The Create Your Life Series is for Self-starters looking to live life on their own terms. Join award winning entrepreneur, author and speaker Kevin Y. Brown as he shares the Strategies Behind the Successes of today’s Trailblazers by uncovering experiences, daily habits and defining moments of high achievers from around the world. Learn more at cylseries.com
Episodes
Friday Dec 29, 2017
Friday Dec 29, 2017
About our Guest:
Su is the CEO & Co-founder at WeDidIt, a New York-based tech company that helps nonprofit organizations fundraise online. For the last 6 years, Su has helped hundreds of nonprofit organizations raise funds and find new donors through WeDidIt's innovative technology. Some of WeDidit’s customers include Amnesty International, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, NYC Coalition Against Hunger, LA Zoo, and Stupid Cancer. and he is now working on a new venture called dollaride on the side.
Episode Summary:
Su takes us on his journey of failing in one startup to creating two successful companies. He teaches us the importance of flexibility, how self awareness has helped him in his partnership and how to run a company as a non – technical founder.
Insight from this episode:
- Strategies to create a strong team
- how to bounce back after your company fails
- The importance of sales experience and how to acquire the selling skill
- Why and how saying No is a superpower The importance of self-awareness to learn where your gaps are as an entrepreneur
- The benefits and challenges of being a non-technical co-founder
- The importance and ways to build trust in a partnership
- How to stay grounded after receiving norotoriety and funding
- Keys to setting and accomplishg goals as a team
- Keys to a successful relationship
- Su was inspired to quit his job and go into the non profit world because of 1 question from his mom
Quotes from the show:
“Choose to work on projects or at companies or in ventures where you'ree going to enjoy the process more than the end result” Su Sanni episode #96
I don't let dreams stay dreams, I put the work in, I bend the world to my will in order to make it happen - Su Sanni ep #97
“You have to be humble enough to know that you don’t know everything and bold enough to ask questions to people who know more than you” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #97
“Being right means nothing when you loose everything” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #97
Resources Mentioned:
Favorite Book:
Favorite Quote:
- “If you will it, it is no dream” - Theodor Herzl
3 keys to Create Your Best Life:
- Make long-term goals but try to enjoy the journey towards those goals - fall in love with process not the end result
- Surround yourself with mentors and people who have been there and done that
- Create a habit of learning
Stay Connected:
Create Your Life Series:
https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/
https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/
Kevin:
Su Sanni:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sulaimansanni
https://twitter.com/thesusanni
https://www.facebook.com/ssanni
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.
Friday Dec 22, 2017
Friday Dec 22, 2017
Episode Summary
Listeners (CYLS family) call in and share their stories and expertise on how they have got others to invest in them and tips that they have for making yourself a investible asset.
Insight from this episode:
Tips to get others to invest in you:
Listener #1 Nicole Anderson, California Educaator
- follow your calling
- pay attention to peoples leadership skills
- understand that this is a long term investment
Listener #2 Andrew Johnson, ESPN:
- Invest in people who invest with you
- Loyalty,
- Invest in loyal friends
Listener #3 Jodi-Kay Williams, rising attorney at law:
- Aspiration and desire to be in a better place
- Willingness to accept help
- Look for the win - win
- Be bold enough to reach out
- Have a skillset
Stay Connected:
Create Your Life Series:
https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/
https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/
Kevin:
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.
Friday Dec 15, 2017
Friday Dec 15, 2017
About our Guest:
Raphael is the owner of ricardos steak house, corner social, mintons playhouse and the cecil steak house as well as an executie chef, who uses his culinary mastery to incite creativity and fun with food. He is also the exectuive producer for east harlem presents which is a performing-arts venue with a multi-use art gallery space & independent programming. He is also the owner and artistic director of the Poet's Den Theater & Gallery and founder of the east harlem international film festival.
Episode Summary
Raphael talks about his journey immigrating to the United states, going into the family business. He breaks down his goal setting process, secrets to his decision making when taking on a new project and his secrets to creating a great team.
Insight from this episode:
- Why trusting your gut and taking risks is important even against a great opportunity Why Raphael turned down his internship opportunity on the first day to follow his intuition
- The 4 step process to making a decision before taking on
a new project including opening a restaurant How to play to your strength
- Business tips for selling art
- Why money is not in the top 3 of opening a business
- Secrets to aligning great partnerships
- Raphaels rejuvenating rituals
- Money is not what is going to make the business
Quotes:
“Dont ever do anything for monetary reasons, money is always the by product of what you do” - Raphael Benevidas episode #94
Anyone can paint art, but it takes a genius to sell it” - Raphael Benevidas episode #94
Resources Mentioned:
Cell phone
Favorite Book: Brains on fire
Favorite Quote: “If you never try, youll never know if it could have been”?
3 keys to Create Your Best Life:
- Be passionate about whatever you do
- Nurture your personal relationships
- Dont ever do anything for monetary reasons
Stay Connected:
Kevin:
Guest Name:
www.eastharlempresents.org
https://twitter.com/poetsdentheater
https://www.facebook.com/raphael.baccus
Email: raphael@mintonsharlem.com
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.
Friday Dec 08, 2017
Friday Dec 08, 2017
About our Guest:
Currently Head of Business Operations Management, North America at StubHub, formerly, Lead Counsel for the Global Infrastructure, Development, and Operations (“Inbound”) Commercial Legal team at Facebook Award winning attorney, receiving the Excellence in Legal Innovation award from national bar association, 40 under 40 from both the Digital Diversity Network and national bar associations . she is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley (BA, Mass Communications), St. Mary’s College of California (MBA), the University of California, Los Angeles (MA, African-American Studies), and the University of California, Hastings College of Law (JD). She is also very active in her community as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Links, Incorporated, and in political organizing and fundraising at the local, state, and national level. An Oakland native, she and her husband, Jaime, live in Oakland with their two children.
About this Episode:
Bari discusses overcoming hiring disappointment from google, quitting her job, creating the supplier diversity program at Facebook through pitching a dynamic presentation to the CFO all while being a mom, wife, daughter and friend.
Insight from this episode:
- The importance of following good advice
- Why and how law school can be an advantageous career
choice
- The difference between constructive and destructive law
- Secrets to supporting your partner and keeping a strong relationship throughout challenges
- Keys to staying focused on your grind
- Breaking through to be your authentic self in the workplace and in every aspect of your life
- Overcoming depression
- Delayed is not Denied
- “Take jobs if you can at the beginning of the year because that’s when budgets are set” - Bari A. Williams episode #
- The power of vulnerability and trust
- Strategies to create of a compelling presentation
- How to get what you want: know yourself, know your circle and
Resources Mentioned:
Favorite Book:
The Loneliness of the Black Republican
Favorite Quote:
“Expect what you Accept” - Grandma Bettye Sudduth & Bari A. Wiliams Episode #93
3 keys to Create Your Best Life:
- Expect What You Accept
- Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude
- Find & Master something that you are passionate about
- Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do.
- When it’s everybody else, it’s actually you
Stay Connected:
Kevin:
Guest Name:
www.instagram.com/bari.a.williams
https://twitter.com/bariawilliams
https://www.facebook.com/bari.a.williams
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.
Monday Dec 04, 2017
Monday Dec 04, 2017
Episode Summary
Henry provides us his secrets to being a revered 8 plus year CEO by establishing a great company culture and a vision that his team will be on board with. He also discusses the different types of leadership and when to implement the different styles.
Insight from this episode:
- The importance of Fatherhood
- How Henry’s mom impacted his life and showed him the meaning of hardwork and dedication
- Secrets to being a great CEO
- The power and impact that every job has on your journey
- Learning humility through working hard
- Establishing a great company culture and a vision that your team will be on board with and execute.
