Business in Blue

To bring season 4 of Business in Blue to a close, our host Leia Harper sat down with her dear friend and UofM alum Mario Hendrix, chief program officer of Bridges USA . Located in Uptown Memphis, Bridge Builders aims to help local youth and teachers grasp their leadership skills and improve self-confidence through various experiential education programs. Listen in as Mario talks about how the Univ...

Our host, Leia Harper, had the opportunity to sit down with UofM alumna and Director of Marketing and Business Development at Crosstown Concourse , Erin Shelton. Tune in as Erin shares the story behind transforming the former 1.5 million square foot Sears distribution center into the vibrant Crosstown Concourse—Memphis’s iconic vertical urban village. From nonprofits and apartments to restaurants...

This week on Business in Blue, host Leia Harper welcomed Clark Schifani—a fifth-generation FCBE alumnus and Director of Sales at Old Dominick Distillery —to the FCBE Media Studio. Tune in as Clark shares valuable insights from his career in the hospitality industry, along with fun “did you know?” trivia about the origins of the iconic Old Dominick brand. A key focus of the conversation is Old Domi...

Let’s give a roaring Business Tiger welcome to UofM alum and assistant director of the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship, David Rose. In this episode, David discusses the power of entrepreneurship and how the Crews Center serves a vital role not only on the UofM campus, but to the City of Memphis. He shares how entrepreneurship is all about failing forward, learning fast and taking action on your...

In this episode, Business in Blue host Leia Harper sits down with Alicia Dixon, co-owner and founder of Groovy Gratitude, a wellness café located in Uptown Memphis that blends music, mindfulness and community engagement into its brand. Groovy Gratitude is more than just a juice bar—it serves as a beacon of wellness and balanced living in a community that has historically had limited access to heal...

SEASON FOUR! It’s season four, and we’re so glad you’re here. To kick off 2026, our host, Leia Harper had the opportunity to sit down with artist, entertainer, fashion designer and entrepreneur of Brezerk, Brezay . Brezerk is more than just a creative label, it is a brand embodying all things Memphis and Brezay herself. Listen in as Brezay, a “Home Made” icon, shares her entrepreneurial experience...

SEASON THREE FINALE! We were thrilled to welcome University of Memphis (UofM) President Bill Hardgrave to our studio as our final special guest. In this candid interview with our Business in Blue host Leia Harper, he shared how higher education completely changed the trajectory of his life. As only one of two people in his family to ever graduate high school – with “hooper dreams” on the forefront...

Our host, Leia Harper had the opportunity to sit down with professional dancer, choreographer, author and owner of L.Y.E Academy , Ladia Yates . From working with celebrities like Usher, Missy Elliott and Lil Baby to large corporations like Nike and Red Bull, Ladia remains humble and encourages her students follow in her footsteps. Through her avid social media presence and talented instructors, L...

This week, UofM Alumnus and Barron Von Opperbean (BVO) CCO/Co-Founder, Marvin Stockwell, and BVO CEO, Jee Vahn Knight, joined Leia Harper in the studio to discuss the revitalization of Memphis’ historic Mud Island Museum. Coming soon, the River of Time , an “immersive playground set within a creative universe” is set to shape a story-driven realm of art, gamification and interactive discovery of t...

Attention! Attention! Calling all Tigers! The University is rolling out a whole new brand across campus and throughout the community. Joining us in the studio to discuss these exciting changes is SVP and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Michele Ehrhart. Listen in as she shares the strategy behind the university brand refresh and discusses the launch of her recently published book, Crisi...

This episode hit close to home for our host, Leia Harper, as she welcomed her aunt, CeCe Glenn, into the studio. As a proud FCBE alumna, CeCe was excited to come back to campus and share her experience about becoming the owner and operator of Memphis’ newly established Chick-fil-A in Uptown. Listen in as she provides valuable insight into the long, but well-worth season of entrepreneurial waiting....

Our host, Leia Harper had the opportunity to sit down with UofM alumna and founder/owner of Evolve Pilates , Ashleigh Hayes. Not only is Ashleigh a Memphis fitness powerhouse, but she is the walking embodiment of “dreaming, thinking and doing.” Listen in as she shares her authentic entrepreneurial experience about how she evolved from a UofM student to successful studio owner. From the one-on-one...

This week, give a warm welcome to Mia Saine , a nationally renowned illustrator, graphic designer and award-winning Memphis creative. Listen in as Mia shares how they discovered their unique style and cultivated a successful career as an artist in an ever-evolving, trend-adapting and AI generated industry. “Intentionality and inclusivity” are two primary themes that resonate throughout Mia’s work,...

WE’RE BACK and we’re so glad you’re here.   For the kickoff episode of Business in Blue Season 3, recent FCBE alumna & Choose901 social media prowess, Salem Moses joined our host Leia Harper in the studio to talk about her collegiate adventure and how she entered the workforce post-graduation. Through persistency and professionalism, Salem earned her first full-time position after interning wi...

Well, here we are, Business Tigers. It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for – Our Season 2 FINALE!  We proudly welcomed our NEW Host, Leia Harper, who interviewed non-other than our very own Carley Brown, double FCBE Alumna (MBA ’25 & BBA ’23) and original Business and Blue Podcast Host. Don’t miss this passing-of-the-torch episode, where Carley offers sage advice and recounts many of the...

Memphis Alumnus, Brandon Seavers, co-founder & CEO of Memphis Record Pressing joined Carley Brown in the studio for another electrifying episode of Business in Blue. Seavers, always intrigued and involved in the music industry, took a leap of faith to service the niche market of vinyl record pressing post-graduation. Listen in to hear about the resurgence of vinyl as a renowned collectible and...

This week, UofM Alumna ’19, