her daughters, offering insight into generational healing and legacy building.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’re passionate about mental health, leadership, and creating spaces that inspire healing and hope, this episode is for you..&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;What was she like as a child? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Navigating growth as a business owner &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Protecting your mental health &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;What advice would you give to entrepreneurs navigating trauma while trying to build something meaningful?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;BBM Brag Moment   &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;What brings them joy? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why do black businesses matter? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect with them&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect with them on their website : &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.freshhopetoday.com/'&gt;www.freshhopetoday.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1861823/support"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;To connect further with me:&lt;br/&gt;Visit my website: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://thel3agency.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Thel3agency.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Connect with me on Facebook:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.facebook.com/thel3agency'&gt;&lt;b&gt; www.facebook.com/thel3agency&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Follow me on Instagram: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Connect with me on Linkedin: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can&amp;apos;t wait to see you join us and take the pledge of &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.instagram.com/blackbusinessesmatterpodcast/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;#blackbusinessesmatter &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Guest Name: Dr. Lakeba Hibbler Williams   Guest Business:  Fresh Hope Counseling Center EPISODE SUMMARY  In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Dr. Lakeba Williams, Director of Fresh Hope Counseling Center, LLC (FHCC), a multidisciplinary behavioral health practice she founded in 2012 to help individuals and organizations become more adaptable and resilient. With over 30 years of experienc...

“I tell my clients, T + F = A. Your thoughts lead to feelings, and your feelings lead to actions,” says Dr. Lakeba Williams

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1861823/open_sms">We would love to hear from you! Text &quot;BBMFAM&quot; to (312) 300-1300.</a>Guest Name: Jannice Newson Guest Business:  Lillian Augusta Beauty Episode SummaryIn this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Jannice Newson, social entrepreneur and Co-Founder &amp; CEO of Lillian Augusta Beauty, a company creating plant-based hair extensions that merge beauty and sustainability.Jannice takes us back to her childhood on the West Side of Chicago, reflecting on the experiences that sparked her early interest in environmental science. A quiet, sporty child, she went on to earn degrees in Environmental Science and Conservation Ecology, focusing her research on wetlands and agro-ecosystems.Her work in environmental and agricultural landscapes revealed a personal challenge when traditional braiding hair often caused allergic reactions. That experience inspired her to develop a safer, plant-based alternative. While studying at the University of Michigan, she used campus resources to pitch her idea and secure funding for Lillian Augusta Beauty (LAB), a name chosen to honor her grandmother, the family matriarch who paved the way for their success.Jannice walks us through the process of developing the product, conducting market research, and ensuring that the voice of the consumer remained central to every step.If you’re passionate about sustainability, innovation, or redefining beauty through purpose, this episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…<ol><li>What was he like as a child?</li><li>His inspiration for LAB beauty.  </li><li>How do we help women to not normalize discomfort?</li><li>how hard is it to get people to transition to plant based hair? </li><li>BBM Brag Moment   </li><li>What brings them joy? </li><li>Why do black businesses matter? </li></ol>Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!Connect with themConnect with them on their website : http://hairwithoutharm.com <a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1861823/support">Support the show</a>To connect further with me: Visit my website: <a href='https://thel3agency.com/'>Thel3agency.com</a> Connect with me on Facebook:<a href='http://www.facebook.com/thel3agency'> www.facebook.com/thel3agency</a> Follow me on Instagram: <a href='https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/'>https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/</a> Connect with me on Linkedin: <a href='http://www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency/'>www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency</a> Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can&apos;t wait to see you join us and take the pledge of <a href='http://www.instagram.com/blackbusinessesmatterpodcast/'>#blackbusinessesmatter </a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1861823/open_sms"&gt;We would love to hear from you! Text &amp;quot;BBMFAM&amp;quot; to (312) 300-1300.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Guest Name: &lt;/b&gt;Jannice Newson&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Guest Business: &lt;/b&gt; Lillian Augusta Beauty&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Episode Summary&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of the &lt;em&gt;Black Businesses Matter Podcast&lt;/em&gt;, we chat with Jannice Newson, social entrepreneur and Co-Founder &amp;amp; CEO of Lillian Augusta Beauty, a company creating plant-based hair extensions that merge beauty and sustainability.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jannice takes us back to her childhood on the West Side of Chicago, reflecting on the experiences that sparked her early interest in environmental science. A quiet, sporty child, she went on to earn degrees in Environmental Science and Conservation Ecology, focusing her research on wetlands and agro-ecosystems.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Her work in environmental and agricultural landscapes revealed a personal challenge when traditional braiding hair often caused allergic reactions. That experience inspired her to develop a safer, plant-based alternative. While studying at the University of Michigan, she used campus resources to pitch her idea and secure funding for Lillian Augusta Beauty (LAB), a name chosen to honor her grandmother, the family matriarch who paved the way for their success.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jannice walks us through the process of developing the product, conducting market research, and ensuring that the voice of the consumer remained central to every step.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’re passionate about sustainability, innovation, or redefining beauty through purpose, this episode is for you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;What was he like as a child?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;His inspiration for LAB beauty.  &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;How do we help women to not normalize discomfort?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;how hard is it to get people to transition to plant based hair? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;BBM Brag Moment   &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;What brings them joy? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why do black businesses matter? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect with them&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect with them on their website : &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;http://hairwithoutharm.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1861823/support"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;To connect further with me:&lt;br/&gt;Visit my website: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://thel3agency.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Thel3agency.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Connect with me on Facebook:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.facebook.com/thel3agency'&gt;&lt;b&gt; www.facebook.com/thel3agency&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Follow me on Instagram: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Connect with me on Linkedin: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can&amp;apos;t wait to see you join us and take the pledge of &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.instagram.com/blackbusinessesmatterpodcast/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;#blackbusinessesmatter &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Guest Name: Jannice Newson   Guest Business:  Lillian Augusta Beauty   Episode Summary In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Jannice Newson, social entrepreneur and Co-Founder &amp; CEO of Lillian Augusta Beauty, a company creating plant-based hair extensions that merge beauty and sustainability. Jannice takes us back to her childhood on the West Side of Chicago, reflecting on the experiences ...

 “What’s different about LAB is we have taken into consideration not just data but stories from people,” says Jannice Newson

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1861823/open_sms">We would love to hear from you! Text &quot;BBMFAM&quot; to (312) 300-1300.</a>Guest Name: Marc Alexander Guest Business:  Lite RaiseEPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Marc Alexander, visionary entrepreneur, Co-Founder &amp; CEO of Lite Raise, and Founder of Lite Tuition. Through his ventures, Marc is transforming how nonprofits fundraise, engage communities, and expand access to education.Marc takes us back to his early years, reflecting on the unconventional entrepreneurs who surrounded him as a child. While not traditional, they offered his first glimpse into entrepreneurial thinking and inspired his own path. That early exposure evolved into a career dedicated to using technology, leadership, and innovation to strengthen nonprofits and empower communities.With Lite Raise, Marc is helping organizations secure funding, invest in tech improvements, and scale their impact. Beyond business, he shares powerful insights on maintaining wealth,from the mental mindset to the physical practices that sustain it, while underscoring the importance of being coachable, mentoring others, and passing along knowledge.Marc’s commitment to service extends into his leadership roles on the boards of FreeStar Financial Credit Union and the Amour Women Foundation, where he champions financial literacy and community empowerment. A past Kiwanis president and Hixson Award recipient, he was recently honored as a 2025 Most Valuable Entrepreneur by Corp! Magazine and recognized as a Macomb 40 Under 40 honoree. As an author and speaker, Marc continues to advance his life goal of impacting 2% of the world through purpose-driven innovation.If you’re passionate about entrepreneurship, community wealth-building, or creating businesses rooted in equity and impact, this is the episode for you. IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…<ol><li>What was he like as a child?</li><li>His inspiration for entrepreneurship </li><li>How his upbringing impacted her her business venture </li><li>How do entrepreneurs maintain wealth</li><li>BBM Brag Moment   </li><li>What brings them joy? </li><li>Why do black businesses matter? </li></ol>Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!Connect with themConnect with them on their website : https://literaise.com/   |   https://litetuition.com/Connect with them on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcdalexanderConnect on their Personal Website: https://marcdalexander.com/ <a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1861823/support">Support the show</a>To connect further with me: Visit my website: <a href='https://thel3agency.com/'>Thel3agency.com</a> Connect with me on Facebook:<a href='http://www.facebook.com/thel3agency'> www.facebook.com/thel3agency</a> Follow me on Instagram: <a href='https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/'>https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/</a> Connect with me on Linkedin: <a href='http://www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency/'>www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency</a> Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can&apos;t wait to see you join us and take the pledge of <a href='http://www.instagram.com/blackbusinessesmatterpodcast/'>#blackbusinessesmatter </a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1861823/open_sms"&gt;We would love to hear from you! Text &amp;quot;BBMFAM&amp;quot; to (312) 300-1300.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Guest Name: Marc Alexander&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Guest Business: &lt;/b&gt; &lt;b&gt;Lite Raise&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;EPISODE SUMMARY &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Marc Alexander, visionary entrepreneur, Co-Founder &amp;amp; CEO of Lite Raise, and Founder of Lite Tuition. Through his ventures, Marc is transforming how nonprofits fundraise, engage communities, and expand access to education.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Marc takes us back to his early years, reflecting on the unconventional entrepreneurs who surrounded him as a child. While not traditional, they offered his first glimpse into entrepreneurial thinking and inspired his own path. That early exposure evolved into a career dedicated to using technology, leadership, and innovation to strengthen nonprofits and empower communities.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With Lite Raise, Marc is helping organizations secure funding, invest in tech improvements, and scale their impact. Beyond business, he shares powerful insights on maintaining wealth,from the mental mindset to the physical practices that sustain it, while underscoring the importance of being coachable, mentoring others, and passing along knowledge.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Marc’s commitment to service extends into his leadership roles on the boards of FreeStar Financial Credit Union and the Amour Women Foundation, where he champions financial literacy and community empowerment. A past Kiwanis president and Hixson Award recipient, he was recently honored as a 2025 Most Valuable Entrepreneur by Corp! Magazine and recognized as a Macomb 40 Under 40 honoree. As an author and speaker, Marc continues to advance his life goal of impacting 2% of the world through purpose-driven innovation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’re passionate about entrepreneurship, community wealth-building, or creating businesses rooted in equity and impact, this is the episode for you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;What was he like as a child?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;His inspiration for entrepreneurship &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;How his upbringing impacted her her business venture &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;How do entrepreneurs maintain wealth&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;BBM Brag Moment   &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;What brings them joy? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why do black businesses matter? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect with them&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect with them on their website : &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;https://literaise.com/   |   https://litetuition.com/&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect with them on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcdalexander&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect on their Personal Website: https://marcdalexander.com/&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1861823/support"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;To connect further with me:&lt;br/&gt;Visit my website: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://thel3agency.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Thel3agency.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Connect with me on Facebook:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.facebook.com/thel3agency'&gt;&lt;b&gt; www.facebook.com/thel3agency&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Follow me on Instagram: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Connect with me on Linkedin: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can&amp;apos;t wait to see you join us and take the pledge of &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.instagram.com/blackbusinessesmatterpodcast/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;#blackbusinessesmatter &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Guest Name: Marc Alexander   Guest Business:  Lite Raise EPISODE SUMMARY  In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Marc Alexander, visionary entrepreneur, Co-Founder &amp; CEO of Lite Raise, and Founder of Lite Tuition. Through his ventures, Marc is transforming how nonprofits fundraise, engage communities, and expand access to education. Marc takes us back to his early years, reflecting on ...

“Nonprofits are the backbone of the community ” says Marc Alexander 

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1861823/open_sms">We would love to hear from you! Text &quot;BBMFAM&quot; to (312) 300-1300.</a>Guest Name: Rachel Bernier-Green, Guest Business:  EJ ConsortiumEPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Rachel Bernier-Green, the Founder &amp; CEO of EJ Consortium, a serial social entrepreneur, and a recovering public accountant who has devoted the past decade to building businesses that create catalytic social and environmental change.Rachel takes us back to her early years, where homeschooling sparked her entrepreneurial spirit and led her to launch her first backyard business. That early passion evolved into a career focused on building ventures like Laine’s Bake Shop and EJ Consortium, both dedicated to creating wealth for employees, uplifting impoverished communities, reducing crime and recidivism, and expanding access to quality food.With EJ Consortium, Rachel has redefined what an accounting firm can be. Instead of reinforcing hustle culture, her firm helps entrepreneurs strategically plan for growth, sustainability, and balance. Her trauma-informed approach integrates mental health support and prioritizes holistic well-being, a philosophy shaped by her own journey through mental health challenges.Rachel’s impact has been recognized by major outlets including the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Fox, Chicago Sun-Times, and Eater. In this episode, she shares how she is reimagining business models to resist purely capitalistic pressures and instead center restorative and economic justice.If you’re passionate about entrepreneurship, community wealth-building, or creating businesses rooted in purpose and equity, this is the episode for you IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…<ol><li>What was she like as a child?</li><li>Her inspiration for entrepreneurship </li><li>How her upbringing impacted her her business venture </li><li>The importance of community </li><li>BBM Brag Moment   </li><li>What brings them joy? </li><li>Why do black businesses matter? </li></ol>Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!Connect with themConnect with them on their website : <a href='http://www.ejconsortium.com/'>http://www.ejconsortium.com</a>Connect with them on Instagram:<a href='https://www.instagram.com/ejconsortium'>https://www.instagram.com/ejconsortium</a> <a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1861823/support">Support the show</a>To connect further with me: Visit my website: <a href='https://thel3agency.com/'>Thel3agency.com</a> Connect with me on Facebook:<a href='http://www.facebook.com/thel3agency'> www.facebook.com/thel3agency</a> Follow me on Instagram: <a href='https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/'>https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/</a> Connect with me on Linkedin: <a href='http://www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency/'>www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency</a> Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can&apos;t wait to see you join us and take the pledge of <a href='http://www.instagram.com/blackbusinessesmatterpodcast/'>#blackbusinessesmatter </a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1861823/open_sms"&gt;We would love to hear from you! Text &amp;quot;BBMFAM&amp;quot; to (312) 300-1300.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Guest Name: Rachel Bernier-Green&lt;/b&gt;,&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Guest Business: &lt;/b&gt; &lt;b&gt;EJ Consortium&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;EPISODE SUMMARY &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Rachel Bernier-Green, the Founder &amp;amp; CEO of EJ Consortium, a serial social entrepreneur, and a recovering public accountant who has devoted the past decade to building businesses that create catalytic social and environmental change.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Rachel takes us back to her early years, where homeschooling sparked her entrepreneurial spirit and led her to launch her first backyard business. That early passion evolved into a career focused on building ventures like &lt;em&gt;Laine’s Bake Shop&lt;/em&gt; and EJ Consortium, both dedicated to creating wealth for employees, uplifting impoverished communities, reducing crime and recidivism, and expanding access to quality food.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With EJ Consortium, Rachel has redefined what an accounting firm can be. Instead of reinforcing hustle culture, her firm helps entrepreneurs strategically plan for growth, sustainability, and balance. Her trauma-informed approach integrates mental health support and prioritizes holistic well-being, a philosophy shaped by her own journey through mental health challenges.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Rachel’s impact has been recognized by major outlets including the &lt;em&gt;New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Fox, Chicago Sun-Times,&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Eater.&lt;/em&gt; In this episode, she shares how she is reimagining business models to resist purely capitalistic pressures and instead center restorative and economic justice.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’re passionate about entrepreneurship, community wealth-building, or creating businesses rooted in purpose and equity, this is the episode for you&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT…&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;What was she like as a child?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Her inspiration for entrepreneurship &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;How her upbringing impacted her her business venture &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;The importance of community &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;BBM Brag Moment   &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;What brings them joy? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why do black businesses matter? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Stream and download the Black Businesses Matter Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google, Stitcher, Pandora, and Spotify!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect with them&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect with them on their website : &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.ejconsortium.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;http://www.ejconsortium.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect with them on Instagram:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/ejconsortium'&gt;&lt;b&gt;https://www.instagram.com/ejconsortium&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1861823/support"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;To connect further with me:&lt;br/&gt;Visit my website: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://thel3agency.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Thel3agency.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Connect with me on Facebook:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.facebook.com/thel3agency'&gt;&lt;b&gt; www.facebook.com/thel3agency&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Follow me on Instagram: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;https://www.instagram.com/larvettaspeaks/&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Connect with me on Linkedin: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;www.linkedin.com/company/thel3agency&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram. I can&amp;apos;t wait to see you join us and take the pledge of &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.instagram.com/blackbusinessesmatterpodcast/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;#blackbusinessesmatter &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Guest Name: Rachel Bernier-Green,   Guest Business:  EJ Consortium EPISODE SUMMARY  In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Rachel Bernier-Green, the Founder &amp; CEO of EJ Consortium, a serial social entrepreneur, and a recovering public accountant who has devoted the past decade to building businesses that create catalytic social and environmental change. Rachel takes us back to her earl...

 “Are you building yourself into a trap?” asks  Rachel Bernier-Green

Black Businesses Matter is a weekly podcast show on the impact of collaborating and advocating for Black Businesses to drive impact. It is hosted by Larvetta L. Loftin. Founder of The L3 Agency, a full service influencer marketing and communications agency. Hear from investors, thought leaders, supply chain leaders, DEI practitioners and business owners on why engaging minority businesses should be a social responsibility when black businesses are the largest employers of black people. Each episode will provide inspiration and actionable tools to help you become culturally sensitive in growing your business or brand. Each episode are about 30 - 45 minutes in length to help you to pledge to support Black businesses EVERY DAY in EVERY WAY and REIMAGINE #blackbusinessesmatter.

Black Businesses Matter (BBM) Podcast

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