Business First w/Sonia Alleyne

In this episode of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with 90s R&B artist Yvette Michele for a soulful and inspiring conversation about her return to music and her new single, “Mr. DJ.” Yvette reflects on the nostalgia of the 90s era while sharing what it takes to navigate today’s fast-paced, technology-driven music industry. She opens up about overcoming insecurities, staying authentic...

In this dynamic episode of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with visionary entrepreneur Jeff Watkins, the force behind Overflow—an AI-powered film distribution platform reshaping the industry. Jeff shares his journey of building a disruptive model that leverages AI to amplify storytelling, empower creators, and open doors for underrepresented voices in film. From navigating fear and ta...

In this episode of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with entrepreneur and restaurateur Andre Truss to discuss how discipline, leadership, and purpose shaped his journey from the United States Marine Corps to building a thriving restaurant business. Andre shares how the leadership principles he learned in the Marines helped him design strong business systems, build effective teams, and...

In this dynamic episode of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with visionary entrepreneur Jeff Watkins, the force behind Overflow—an AI-powered film distribution platform reshaping the industry. Jeff shares his journey of building a disruptive model that leverages AI to amplify storytelling, empower creators, and open doors for underrepresented voices in film. From navigating fear and ta...

In this episode of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with entrepreneur and restaurateur Andre Truss to discuss how discipline, leadership, and purpose shaped his journey from the United States Marine Corps to building a thriving restaurant business. Andre shares how the leadership principles he learned in the Marines helped him design strong business systems, build effective teams, and...

In this episode of *Business First*, sleep strategist and corporate wellness expert **LaShasta Bell** joins the conversation to break down why sleep is one of the most overlooked drivers of success in business and life. LaShasta shares powerful insights into how sleep impacts our mental clarity, physical health, and emotional resilience—especially for entrepreneurs and professionals who often oper...

On this inspiring episode of Business First Podcast, Rick Ross shares how he transitioned from success in the music industry to becoming a serial entrepreneur committed to community impact through running, education, and service. Rick breaks down the importance of mastering the business side of music, creating unforgettable customer experiences in his running store, and building a nonprofit rooted...

In this episode of #BusinessFirst, host #SoniaAlleyne sits down with award-winning filmmaker and music supervisor #LinnetteHarrigan for a powerful conversation at the intersection of #Music, #Film, and #Business.

In this episode of #BusinessFirstPodcast, host #SoniaAlleyne sits down with #KimDickerson and #DeniseKaigler, co-founders of #MahoganyMates, a social engagement business creating intentional spaces for Black singles over 50 to build real, meaningful connections. The conversation explores their old-school approach to dating in a digital world, the realities of launching a niche business, and the im...

In this episode of the **Business First Podcast**, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with Vanessa and Dallas Streeter, the mother-and-son duo behind **PJs for the Culture**, a pajama brand rooted in cultural pride and representation. Vanessa and Dallas share the inspiration behind creating holiday pajamas that reflect Black culture and identity, and how a simple idea turned into a growing business. The...

In this episode, Sonia Alleyne interviews Joel Boissier, the VP of Business Development and Partnerships at CHIP, a fintech platform designed to connect individuals with financial professionals. Joel shares his background as a financial advisor and discusses the importance of accessible financial advice, especially for communities of color. The conversation covers how CHIP operates, the significan...

In this re released episode of Business First, Sonia sits down with artist and entrepreneur Sharon A. Keyser, owner of #SKCreationsLLC, to explore how a childhood love of sewing blossomed into a thriving fashion and lifestyle brand. Born and raised in #WashingtonDC, Sharon learned to sew from her great-grandmother, sparking a lifelong passion for textiles, bold colors, and beautiful fabrics. Over...

In this episode of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with Brian Thompson, founder of Brian Thompson Financial LLC, for a powerful conversation on authenticity, alignment, and the entrepreneurial journey—especially for LGBTQ+ business owners. Brian opens up about his transition from tax attorney to financial planner, sharing how embracing his true self reshaped his life and business. Tog...

In this re-release of the Business First Podcast, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with Chef Rock Harper, award-winning chef, restaurateur, and culinary trailblazer, for an inspiring conversation on reclaiming culinary rights and honoring the cultural legacy of soul food. Chef Rock dives deep into the rich history of fried chicken—its roots in African American tradition, its global influence, and its...

In this inspiring episode of the Business First Podcast, Sabrina Lamb, CEO of Wekeza, shares her mission to close the wealth gap for the African diaspora through accessible, multilingual financial education. She opens up about the creation of Wekeza, the importance of teaching financial literacy in native languages, and her vision for a global, pan-African investment platform that empowers communi...

In this episode of the Business First Podcast, Sonia Alleyne sits down with Allyson Ward, corporate wellness strategist and leadership coach, to explore the power of demolishing stress — not just managing it. Together, they discuss how AI can help small businesses boost productivity, reduce stress, and inspire creativity across generations. Allyson breaks down the fear of AI, offering practical to...

In this episode of The Business First Podcast, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with Michel Edwards, co-founder and CEO of Bluu Kazi, to explore how his company is transforming talent acquisition and development. Michel shares how Bluu Kazi’s innovative matching algorithm connects top talent with forward-thinking businesses while championing diversity in tech and supporting military veterans through t...

In this powerful episode of the Business First Podcast, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with Rahman Hall to discuss his inspiring journey of healing, transformation, and purpose. Rahman opens up about his experiences with childhood trauma and the profound role that forgiveness and writing have played in his path toward recovery. He shares valuable insights on confronting emotional scars, seeking help...

In this episode of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with restaurateur and venture capitalist Shane Corrodus to explore his inspiring journey in the restaurant industry. Shane opens up about the challenges of launching and sustaining a successful restaurant, highlighting the cultural influences and strategic choices that shaped Elevation Kitchen and Cocktails. He shares valuable lessons...

In this episode of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with actress, director, and producer Larissa Dali to explore her multifaceted journey in the entertainment industry. Larissa opens up about her creative heritage, the challenges of balancing multiple roles in filmmaking, and the transformative power of shadow work in both life and character development. She reveals how her personal ex...

In this episode of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with social entrepreneur Thomas C. Knox, founder of the Connection Collective. Thomas shares his inspiring journey from a subway social experiment to building a platform—and eventually a TV series—dedicated to fostering genuine human connection. He reflects on the power of storytelling, the impact of his childhood experiences, and the...

In this rerelease of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with HR expert Vicky Brown to unpack the challenges small businesses face when hiring and retaining top talent. Vicky shares her personal journey into entrepreneurship, along with the lessons she’s learned about effective leadership and building strong workplace cultures. From the importance of clear job descriptions to the complexi...

In this episode of Business First, Dr. Natalie Michon Alexander shares the inspiring story behind Heir Tight, a secure digital platform designed to help families organize vital documents and strengthen communication around legacy planning. Dr. Alexander opens up about the personal experiences that motivated her to create the platform, the innovative features that make it unique, and the challenges...

In this episode of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with Angela Alexander, Executive Director of the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (NCTRCA). Angela shares why certification is a game-changer for small businesses—especially those owned by minorities and women—opening doors to multi-million dollar opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. She emphasizes the...

In this episode of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with Natasha L. Rogers, head of 1221, a dynamic PR firm based in Birmingham, Alabama. They dive into Birmingham’s thriving business scene, Natasha’s path from media to public relations, and the realities of building a successful business from the ground up. Natasha shares valuable insights on strategic communication, event planning, a...