Not So CEO Talkshow

On this episode of the Not So CEO Talk Show, we're having Water Cooler Convo with Kéla Walker to chat about her journey, her impact, and the power of staying true to oneself. About Kéla Walker Seven-time Emmy-nominated TV host & producer, Kéla Walker is a multi-talented media personality. An authentic storyteller, Kéla has leveraged her talents to cultivate a highly engaged tribe of "Kuties" across her social media platforms who see her as a “bestie in my head”. Identified by ESSENCE Magazine as a tastemaker and "It Girl," Kéla has established herself as an authority within the community, with a passion to enlighten, connect, and inspire. Kéla strikes a balance between hard work and play, inspiring others to make their dreams a reality and live their best life. When she’s not hosting or producing content for notable media outlets like OWN, BET, CLEO TV, Getty or conducting red carpet interviews at the Tony Awards, the Met Gala, or The Grammy’s, Kéla curates authentic content for leading consumer brands, keeping her audience craving more of her #KélaVie lifestyle with every share! Follow Kéla on Instagram Get the Making the Brand Workbook ⁠HERE⁠ Book a 1:1 officehrs session with Brittany of Not So CEO ⁠HERE⁠ Subscribe to the Not So CEO newsletter The Paper ⁠HERE⁠ Follow Not So CEO on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠Tiktok

Join us in this enlightening conversation as we sit down with Shani Syphrett-Haynes, an award-winning global marketer, business strategist, and creative executive coach. Shani shares her insights on building an inner compass and smart strategies to maximize value while maintaining integrity in a rapidly changing world. She offers valuable advice on how entrepreneurs can identify their brand's North Star to guide decision-making and foster meaningful growth. About Shani Syphrett-Haynes Shani is an award-winning marketer and business strategist who leads brand marketing campaigns for Pinterest. She’s also the founder of Jamila Studio, a boutique consulting firm dedicated to supporting underestimated yet remarkably creative women of color in living abundant lives doing meaningful work. Shani’s approach focuses on simplifying practices that move things from good to great and removing barriers for more creative professionals to thrive. Her expertise lies in helping companies and individuals build strategies that are both effective and aligned with their core values. In This Episode We Discuss Balancing corporate roles and entrepreneurship, and the key lessons learned along the way. The concept of a North Star and how it can serve as a guiding force for your brand’s direction and decisions. How to define and uncover your brand’s North Star amidst market noise and competition. Practical strategies for staying aligned with your brand’s core purpose and avoiding distractions. Chapters 0:00 Intro 2:42 Shani’s Background 7:24 Pivoting Professionally 10:57 Paving the Way for Black Women and WOC 19:57 Community is the Cheatcode 22:55 Navigating Career Challenges 25:43 Putting Yourself First Through Self Care 27:50 What Is Your Brand’s North Star 29:43 The Best Method For Discovering Your Brand’s North Star 35:15 Examples of Brands With Strong North Stars 43:26 Making Business Decisions Around Your North Star 44:15 Avoiding Distractions and Detours 49:18 Don’t Burn It All Down, Repurpose Follow Shani on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shanisyphrett/ Connect With Shani & Jamila Studio https://shanisyphrett.com/ https://www.jamilastudio.com/coaching Get the Making the Brand Workbook HERE Book a 1:1 officehrs session with Brittany of Not So CEO HERE Subscribe to the Not So CEO newsletter The Paper HERE Follow Not So CEO on Instagram and Tiktok

Ever feel like your brand just isn't hitting the mark anymore? In today’s officehrs segment, we tackle the signs that tell you it might be time for a brand refresh—or a complete overhaul. From declining sales and low social media engagement to messaging that’s all over the place, we cover the red flags that signal your brand is losing its spark. We also explore strategies for auditing your brand’s health, updating your identity, and reestablishing brand resonance to reconnect with your audience. SIGN UP for our Making the Brand Audit, a FREE interactive workshop in which we'll break down your brand's strengths and weaknesses with a fun, gamified experience. Whether your brand is winning or needs a revamp this workshop will help you pinpoint what’s working and what needs a little TLC. Register for the Making the Brand Audit Workshop lu.ma/8o5y1354 In This Episode We Discuss: Why brand resonance matters in today’s market. 13 red flags that signal it’s time for a rebrand. How to audit your brand for alignment and relevance. Common pitfalls to avoid when rebranding. Chapters 0:00 Introduction 2:35 The Importance of Brand Relevance 4:16 Red Flags That Signal That It’s Time For a Rebrand 14:46 IRL Examples of Successful Businesses That Rebranded 15:38 A Guide on How to Approach a Rebrand 18:50 Common Rebranding Pitfalls Get the Making the Brand Workbook HERE Book a 1:1 officehrs session with Brittany of Not So CEO HERE Subscribe to the Not So CEO newsletter The Paper HERE Follow Not So CEO on Instagram and Tiktok

Join us in this insightful conversation as we sit down with Muna Ikedionwu, a startup expert and seasoned business strategist. With a passion for making business easier for underrepresented founders, Muna offers practical advice and key strategies for startups in the beauty, wellness, and tech industries to launch, scale, and exit successfully. About Muna Muna is a startup expert, seasoned marketer, and founder of strategic advisory firm M.KEDI (editor's note: pronounced em-KAY-dee). She started her career early at just 17 years old and over the past ten years has worked with Madewell, Warby Parker, Gucci, Topicals, Chillhouse, TikTok, and the WNBA among others. She's extremely passionate about making business easier for underrepresented founders and now works with beauty, wellness, and tech startups to help them launch, scale, and exit with ease. She's also the Executive Director of Sad Girls Club, a global mental health organization providing cultural mental health resources for Gen Z and millennial women and girls of color. Since moving part-time to Paris in 2023, Muna also hosts Le French Conversation, a meetup group for cool girls learning French in NYC. In This Episode We Discuss: The importance of a solid business strategy and what investors are really looking for. Essential elements to include in your business plan to attract investment. Challenges that women-owned and BIPOC founders face and strategies to overcome them. Fundraising tips for first-time founders, including the differences between investors, angel investors, and VCs. Tips on securing grants and navigating the ins and outs of brand partnerships. Chapters 0:00 Intro 3:20 Muna’s Background 21:11 Balancing Executive Director Role at Sad Girls Club 27:32 The Importance of a Business Strategy 31:16 What Investors Are Looking For 35:17 Important Things To Include In Your Business Plan 40:03 Difference Between Customers & Consumers 41:30 Challenges Women Owned & BIPOC Founders Face and Strategies to Overcome Them 47:47 Tips On Fundraising For First-Time Founders 52:39 Difference Between Investors, Angel Investors, and VCS 57:15 Most Important Step When Securing Grants 01:00:05 The Ins and Outs of Brand Partnerships Stay Connected with Muna Follow Muna on Instagram Follow Muna on Linkedin Stay Up to Date with Le French Conversation Get the Making the Brand Workbook HERE Book a 1:1 officehrs session with Brittany of Not So CEO HERE Subscribe to the Not So CEO newsletter The Paper HERE Follow Not So CEO on Socials Instagram Tiktok

Join us in this inspiring conversation as we sit down with Kemetria Lilly, a trailblazing boutique industry veteran and educator, who has turned her passion for fashion into a multi-million dollar empire. Kemetria shares her remarkable journey from launching Lilly’s Kloset in 2012 with just $2,500 to grossing over $30 million in sales. With over a decade of experience in retail and small business development, Kemetria offers practical advice and key strategies for aspiring entrepreneurs on how to turn their dreams into reality. About Kemetria Lilly Kemetria Lilly is the powerhouse behind Lilly’s Kloset, a women’s apparel brand known for offering fashion-forward clothing without compromising on quality, cost, or comfort. With a background rich in retail and small business development, Kemetria has established herself as a leading authority in the boutique industry. She has built a thriving business and empowered countless entrepreneurs through her educational venture, Learn With Lilly, where she shares her knowledge on everything from trend forecasting to marketing strategies. In This Episode We Discuss: Practical, cost-effective ways for entrepreneurs to gain the necessary skills to build a successful business. Steps to turn your idea into a reality to go from passion to profit. Strategies for building a strong online presence and engaging with followers on social media. Financial advice for new entrepreneurs on managing and scaling investments. Tips for maintaining customer loyalty and creating a brand that resonates with your audience. Chapters 0:00 Introduction 2:47 How We Met 7:32 Lilly’s Background 10:28 Searching For Purpose After College 12:24 Taking the Reigns and Building Lilly’s Kloset 14:57 Scaling into a Multi-Million Dollar Brand 16:25 Creating Her Own Lane 19:03 Overcoming Key Challenges to Ensure Success 20:47 Effective Ways for Entrepreneurs to Educate Themselves 26:17 How to Turn Your Passion Into Profit 29:48 Strategies for Building a Strong Online Presence 32:16 Financial Advice for Scaling a Business 35:22 Tips on Creating Customer Loyalty 38:33 Insights on Curating Product Collections That Meet Customer Expectations 41:31 Building a Brick & Mortar Store 44:48 How to Integrate Your Mission Into Your Business Model Keep Up With Lilly Online https://www.instagram.com/accordingtolilly/ https://www.instagram.com/lillyskloset/ Learn From Lilly Learn With Lilly Boutique Bootcamp Get the Making the Brand Workbook HERE Book a 1:1 officehrs session with Brittany of Not So CEO HERE Subscribe to the Not So CEO newsletter The Paper Follow Not So CEO on Socials Instagram Tiktok