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
Tuesday Apr 23, 2019
Tuesday Apr 23, 2019
Episode summary:
Amanda and KJ eloquently and humorously walk listeners through their entrepreneurial journey to founding a very successful beauty brand for women of color. They talk about their vision, the importance of having a solid team working around them and a solid community supporting and challenging them.
About our Guests:
Amanda Johnson and KJ Miller are the founders of Mented, a cosmetics company dedicated to providing consistent, everyday beauty products for women of every shade. The two met at Harvard Business School but developed Mented later, while working corporate 9-5 jobs. Today, they are the 15th and 16th black women to have raised $1 million in venture capital.
Insights from this episode:
- How to make use of your network as a startup
- Strategies for locking down your first investors
- How to be proactive and mindful about building your team
- Secrets to continuing to innovate
- How to listen to constructive criticism and tune out the rest
Quotes from the show:
- “As cool of a strategy as it may seem to be able to say something is sold out, I’d much rather have the dollars in our bank account than the headline that we sold out.” - KJ Miller, Episode #166
- “We want women to always feel like they can come to us and get the product they want.” - Amanda Johnson, Episode #165
- “The jobs we had were the jobs we had to do, mented was the job we got to do.” - KJ Miller, Episode #165
- “At the base of it, there are really amazing women of color influencers out there talking about Mented, constantly introducing us to their audiences, reintroducing us if you will, and an enthusiastic community who wants to tell anybody and everybody they know.” - Amanda Johnson, Episode #165
- “It would be great if I had known when we started that yea there will be some really really heavy times and some tough times, but you know you’ll figure it out, you’ll work through it because that’s what you do and you build up almost like a muscle of working through really tough things and as that muscle gets stronger, you get better at it.” - KJ Miller, Episode #165
- “Goal setting methods: we pick a really big number, put it on the wall and we’re like that’s the number we’re going to hit next year.” - KJ Miller, Episode #165
Resources mentioned:
Favorite book:
- Amanda: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- KJ: Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan
Favorite quote:
- KJ: “Well behaved women seldom make history.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
- Amanda: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference.” - Robert Frost
3 keys to Create Your Best Life:
KJ:
- You are smarter and more capable than you’re probably giving yourself credit for
- There are going to be a lot of people along the way that will doubt you, but you’re the expert in you
- If it’s not fun, whatever the it is that you’re pursuing, you probably won’t be able to make it last
Amanda:
- Get you a strong group of people around you
- Stay curious
- Take care of your emotional health
Stay Connected:
Show Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/
https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/
Kevin Y Brown:
Amanda Johnson and KJ Miller:
www.instagram.com/mentedcosmetics
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.
Tuesday Apr 16, 2019
Tuesday Apr 16, 2019
Episode summary:
Kathryn talks about her journey to the legal team at Spotify. She talks about being a woman of color in a white-male-dominated world, the work ethic she employs to be successful, and how her family, friends and travel make it all worth it.
About our Guest:
Kathryn Hurley is the legal council for product and tech at Spotify. She spent five years on the legal team at MakerBot, a startup tech company based in New York that is leading the 3D-printing world. She earned her undergraduate degree at Howard University and attended Georgetown Law. She is also secretly the best driver she knows and would be a racecar driver if she wasn’t working in law.
Insights from this episode:
- How to make yourself irreplaceable to your boss
- How to get a great job (hint: it starts with applying for it)
- How to manage your social media as a representative of a big company
- How to make the most out of your networking
- Strategies for managing a crazy hectic schedule
Quotes from the show:
- On going after what you want: “Don’t be afraid to put in the work but know that it’s going to take a lot of work.” - Kathryn Hurley, Episode #165
- On pursuing jobs or careers that are traditionally dominated by people outside your demographic group: “You have to try.” - Kathryn Hurley, Episode #165
- “A lot of women, a lot of minorities, a lot of diverse candidates, we stop ourselves before we even try, because we don’t feel like we may get it and I think that that is something that has to absolutely stop.” - Kathryn Hurley, Episode #165
Resources mentioned:
Favorite book:
- The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton
- The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace by Jeff Hobbs
Favorite quote:
Kathryn’s motto: “I understand.” Because “so many conversations could just end when you let the other person know ‘I understand.’”
3 keys to Create Your Best Life:
- Travel a lot
- Save money; always have a nest
- Invest in loving the people around you and receiving their love
Stay Connected:
Show Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/
https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/
Kevin Y Brown:
Kathryn Hurley:
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.
