Shannon Thomas is the founder of Undiwash, a plant based vegan laundry detergent used to kill the bacteria known to cause vaginal infections. While working in an OB/GYN office, Shannon noticed some of the most common issues that women were experiencing were recurrent yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis.

Imani Keal is the content creator behind Imani At Home, a DC-based home & lifestyle blog. She believes all people, regardless if they rent or own, should invest in their happiness by improving the spaces in which they live. Through her Instagram and blog, Imani shares renter-friendly DIYs and tips for the design-obsessed millennial.

Rajni Rao is the owner and curator of DC-based Jungli Vintage, a colorful and funky vintage pop-up shop that focuses on the 70s, 80s, and 90s vintage. Although she has been thrifting for years, Rajni has owned this business for almost 3 years. Her racks of clothing are always filled with patterns, bold colors, and accessories that will make you smile.

Flynanced empowers ambitious professionals to effortlessly build wealth by earning more in their 9-5 careers without shame. Our award-winning, community-led platform provides a proprietary curriculum to teach financial literacy and career advancement. We're dedicated to redistributing wealth back into the hands of Black professionals with 275,000+ followers and 1,000+ students and counting.

Flynanced is back for a part 2 episode! In this episode, Cinneah El-Amin takes questions from 9-5 hotties looking to make their next career move.

Doug Adams the owner of New Brooklyn Farms. New Brooklyn Farms is an independently owned and operated urban farm and green event space, located on a formerly vacant residential lot in the heart of the Washington DC suburb Mount Rainier, MD.
During his off time from his advertising career, Doug Adams made smoothies and juices made of natural ingredients.

 @emmagmusic, author, award-winning writer, two-time TedX speaker, and youth empowerment coach. Emma uses the magic of music to uplift and motivate audiences worldwide.
Born with a rare neurological condition called hydrocephalus, Emma G has recovered from multiple traumas including 10 brain surgeries by writing and singing her truth, sharing her experiences, and turning her lessons into blessings.

Anetra is a certified Personal Stylist and  Image Consultant based in the Richmond, VA area. Since launching Nee Chic in 2014, Anetra has partnered with retailers and boutiques such as Dillard’s, Ann Taylor and Banana Republic, as well as Short Pump Town Center, to offer the best clothing and accessories for her clients.

Miles Martin, Co-founder of Relai.
With Relai, selling and picking up products just became a lot easier. Miles Martin and his co-founder Tracy Tann Jr. came together during quarantine to build a company called Relai. It’s a last mile startup that builds apps for exchange zones. Using these exchange zones, buyers and sellers can store products in a locker for pickup!

Tori, an investor at Vera Equity, specializes in early-stage enterprise software and AI startups. She earned her MBA from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. During her time at Wharton, Tori was awarded the inaugural Hettie Simmons Love fellowship and the Edward B. Shils/Leonard L. Zeidman Fellowship in Entrepreneurship. She also held key positions as Managing Partner of the Dorm Room Fund and VC Fellow at Harlem Capital.

LaVetta B. Goldsborough, MBA, Refinement Coach. Through education and empowerment via individual and group activities and training, My Optimal Image helps leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to achieve to maximize their potential and quality of life. Focusing on personal and professional refinement, etiquette, and protocols, LaVetta guides individuals in several key areas, such as business and wine etiquette, personal image and style, confidence in presentations and leadership, and handling difficult situations with grace.

CampSpaces is a brick & mortar  franchise concept that offers physical spaces and full-service content experiences for production teams, business owners and marketing professionals. Campspaces’s flagship location is in Hyattsville, Maryland right outside of Washington, DC. Built out of a necessity for entrepreneurs looking for a place to work, CampSpaces launched in 2016. While working as a coworking space, Patrice noticed that creators were booking the space on weekends for photoshoots and filming content.

Burrell Brown, owner of Street Smart Tailoring, a mobile tailoring company based in Washington, DC. Burrell is a data scientist by day and a tailor at all other times. Perfecting his tailoring skills with the help of YouTube, Burrell has found so much joy, fulfillment and purpose through connecting with his clients and helping people feel confident in how they look.

Terrance Diggs, a Baltimore - area based designer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and all around creative. He is most notably making his mark as creative director of the streetwear and lifestyle brand, D17. Founded in 2016, the Towson University graduate has used his combined passion for athletics and design too create a diverse portfolio of designs for Maryland creatives and brands. He’s partnered with several athletic teams in the Maryland area as well as worked for Asics on global social media campaigns such as the 2020 Olympics, BAPE, and denim tears just to name a few. D17 is more than just a clothing brand.

Kait and Joe Brown realized how expensive and stressful planning a wedding would be and decided they would make a huge effort to save everywhere they could without sacrificing the look and feel they wanted for their big day. The couple decided to get resourceful and utilized second-hand items, major discounts, and even building their own decor.

Terrence Wheeler, founder of Lumiere Vodka. Lumiere- which stands for Light Vodka was put through 51 iterations before developing the flavorful, aromatic, and aesthetically pleasing drink that it is today. Terrence created his own vodka from scratch in his dorm room at Hampton University as an alternative to the popular college party drink, Jungle Juice. He named it "Litty Juice" and sold it for $5. Now Lumiere Vodka is sold in 49 states excluding Alaska.

Anne Thomas had an unlikely path to the art studio.  After graduating from the University of Maryland in 2003 with a degree in History, she began her career working on Capitol Hill.  Later she transitioned to the Commerce Department where she got to travel the world and work with Cabinet members.  She finished her time there as Deputy Press Secretary and transitioned to private sector work at a leading global public relations firm in 2007.  Marriage, four babies, and part-time PR work followed. 

Chelse Prejean - founder of Smoky Mmmeats a plant based meat company based in Washington, DC. Smoky meats believes that when it comes to feeding and providing a more sustainable future, we don’t have to sacrifice quality. Our positive choices no matter how small can have a huge impact on our health, our local communities, and our planet. Smoky meats provides their customers with nourishing plant based meats that not only have natural ingredients and a sustainable packaging, but the best tasting quality plant- based meats possible.

Chanel Person, a cosmetic chemist and founder of Marie Methods.
Marie Methods is a cosmetics research and development laboratory located in Maryland. It provides formulation and development services for indie beauty brands. The areas of formulation and development include hair care, skincare, and makeup.

The end of a season is only the beginning of a new journey. Thank you for joining us on this wild ride. See you soon for season 2!

In this episode, Amber takes you down memory lane to recap our most watch, most shared, and most inspired episodes of season 1 based on our fan favorites!

Desaray Garland, owner of Sknnself, a lip oil and lip scrub line based out of Virginia Beach.SKNNSELF BY DESARAY provides hand crafted, easy to use, products that will elevate your “me time”. The mission of SKNNSELF BY DESARAY is to empower people to embrace their natural and authentic self while using the very same products proven to be effective by the founder herself. This line of products symbolizes facing your fears and ignoring the doubt. After three long years, Desaray is proud to share the result of her own healing journey.

Raven is an online beauty educator and content creator from Baltimore, MD currently living in New York City. Her dream's always been to inspire people worldwide to be their best selves and to feel beautiful. She's been creating content for well over ten years. Before creating content full-time, Raven worked with well-known brands; leading their social media marketing efforts, building their influencer marketing strategies, and connecting influencers to brands such as SheaMoisture, MADAM by Madam CJ Walker, and other brands at Unilever - one of America's leading parent brand for the beauty industry. Content creation has always been her creative escape from her 9-5.

Kelsey Russell is a content creator and full time graduate student at Teachers College, Columbia University. Through her platform, Russell breaks down articles from national and local newspapers and magazines to help her viewers discern information in a more palatable way.

Jenna Levine Liu, founder and president of Sixx Cool Moms

Sixx Cool Moms is a national network of social groups for moms. Sixx currently operates 45 chapters across 13 states, with over 110k active and engaged members. Using her decade of media and advertising experience, Jenna turned a traditionally free medium into a profitable space for advertisers to reach local moms on a personal level, and for moms to connect with each other and foster life changing friendships.

Nia Imani captivated audiences as a natural haircare influencer on YouTube, collaborating with industry giants like Mielle Organics, The Mane Choice, and Shea Moisture. But with over 125,000 subscribers on YouTube, she knew it was time to harness her expertise for her own brand. Introducing Imania Beauty, where luxury meets natural. Nia created a High Maintenance Elixir, a multipurpose hair and scalp oil infused with a blend of broad-spectrum CBD and natural ingredients, meticulously formulated to stimulate hair growth, soothe the scalp, and lock in moisture.
Using her knowledge of digital marketing through influencing, Nia has built a large following on Instagram and a dedicated email list.

Stephanie Coradin.As the founder of DEMBO Inc, Stephanie brings over 18 years of expertise in leadership and development training, along with life coaching for individuals and groups across diverse industries. With an MBA and a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, her unique background equips her to uncover hidden barriers to growth and offer impactful solutions. Stephanie’s philosophy centers on the power of employee empowerment and dynamic leadership. She understands that when leaders prioritize valuing their team members and entrusting them with responsibility, it creates a culture where everyone is inspired to excel.