- The Misconceptions about the CEO Role
- Secrets to work life balance
- Secrets getting your employees on baord with your vision
- Icebreakers to improve employee moral
- The importance and value that transparency has with your team
- The Different types of leadership styles and when to implement the different styles
Quotes from the show:
“Two things that you must do, that must come from you as the team leader, you have to have a vision and be able to articulate that vision and you have to be able to manage your culture.” – Henry Thompson Episode #92
Resources Mentioned:
- https://www.eclinicalworks.com/
- chcrichmond.org
- careers@chcrichmond.org
Favorite Book:
Favorite Quote:
“Go Hard or Go Home” - Unknown
3 keys to Create Your Best Life:
- Be comfortable with the person in the mirror
- Have people in your life that will hold you accountable, understand the people that you have with you
- Have passion for whatever you do
Stay Connected:
Create Your Life Series:
https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/
https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/
Kevin:
Guest Name:
www.chcrichmond.com
hthompson@chcrichmond.org
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.
Friday Dec 01, 2017
Friday Dec 01, 2017
Episode Summary:
Changa highlights how his near death experience and changed his lifestyle choices and diet, his travels around the world, being a father of 6 and working as a team with his wife to create new opportunities
Insight from this episode:
- Secrets to the entire Yoga lifestyle
- Supportive techniquest to keep your inner peace
- How to find yourself by living and stepping out of your comforzone even in a foreign land
- Learning to be borderless
- The 7 princples of mindfulness
- Understanding the power of telling others what they can do vs. what they should do
- Finding peace in what you enjoy
- Secrets to selecting a great partner
Quotes from the show:
“I always tell people that leadership is lonely, so I became a leader of myself” - Changa Bell Episode #90
Resources Mentioned:
- https://www.getharvest.com/
- paypal.com
Favorite Book:
- Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It
- Auto-Biography of a Yogi
- Auto- Biography of Malcolm X
- The invisible Man
- In Search of Identity an Autobiography
Favorite Quote:
Great doubt: great awakening. Little doubt: little awakening. No doubt: no awakening. - Zen Koan
3 keys to Create Your Best Life:
- Hug on, hold on, don’t let go of peace
- Be Authentic
- Be curious with compassion
Stay Connected:
Create Your Life Series:
https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/
https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/
Kevin:
Guest Name:
http://www.Instagram.com/changabell
http://www.twitter.com/changabell
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.
Friday Dec 01, 2017
Friday Dec 01, 2017
About our Guest:
Marjuan Canady, a native Washingtonian with Trinidadian/African-American roots, is an award winning writer, actress, playwright, director, educator and producer for both film and the stage. Canady is the founder and CEO of her multi-media production company, Sepia Works.
She is the CEO / Author / Co-creator of the children’s media brand Callaloo. Originally conceived as a theatrical play, Marjuan has led her team in building Callaloo into a brand consisting of books, puppet shows, digital content, animation, arts education programming and merchandise. Canady’s first children’s book Callaloo: A Jazz Folktale was published in 2013 in which she received the 2013 First Time Author’s Award from the National Library of Trinidad and Tobago. School of the Arts
Episode Summary:
Learning through failure, being rejected from roles, creating a global children’s brand, trusting her gut, having 6 jobs at once , touring and growing her performance fee, writing her own original work & bringing youth of color to the theater
Insight from this episode:
- How to find the passion to create your original work
- Keys to knowing you are enough
- Strategies to overcoming depression and downtimes on your journey
- How to grow your fee’s
- Marjuan shares her superpower that she earned from her rejections
- Strategies to overcome stereotypes
- Marjuan gives a live performance of characters from her one woman show and play
- Steps to become and remain a profitable artist
- The power of your friend group pushing you to the next level
- How to be supportive and winning as a team
- The importance of saying “No”
Quotes from the show:
“You can’t just be one thing” – Marjuan Canady Episode #91
Resources Mentioned:
Favorite Book:
Favorite Quote:
“If you don’t see you in the world, Script Your Story” –Marjuan Canady Episode #91
3 keys to Create Your Best Life:
- Be patient and be patient with yourself
- Do The Work
- Enjoy the process
Stay Connected:
Create Your Life Series:
https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/
https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/
Kevin:
Guest Name:
https://www.instagram.com/marjuancanady
https://twitter.com/marjuancanady
https://www.facebook.com/Callaloothebook
https://www.instagram.com/callaloothebook
www.twitter.com/callaloothebook
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.
Friday Nov 24, 2017
Friday Nov 24, 2017
About our Guest:
Everette Taylor is a four-time entrepreneur, marketing executive, public speaker and writer. His entrepreneurial career started at the age of 19 with his first company which was acquired 2 years later. Since then he has started three multi-million dollar companies: the marketing firm MilliSense where he serves as CEO, co-founded GrowthHackers.com where he served as VP of Growth, and recently founded the company PopSocial – the software company that provides affordable solution for brands to grow on social media where he also serves as CEO.
About this Episode:
In this episode Everette speaks very candidly about his high school homeless experience, dropping out of college, battling depression to becoming a top tech marketer and now running 3 multi- million dollar companies.
Insight from this episode:
- How to channel your internal happiness
- Keys to working smarter not harder
- The power of trust
- Secrets to scaling your company to $3 million in revenue in 15 months
- How Everette overcame being homeless and stayed motivated in spite of his circumstances
- The three sides to a person
- The three skills you need to have to be successful in todays world
- ** Everyone needs to know how to code and to have an understanding of the digital space
- ** Engineers in tech are trying to cut you out
Quotes:
“Skillset is the new currency” - Kevin Y. Brown episode #89
The #1 thing people miss when it comes to marketing is the product or service itself - Everette Taylor Episode #89
Resources Mentioned:
Favorite Quote:
“Who You Are Today Is Not Good Enough For Tomorrow” - Everette Taylor Episode #89
Favorite Book:
3 keys to Create Your Best Life:
- Self Care
- Stay True To Who You Are
- Build A Real Skillset
www.popsocial.co 25% off coupon code CYLS
Kevin:
Guest Name:
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.
Friday Nov 17, 2017
Friday Nov 17, 2017
About our Guest:
Lawrence E. Adjah is an entrepreneur and community builder dedicated to creating content, community and conversation that unites, heals and transforms lives.
He’s the Founder and Chair of Family Dinner Foundation, an international, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to connect the world as a family at, and beyond, the dinner table.
Episode Summary
Lawrence discusses building friendships and relationships as an adult, the challenges of running a global volunteer organization and the importance of a network vs. people who actually care about you.
Insight from this episode:
- Lawrence’s background as a Nigerian American growing up in New Jersey and its influence, plus his Olympic dreams and change of focus for his personal goals
- The unintentional creation of Our Family Dinner in 2008 based on a responsibility to friend feeling depressed and lost in an unknown city
- Taking the idea of extended family and bringing it to the dinner table and creating a viral movement around it
- Overcoming the challenges he faced building a global non-profit through taking ownership, building a sustainable/scalable business model, & understanding that friendship and relationships are everything
- Next steps for Lawrence and his foundation: continuing to serve around the world and helping to build relationships & friendships
You’ll learn:
- Why Lawrence founded the Family Dinner Foundation
- How to a worldwide team through understanding the mission and the fundamentals
- How to scale up a global volunteer organization
- The fundamentals of Networks vs. Relationships and the importance of genuine friendships in business
- How Lawrence has accomplished growing the brand globally and empowering a volunteer global staff to further the reach of his brand
- The keys to empowering people to partner with you financially
- The two different type of dinners that exist for the organization
- Tips to train volunteers remotely
Quotes from our guest:
“ If anything, I said just by osmosis how much can I grow and How much can I learn” - Lawrence Adjah episode #88
“Our mission is to connect the world as a family over the dinner table” - Lawrence Adjah episode #88
“Our tradition is everybody eats at the family dinner table” - Lawrence Adjah episode #88
“Something magical happens over a meal” - Lawrence Adjah Episode #88
“Family means everybody” - Lawrence Adjah Episode #88
Resources Mentioned:
Favorite Books:
- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch & Jeffrey Zaslow
- Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community by Martin Luther King, Jr
Favorite Quotes:
- “But from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.” Moses from Deuteronomy 4:29 The Bible
- “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Paul from 2 Timothy 1:7 The Bible
3 keys to Create Your Best Life:
- Have faith
- Be courageous
- Use your greatest asset to meet your greatest need
Stay Connected:
Create Your Life Series:
https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/
https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/
Kevin:
Guest Name:
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.
Monday Nov 13, 2017
Monday Nov 13, 2017
About our Guests:
- Shaun Lynda started out from humble beginnings, raised by a single mom and his sister in government housing he excelled in sports and academics. Shaun graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and Finance. He later went on to work on Wall Street for Chase Manhattan Bank, Paine Webber and American Express. Being in a tower during 9/11 was a turning point for him that lead him to branch out on his own in 2002 to launch his online business, NicNatDirect.com, and flip real estate property in Brooklyn. Later in 2006 Shaun’s desire to pass on the knowledge that he had gained over his career to the next generation lead to the concept of CLEAN.
- Dionne Nicholls as a young girl, was inspired by high-powered, female New Yorkers from 80's sitcoms, like Claire Huxtable, a Lawyer on the infamous Cosby Show, and Angela Bower, an Advertising Executive on Who's the Boss. However, Dionne's passion was for fashion. Watching her single mother work two jobs to provide for her 4 children, Dionne was not afraid to roll up her sleeves to pursue her dream. In 2015 she found her calling that lead her away from the fashion industry. The opportunity to empower youth for generations resonated with her instantly.
Episode Summary
Shaun and Dionne discuss their journey's of switching careers and now investing in tomorrow’s leaders by teaching them financial literacy. They reveal their secrets of being a dynamic team and stretching their business to NBA rookies and beyond.
Insight from this episode:
- The goal and concept behind Financially CLEAN, a fun and interactive program with a mission to help younger generations build a financial plan around their personal goals
- The beginning of Financially CLEAN from the motivation of their kids and the education they felt their children were missing
- Working with the Department of Education and other government agencies
- Two Black Guys with Good Credit, a weekly podcast that educates, entertains, and inspires others to achieve financial goals
You’ll learn:
- How to understand your partner's abilities and ways to work more efficient together
- Tips that will help you embrace your journey
- Strategies to building your audience through networking
- How to successfully get beyond the funding challenge
- Ways to keep motivation moving forward
- The components of starting a podcast and making an impact through its growth
- The keys to balancing work and personal life as an entrepreneur and a parent
Quotes:
“If you don’t balance lifestyle with financial literacy, you’ll never be successful” - Shaun Lynda Episode #87
“Know that your goals can always be a moving target” - Shaun Lynda Episode #87
“You have to see for yourself, jump out there”- Kevin Y. Brown Episode #87
Resources Mentioned:
Shaun’s Favorites:
- Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun? by Reginald Lewis & Blair Walker
- “When one door closes, another opens” Alexander Graham Bell
Dionne’s Favorites:
- You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay
- “Success is not about your resources. It’s about how resourceful you are with what you have!” Tony Robbins
Shaun’s Keys to Create Your Best Life:
- Be confident, don’t let anyone steal your confidence
- Master your field of interest
- Perseverance- enjoy the journey
- Have fun
Dionne’s Keys to Create Your Best Life:
- Surround yourself with positive people
- Put pen to paper
- Keep a “gratitude attitude”
Stay Connected:
Create Your Life Series:
https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/
https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/
Kevin:
Shaun:
Instagram @financiallycleanshaun
Dionne:
Instagram @dionnenicholls
Facebook @dionne.nicholls
Twitter @dee2blackguys
Financially CLEAN:
http://www.financiallyclean.com/
Instagram @financiallyclean
Twitter @FinancialClean
Facebook @financiallyclean
Two Black Guys with Good Credit:
Instagram @twoblackguysgoodcredit
Twitter @tbgwgc2
Facebook @TwoBlackGuysWithGoodCredit
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.