Tuesday Apr 09, 2019
Tuesday Apr 09, 2019
Episode summary:
Ahyiana tells her story of getting over her fears, again and again, opening herself to new experiences, and using that growth to get to where she really wanted to be. She talks about using the skills she gained working in a corporate environment to ultimately create the life she really wanted to be living, one that helps others to do the same.
About our Guest:
Ahyiana Angel is the founder of Mayzie Media, a boutique podcast production company and the host of her own podcast, Switch Pivot or Quit. In her show and through public speaking engagements she offers career advice to a diverse community of contemporary men and women. She spent about a decade as a public relations executive with the NBA before quitting to pursue her passion in creative writing. She then wrote and published a book before starting Mayzie Media and her podcast. Switch Pivot or Quit was ranked as one of the top six podcasts for career advice by girlboss.com and one of 12 women-produced podcasts you should be listening to by entrepreneur.com.
Insights from this episode:
- Strategies for taking steps to let go
- Strategies for successful branding
- Strategies to start prioritizing yourself and your well-being as an entrepreneur
- Strategies for cultivating a strong networking community
- How to encourage growth in your personal life, not just your business
Quotes from the show:
- I realized if I wanted things to be different in my life, yes there was some work I had to do, but I also had to allow myself to be open to the possibilities of what could happen.” - Ahyiana Angel, Episode #164
- On travel: “It really helped me to trust myself.” - Ahyiana Angel, Episode #164
- On branding: “In order to protect it, you have to really perfect it.” - Ahyiana Angel, Episode #164
- “People cannot underestimate the value of consistency when you’re trying to build something.” - Ahyiana Angel, Episode #164
- “My word is possible, because I’m in a space right now where I know that anything and everything is possible.” - Ahyiana Angel, Episode #164
- “Instead of saying must be nice, she says it must be possible.” - Ahyiana Angel, Episode #164
- “I’m not completely fearless, I just try to run up against fear sometimes.” - Ahyiana Angel, Episode #164
Resources mentioned:
Favorite book:
- The Success Principles by Jack Canfield
Favorite quote:
- Ahyiana’s motto is: I am open to all the good the universe has for me. - from Jen Sincero’s book, “You are a Badass”
3 keys to Create Your Best Life:
- Let go of expectations of perfection
- Stop worrying about what other people might think or say
- Embrace more of a fearless attitude
Stay Connected:
Show Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/
https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/
Kevin Y Brown:
Ahyiana Angel:
www.instagram.com/switchpivotorquit
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify.
Tuesday Apr 02, 2019
Tuesday Apr 02, 2019
Episode summary:
Frank talks about his journey and his continuous efforts to use his work to give back to his community. Frank also talks about how to maintain balance in a busy life and the importance of having a strong support network to help you do so.
About our Guest:
Frank E. Brady is an educator, entertainer and empowerment speaker. He is a poet, a performer and a mentor. He is the director of The Future Project, a nonprofit organization that empowers high schoolers to turn their passions into projects that impact their schools and communities. He has appeared on BET, NBC, SOUL TRAIN, NPR and, most recently, the Huffington Post. He is a frequent performer on the national poetry circuits and has worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest entertainers. He was recognized as a black man of distinction by Black Enterprise and Black Enterprise’s man of the year.
Insights from this episode:
- Strategies for “serving your way to the top”
- How to utilize influence and flip it from negative to positive
- How to get out of unhelpful patterns in your life
- How to leverage your opportunities
Quotes from the show:
- “I just stayed the path and the course and cultivated my gift and my talents and my skill set to continue to leverage those opportunities to get on different stages, to get on different platforms while always maintaining a mindset of how do I use my talents to give back.” - Frank E Brady, Episode #163
- “The storms of life will try you and as you’re going through the storms and the situations of life you have to be willing to just learn on the fly and learn what your relationship is to what you go through.” - Frank E Brady, Episode #163
- “We all need personal boards of directors that can help us with different things.” - Frank E Brady, Episode #163
- “That’s the worst place to stay at when you’re going through stuff is in your own head.” - Frank E Brady, Episode #163
- “You can’t complain when you get what you ask for.” - Frank E Brady, Episode #163
Resources mentioned:
Favorite book:
Favorite quote:
- “The dream is for free, but the hustle is sold separately.” - Unknown, attributed to a variety of people
3 keys to Create Your Best Life:
- Don’t allow your pain to stop you from walking into your power; let it make you
- Your past doesn’t determine where you’re going, it’s the setup for where you’re going
- Don’t allow what people say about you to determine your future and your trajectory
Stay Connected:
Show Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/
https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/
Kevin Y Brown:
Frank E. Brady:
https://twitter.com/FrankEBrady
www.facebook.com/Frank.E.BradyOfficialPage
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.
Tuesday Mar 26, 2019
Tuesday Mar 26, 2019
Episode summary:
Mia talks openly about her life trajectory, how education played a big role in her success and how she is passing along what she has learned to young girls so they can achieve the same. She speaks with humor, humility and optimism about her journey and her future.
About our Guest:
Mia Hall is a content producer and the founder of Brown Girls GLOW, an organization dedicated to helping teen girls go from 'the hood' to Harvard and learn how to turn their college and career dreams into a reality. She is a writer, media producer and public speaker. Her past experience includes sports writing and producing for the WNBA, the Brooklyn Nets and NBC. She has written for Black Enterprise and The Root, among others.
Insights from this episode:
- How going to an HBCU changed her outlook on what was possible
- Strategies for going all in with what you want to achieve
- Secrets to staying motivated and optimistic
- Strategies for maintaining good relationships and mentorships
- How to cater your communication to the situation
Quotes from the show:
- “The way I’m going to contribute to the social justice movement I thought would be through media.” - Mia Hall, Episode #162
- “People are like bank accounts. You can’t expect to withdraw without making a deposit.” - Mia Hall, Episode #162
- “You have to not go into partnerships just looking for something for you. It has to be for the both of you.” - Mia Hall, Episode #162
- “If you don’t intentionally keep yourself with motivation around you, then it will be hard.” - Mia Hall, Episode #162
- “Mentorship has been the primary key to my success.” - Mia Hall, Episode #162
- “Giving back to the community has been a great part of what has helped me to grow.” - Mia Hall, Episode #162
- “Communication is so important, not only what you’re communicating but the way you do it.” - Mia Hall, Episode #162
- “After high school, you don’t have to go to college but you have to live the rest of your life.” - Mia Hall, Episode #162
- “Don’t do something to get rich. Do what you’re good in and get rich at it.” - Mia Hall, Episode #162
Resources mentioned:
Favorite book:
- What Makes the Great Great by Dennis Kimbro
- Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Favorite quote:
- Joshua 1:9: “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, do not be discouraged for the Lord your god will be with you wherever you go.”
3 keys to Create Your Best Life:
- Don’t doubt yourself
- You can’t grow in isolation, only in community
- Be intentional about it
Stay Connected:
Show Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/
https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/
Kevin Y Brown:
Mia Hall:
Brown Girls Glow on Twitter
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.
Tuesday Mar 19, 2019
Tuesday Mar 19, 2019
Episode summary:
Dina shares stories from her journey growing up in a banking family, working in that world and then leaving to found her current startup. She talks about empowering girls through financial literacy and connection to their parents at a young age as well as what she believes leads to successful startups.
About our Guest:
Dina Shoman is the founder and CEO of inHerQuests, a New York City-based social enterprise dedicated to teaching girls under age 18 about money and finance through fun. Dina’s first product is a set of games meant to be played between kids and their parents that teach financial skills targeted toward specific age groups. She was formerly the EVP and Head of Branding at Arab Bank. She was also a member of the Board of Arab Bank plc, and its related entities in Switzerland, Tunis and Australia. In 2012, she was ranked Forbes’ 3rd most powerful Arab business woman.
Insights from this episode:
- How to vet your team members
- Strategies for connecting early lessons to future confidence for young girls
- Secrets to successful startups
- How to manage the loneliness that can come with entrepreneurship
Quotes from the show:
- “Many girls are still not encouraged to learn these things and work and whatnot. I still hear the whole concept of marry rich and you’ll be all set.” - Dina Shoman, Episode #161
- “You need to at least be able to feel confident enough that you can take care of yourself financially or at least feel confident that you could if that comes up.” - Dina Shoman, Episode #161
- “Parents are trying to find things that are taking their kids away from the screens. Being a physical product actually creates that attention and quality time with parents.” - Dina Shoman, Episode #161
- On entrepreneurship: “The most shocking part to me was how lonely it can be. You really have to have that support group around you.” - Dina Shoman, Episode #161
- “Balance is definitely on my list of to-dos.” - Dina Shoman, Episode #161
- “You have to make the time. You can’t get far, you can’t do much for your company if you’re not okay. Being okay needs that balance: mental, emotional and physical health.” - Dina Shoman, Episode #161
Resources mentioned:
Favorite book:
- The Four Steps to the Epiphany by Steve Blank
- Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Favorite quote:
- “Man plans and god laughs.” - old Yiddish adage
3 keys to Create Your Best Life:
- Follow something that you love doing and that you’re passionate about
- Although planning doesn’t always go the way you want, some planning is very important
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Stay Connected:
Show Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/
https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/
Kevin Y Brown:
Dina Shoman:
https://twitter.com/DinaShoman
www.facebook.com/dinamahshoman/
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.
Tuesday Mar 12, 2019
Tuesday Mar 12, 2019
Episode summary:
Natasha talks about her rise as an emerging journalist and the joy she gets from storytelling. She shares her path to her current career and sheds light on journalism as a career, why she thinks she is meant to do the work and how anyone can adopt attitudes of a journalist to enhance his or her life.
About our Guest:
Natasha Alford is the deputy editor of theGrio, a video centric news community devoted to sharing stories about African American communities that are underrepresented elsewhere in the media. At theGrio, she created and hosts the video series “True Story with Natasha Alford,” where she goes into the field and reports on stories impacting black America. She was awarded the 2018 Emerging Journalist of the Year Award from the National Association of Black Journalists. Before her career in journalism she worked in finance, as a middle school teacher and in education policy. Her passion for storytelling and a restless desire to see the whole world propelled her into journalism.
Insights from this episode:
- Strategies for aspiring journalists
- How to think like a journalist to inspire your own curiosity
- The secret to converting critics to fans
- Strategies for navigating the evolving nature of the journalism industry
- Strategies to handle social media trolls
Quotes from the show:
- “It’s not just about writing, it’s about being able to connect with people so they feel comfortable to share their story.” - Natasha Alford, Episode #160
- “Don’t try to be likable, don’t try to do what you think people will like, because you just don’t know all the time how they’re going to react. The best thing you can do is be you.” - Natasha Alford, Episode #160
- “I feel uniquely gifted to do this work.” - Natasha Alford, Episode #160
- “I have a license to be curious.” - Natasha Alford, Episode #160
- “You’d be surprised how many people aren’t curious. They just exist in the world and don’t ask questions.” - Natasha Alford, Episode #160
- “Things can be good, as good as you imagine.” - Natasha Alford, Episode #160
- “You can convert critics into fans if you remove ego out of the way and you listen before you react.” - Natasha Alford, Episode #160
- “I think that we should be more present. You can put down the phones and converse and it’s cool. Being able to be in the moment with somebody else. That matters a lot to me.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #160
- “A lot of times when you’re growing up in lower economic communities, it’s not cool to be smart. Things like that are a significant part of the culture that needs to be changed.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #160
- “Being exposed to things that are greater than what you can even imagine just puts you on a different trajectory.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #160
Resources mentioned:
Favorite book:
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Favorite quote:
- Natasha’s motto: “The greatest commandment is love.”
3 keys to Create Your Best Life:
- The fear is in your head
- You have something that the world needs
- You only get one life
Stay Connected:
Show Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/
https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/
Kevin Y Brown:
Natasha Alford:
www.instagram.com/natashasalford
https://twitter.com/NatashaSAlford
https://www.facebook.com/natashasalfordnews
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.
Tuesday Mar 05, 2019
Tuesday Mar 05, 2019
Episode summary:
Arejay offers many, tangible strategies and resources for getting control of your finances. His passion and compassion for helping people manage their money is clear. He uses his experience in the finance world to leverage assistance to people across the financial spectrum today.
About our Guest:
Arejay Martin is a financial advisor, personal financial and business consultant and a public speaker. He is a creative, intelligent, new-generation speaker who hopes to pass on financial advice to any person, business or organization willing to listen. He has a master’s degree from North Carolina State University. He offers tailored presentations and workshops to individuals, nonprofits and corporations, educating underserved communities and offering simple, tangible, financial advice.
Insights from this episode:
- Simple strategies to start budgeting and saving money today
- How to decide which investments are best for you
- Secrets to rising above negative feedback
- Strategies for breaking down your lofty goals into manageable pieces
Quotes from the show:
- On working a corporate, 9-5 job: “I had so much more energy and so much more to give and I wanted to find a way to continue it, so I thought about taking the knowledge that I’d gained over the years and using that to educate people.” - Arejay Martin, Episode #159
- “The first step to beginning to grow is understanding where your money is going.” - Arejay Martin, Episode #159
- “We try to save without knowing how much we’re spending and it doesn’t really work.” - Arejay Martin, Episode #159
- On seeking a financial advisor even if you’re not wealthy: “Talk to somebody if you don’t have any money.” - Arejay Martin, Episode #159
- On what he achieves for his clients: “Peace of mind.” - Arejay Martin, Episode #159
- “Don’t think that you need to have big sums of money to play this game.” - Arejay Martin, Episode #159
- “Sometimes you have to ask for help.” - Arejay Martin, Episode #159
- “If you’re not gonna go after your dream, shut up about it.” - Kevin Y Brown, Episode #159
Resources mentioned:
Favorite book:
- Think like an Artist by Will Gompertz
Favorite quote:
- Arejay’s motto: “If you won’t do it somebody else will.”
3 keys to Create Your Best Life:
- Make a plan
- Don’t be too hard on yourself
- Dream; shoot for the stars
Stay Connected:
Show Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/
https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/
Kevin Y Brown:
Arejay Martin:
www.instagram.com/arejaymartin
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.
Tuesday Feb 26, 2019
Tuesday Feb 26, 2019
Episode summary:
Ben talks about his journey and the pivots along the way to success as an entrepreneur. He offers insights on what it was really like to be on Shark Tank, the lessons he has learned as an entrepreneur and where he hopes to go next.
About our Guest:
Ben Young is the CEO of Sworkit by Nexercise Inc., an exercise app that makes it easy to incorporate physical activity into your everyday life, even for 5 minutes, no matter where you are. He also mentors entrepreneurs and people looking to start new businesses.
Insights from this episode:
- Strategies for powerful networking
- How to stay resilient as an entrepreneur
- How to find a strong business partner
- Strategies for developing a fitness plan
- How to find the gems within negative feedback
Quotes from the show:
- “You have to fall in love with the problem, not the solution.” - Ben Young, Episode #158
- On networking: “You gotta be genuinely interested in people. - Ben Young, Episode #158
- On finding the right business partner: “You have to be crystal clear and aligned on what the vision is.” - Ben Young, Episode #158
- On how to not burn out: “Too many founders try to do too much themselves. You have to take vacations sometimes. Your body is not meant to go continually. You have to recharge.” - Ben Young, Episode #158
Resources mentioned:
Favorite book:
- The One Thing by Gary Keller
Favorite quote:
- Ben’s motto is: “Simply work it.”
3 keys to Create Your Best Life:
- Have fun
- Focus on the fact that it’s a journey
- Write down your goals
Stay Connected:
Show Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/
https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/
Kevin Y Brown:
Ben Young:
www.instagram.com/sworkitfitness
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.
Tuesday Feb 19, 2019
Tuesday Feb 19, 2019
Episode summary:
Stephen shares his entrepreneurial journey, talking openly about coming back from an early setback and how that experience shook his worldview. He talks about using his podcast to inspire his own children, and offers advice for staying optimistic and stoked on your own entrepreneurial journey.
About our Guest:
Stephen A. Hart is the founder and host of Trailblazers FM, a podcast dedicated to sharing the stories of successful black businessmen and women, the trailblazers and every day heros children of color have to look up to. He is also the marketing and communications director for Isles Media, LLC, just launched his own online course in branding and works as a brand consultant on the side, helping small businesses shine online. His podcast has over 150,000 listeners in over 100 countries around the world, and it is sponsored by the Campaign for Black Male Achievement.
Insights from this episode:
- Strategies for getting back in the black
- How to position yourself to develop new relationships
- How to get over your inertia and make things happen
- The secret to staying the course through negative feedback
- The secret to working through the hard times in marriage
Quotes from the show:
- “My entrepreneurial journey has been a series of ups and downs, but it started back at the womb.” - Stephen Hart, Episode #157
- “Your why has nothing to do with money.” - Stephen Hart, Episode #157
- “Relationships and experiences mean more than all the material things in the world.” - Stephen Hart, Episode #157
- “My whole life has been me creating my path.” - Stephen Hart, Episode #157
- “Don’t step into a relationship with ‘what you can do for me?’ Figure out how you can add value.” - Stephen Hart, Episode #157
- “I don’t worry about each year. I worry about 10-year, what I call BHAs: Big Hairy Audacious goals.” - Stephen Hart, Episode #157
Resources mentioned:
Favorite book:
- Why Should White Guys Have all the Fun by Reginald F. Lewis
Favorite quote:
- Stephen’s motto is Legacy, which he defines as planting seeds in a garden you’ll never see.
3 keys to Create Your Best Life:
- Take your time
- Take action
- Enjoy the journey
Stay Connected:
Show Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/
https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/
Kevin Y Brown:
Stephen Hart:
www.instagram.com/stephenahart
https://twitter.com/stephenahart
Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on iTunes, Google Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify.