The Kickback With Keri: Black Entrepreneurship & Business Spotlights

#48 Going viral on social media can bring millions of views and new customers to a small product-based business. But how do you turn that attention into sustainable business growth? Corine Marie is an author, entrepreneur, and founder of The Bookmark by Corine Marie, the brand behind the viral “bookmark purse” that turns books into wearable accessories. Through social media, Corine has introduced her products to millions of viewers and built a community of book lovers. In this episode, she shares the pros and cons of going viral, how to use social media marketing to grow a small business, and what it takes to manage increased demand. We also discuss how to protect your product designs from copycats through design patents and trademarks, why customer feedback matters when developing new products, and how to turn customer interest into opportunities for business growth. If you're a small business owner looking to grow a product-based business, turn social media attention into sales, and build a brand that lasts, this episode is for you. Episode Links: → Shop The Bookmark https://www.bycorinemarine.com → Follow on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@bycorinemarie → Follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bycorinemarie/ 🎙️ I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. 📲 Connect with me https://www.kerihenderson.com/links 📧 Subscribe to The Kickback With Keri Newsletter https://www.kerihenderson.com/newsletter Enjoying the podcast? Support the show Content Creation Made Easy: Descript for video & audio editing https://get.descript.com/kerihenderson RSS.com for podcast hosting https://rss.com/?via=keri-pod Favorite products https://www.kerihenderson.com/must-haves The links above are affiliate links. I’ll receive a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my work! Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.

#47 Healthy food isn’t foreign to Black communities. By design, many communities lack access to it. Brandon Starkes, is the founder and CEO of The People’s Market, a DMV-based fresh produce delivery service connecting consumers with local farmers. In this episode, he shares how he’s working to reshape access to healthy food while creating lasting community impact. Brandon explains how he built relationships with local farmers without an agricultural background, why supporting local food systems matters, and how strategic partnerships helped him expand beyond produce delivery with the launch of The Blk Food Truck. We also discuss the challenges of scaling a service-based business quickly, the importance of exceptional customer service, and how building the right relationships can help Black entrepreneurs grow their businesses while serving their communities. If you’re interested in food access in Black communities, supporting local farmers, growing a purpose-driven business, or using entrepreneurship to create meaningful community change, this episode is for you. Episode Links: → Order from The People’s Market https://www.thepeoplesmarketdmv.com/ → The People’s Market on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepeoplesmarketdmv → The People’s Market on Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@thepeoplesmarketdmv → The Black Food Truck on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/blkfoodtruck 🎙️ I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. 📲 Connect with me https://www.kerihenderson.com/links 📧 Subscribe to The Kickback With Keri Newsletter https://www.kerihenderson.com/newsletter Enjoying the podcast? Support the show Content Creation Made Easy: Descript for video & audio editing https://get.descript.com/kerihenderson RSS.com for podcast hosting https://rss.com/?via=keri-pod Favorite products https://www.kerihenderson.com/must-haves The links above are affiliate links. I’ll receive a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my work! Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.

#46 When it feels like nothing changes no matter who you vote for, it’s easy to tune out. But voter apathy comes at a cost. When we stop participating, we give up opportunities to shape our communities and hold elected officials accountable. In this solo episode, I break down why voting matters, how to make your vote count, and how local elections affect your daily life from school curriculum and voting laws to data centers, utility costs, and healthcare. I explore why people feel apathetic about voting, the history of voter suppression and voting rights in America, and what generations before us fought for to secure the right to vote. After visiting the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Sites in Montgomery, Alabama, I reflect on the literacy tests once used to prevent Black Americans from voting and why we cannot take that hard-won right for granted. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why local elections matter and how elected officials’ decisions affect your everyday life How voter suppression has shaped voting rights in America, past and present Why voting is a tool for change, even when no candidate is perfect How to hold elected officials accountable after Election Day Why early voting is worth considering and how to make a plan to vote How to take steps to ensure your mail-in ballot is received and counted Voting won’t solve every problem, but it gives us a way to participate in democracy and help shape the future of our communities. If you’ve ever wondered whether your vote makes a difference, felt frustrated with elected officials, or questioned how to make your vote count, this episode is for you. Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.

#45 You hit the promotion, the client, the goal, and you’re more exhausted than ever. Radiance Davis is the founder of FlyFitLawyerChick and a women’s leadership and wellbeing advisor. In this episode, we discuss burnout, boundaries, and how ambitious women can redefine success without wearing themselves thin. Radiance shares practical strategies for managing your time and energy, setting boundaries, prioritizing rest, and making space for the things that bring you joy. She also explains why workplace wellness matters, what law firms and organizations can do to retain their people, and how to navigate career transitions with intention. If you’re balancing a demanding career, building a business, or figuring out what your next chapter looks like, this conversation is a reminder that you can pursue meaningful work without losing yourself in the process. Episode Links: → Radiance on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/radiancedavis/ → Radiance on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theflyfitlawyerchick → Learn more at https://www.theflyfitlawyerchick.com 🎙️ I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. 📲 Connect with me https://www.kerihenderson.com/links 📧 Subscribe to The Kickback With Keri Newsletter https://www.kerihenderson.com/newsletter Enjoying the podcast? Support the show Content Creation Made Easy: Descript for video & audio editing https://get.descript.com/kerihenderson RSS.com for podcast hosting https://rss.com/?via=keri-pod Riverside for podcast recording https://affiliate.riverside.com/keri-pod Favorite products https://www.kerihenderson.com/must-haves The links above are affiliate links. I’ll receive a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my work! Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.

#44 Ever scroll past a brand’s controversial post and feel yourself getting pulled into the argument? That reaction may be exactly what they’re counting on. So how do you build a brand people trust, protect your intellectual property from copycats, and avoid getting played by brands that profit from your outrage? In this Kickback Briefing, I break down the controversial Converse ad and the rise of rage bait marketing, the OutKast intellectual property lawsuit involving rapper Ovrkast, and the NFL’s brand identity and authenticity issues, including lessons from Colin Kaepernick and the league’s approach to social justice messaging. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to recognize rage marketing before you engage, and why brands use controversy to stay in the algorithm How to build brand trust and loyalty through authenticity, and why mixed messaging damages your brand identity Why knowing your target audience, brand values, and what you want to be known for is the foundation of a strong brand Why intellectual property protection matters for small businesses and creators, and what trademarking your business name can protect What the NFL, OutKast, and Converse can teach entrepreneurs about brand strategy, marketing, and building a business people trust Episode Links: → All Hip Hop → Law Commentary 🎙️ I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. 📲 Connect with me https://www.kerihenderson.com/links 📧 Subscribe to The Kickback With Keri Newsletter https://www.kerihenderson.com/newsletter Enjoying the podcast? Support the show Content Creation Made Easy: Descript for video & audio editing https://get.descript.com/kerihenderson RSS.com for podcast hosting https://rss.com/?via=keri-pod Riverside for podcast recording https://affiliate.riverside.com/keri-pod Favorite products https://www.kerihenderson.com/must-haves The links above are affiliate links. I’ll receive a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my work! Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.