Kid Onyx was born out of Nia's passion to provide essential tools for the children she serves in the vibrant communities of Los Angeles, Compton, and Inglewood. As a social worker, Nia recognized the need for resources that truly resonated with the experiences of her young clients. Nia created Kings and Queens Emotion Cards, a revolutionary tool designed to help young black children identify and manage their emotions. In a time of heightened stress and uncertainty, especially during the pandemic, these cards offer a lifeline for children navigating through challenging emotions. With disruptions in schooling, sleeping schedules, and social interactions, it's more important than ever to equip children with the skills to manage their emotions effectively. The Kings and Queens Cards serve as a guiding light, helping children regain stability and confidence as they transition back to their everyday routines.

Terrance Brown holds over 36 years of combined military, law enforcement, and safety management with the US Air Force, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and Mercy Health Systems.  Joining the U.S. Air Force as a Security Forces Specialist in 1984, Terrence's service took him to Langley Air Force Base, Ghedi Air Base, and Nellis Air Base, where he played pivotal roles in securing vital resources and responding to threats. After his discharge following the Gulf War, Terrence transitioned into law enforcement, rising through the ranks to become a Master Patrolman with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police where he helped to suppress gang activity, trained with the Dignitary Witness Protection Unit, and worked with SWAT in a patrol capacity serving high risk warrants and conducting building searches.

Anthony McCray is a visionary photographer hailing from West Baltimore. Anthony's journey is nothing short of inspiring, having overcome profound challenges to discover his artistic passion.
Growing up in Park Heights, Anthony faced adversity on multiple fronts, from external threats to personal struggles within his own home. However, it was through these hardships that Anthony found solace and expression in the art of photography. What began as a means of escape blossomed into a transformative journey of self-discovery and artistic exploration.
Anthony's work is a testament to the power of photography as a medium for storytelling and reimagining representation.

Cassandra Whitlow, CRSa highly accomplished Recruiter, Career Coach, and Author.Cassandra began her career at IBM in Information Technology, later transitioning to Human Resources and Recruiting where she found her true passion. Her extensive experience spans across Fortune 500 companies in diverse industries like telecommunications, banking, transportation, and insurance.Driven by a deep desire to help individuals unlock their full potential, Cassandra’s expertise in talent acquisition and recruitment strategies has been instrumental in guiding organizations to attract top talent.

Tye Barrett, the owner of Amami, an Italian leather handbag brand based in Los Angeles. Tye’s mission to celebrate individuality and self-love shines through her brand’s collection ‘Me’. From climbing the corporate ladder at Disney and Warner Brothers to embracing her unique path as a single parent, Tye’s story is one of resilience, self-acceptance, and empowerment.

Zsameria Rayford - founder of Swapdc . Swap DC is a creative recycling event in Washington, D.C. That fosters a diverse community around swapping clothing for residence who want to reduce reuse and live a more sustainable life.
Did you know that the fashion industry is responsible for 8 to 10% of global missions according to the United Nations economic commissions. Swap DC aims to bring awareness to the consequences of consumerism on our environment and our culture.

Jan Receski is the founder and CEO of @OnPar Now. A state-of-the-art indoor golf instruction and practice space located in the newly renovated Terminal building in the Strip District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Jan wasn’t always a golfer.. the first time she ever picked up clubs was in a golf elective in college.. but after a 30 year career with The Hillman Company, a prominent Pittsburgh Family office where she worked in Data systems, she realized the profound impact golf has on both business and personal relationships. While discovering this, she also noticed golf left many people outside of the circle - those people being women. The led Jan to take matters into her own hands… create a space where all people can enjoy golf and the benefits the sports have on strengthening relationships. With an idea in the midst of a global pandemic and cashing out on her 401K to build a dream - Jan built OnPar Now from the ground up.

Arsha Jones- founder of Capital City Mambo Sauce was born and raised in Washington, DC. When she and her family moved to the suburbs, Arsha began making her own mambo sauce in her kitchen. Realizing she could give back to her community by creating “a taste of home,” Arsha and her family started marketing and selling the sauce now known as Capital City Mambo Sauce.
Today, you can find Capital City Mambo sauce in over 3,000 grocery stores, online - through their website and Amazon, and through several partnerships including the Washington Commanders, McDonald’s, and many more. In this episode, Arsha and I discuss growing up in the nation's capital, founding a mambo sauce company, and thirteen years later, how Arsha still feels like she's just getting started.

Arsha and her team package and ship her mambo sauces across the country. In this mini episode, Arsha talks to us about her keys to success, how she's been able to scale Capital City Mambo Sauce through partnerships in the community, and how she is intentional about letting the brand speak for itself rather than being front and center. Get ready to dive a little deeper on the founder behind this notable sauce.

Bilal was born in Togo, Africa, and moved to Hartford, Connecticut at 8 years old. Bilal started his wealth management journey at 19 years old through a nationally ranked internship program at Northwestern Mutual. He was the number one intern in the Northeast, ranking Top 10 nationally out of twenty five hundred interns in 2014 and 2015. Today Bilal Afolabi is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, a Chartered Financial Consultant, and founder and wealth management advisor at Chosen Advisory Group where he specializes  in working with pre-retirees/retirees and the emerging affluent. Bilal is a nationally ranked speaker on financial planning, speaker at the national medical conference, and has been in articles from the certified financial planning board.

Welcome back for season 3 of A Bright Idea Podcast! In this episode of A Bright Idea, I reflect on my journey as an entrepreneur and podcaster. There was no other person who could help me tell this story but my sister, Kayla. Join us to discuss our childhood in Pittsburgh, the entrepreneurial spirit instilled in us, and my transition from media sales to launching her podcast. Our conversation highlights the importance of storytelling, the challenges faced in the media industry, and the motivation behind creating a platform for black and brown businesses.

Dumi Mabhena founder of Shanda Studio - An AI- powered app that streamlines podcast production, making content creation effortless. Through Shanda Studio, users save time and effort editing their podcast through Shanda Studio’s text based audio editing and publishing features. Originally from Zimbabwe, Dumi Mabhena was inspired by the lack of diverse local stories in his home country and wanted to democratize podcasting by making the process easier for beginners. Dumi is a recent Georgetown MBA graduate who partnered with his co-founder, Paul Kassar with a background in software engineering, to create a user-friendly podcast editing platform.

Cedric Singleton, managing partner at J.Galt Financial Suite. We discuss the importance of building business credit, the differences between corporate and entrepreneurial environments, and the common pitfalls that small businesses face. Cedric shares insights from his extensive corporate career and emphasizes the need for effective management, simplified business planning, and strategic marketing to ensure business success. The conversation provides valuable advice for entrepreneurs looking to thrive in their ventures.

Jessica Smith, founder of the Mental Health Emergency Fund, is helping people in the Baltimore area afford therapy and medications while raising funding for those in need. Starting with her own mental health emergency fund to prioritize her mental health, Jessica saw how imperative it was to be able to have the money you need to take care of yourself.

Rebecca Caesar, founder of Tinted Health, a platform designed to enhance representation in healthcare. Rebecca shares her journey through the healthcare industry, her experiences as a Black woman in leadership, and the motivation behind creating Tinted Health. In this episode, we dive into the importance of diversity, cultural sensitivity training for providers, and how technology can empower patients to find healthcare that reflects their communities. Rebecca discusses the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, her vision for the future of Tinted Health, and the broader implications for diversity and inclusion in healthcare.

Aisha White, a dog groomer and owner of Haus Pups in based in Towson, Maryland. Aisha shares her inspiring journey from a challenging childhood marked by homelessness to finding her passion in dog grooming. She discusses the pivotal role animals played in her life, her dreams of becoming a veterinarian, and the various jobs she held before establishing her own business. Aisha shares her passion for creating a welcoming environment for pets, the challenges she faced in establishing her business, and her commitment to empowering others in her field.

Bryan Myers, the CEO of Solidcore, a boutique fitness studio that’s redefining what it means to build strength - mentally and physically. With over 130 locations across 25 states and DC, Bryan went from being a loyal Solidcore client to becoming its CEO, steering the company through remarkable growth while staying true to its core mission. Bryan and I talk about his unconventional path to entrepreneurship from advising fortune 500 companies as a consultant with The Boston Consulting Group, taking a leap of faith by becoming the director of DC founded start-up SweetGreen, to becoming one of only a few black CEO in the fitness space.

Lewis Pell is a contemporary artist from Pittsburgh, PA, Lewis Pell to talk about the idea of “the starving artist” and why this concept doesn’t exist anymore. We discuss how Lewis went from trying to climb the corporate ladder in the environmental science industry to becoming a full time artist.

Malik Roberts, also known as, Top Shelf Leek.In this episode, Malik and I talk about his music career and the importance of his early musical influences. We get into how he taught himself how to make music - a skill that’s actually harder than it seems and how 2020 was a turning point where he discovered he could turn his passion into a lucrative career. Later, he shares his experience on the evolving landscape of the industry, the business of music producing, the need for a respectful and safe environment in the industry, particularly for women, and advice for aspiring producers navigating their careers.

Adam Leeper, the CEO/Founder of Forge Achievement Coaching LLC. He’s a business coach bringing a unique blend of military leadership and AI expertise to help small businesses streamline, scale, and stay true to their mission. In this episode, Adam and I talk about the importance of finding one’s purpose, the skills he learned in the military that translate to entrepreneurship, and the significance of community and leadership in both personal and professional realms.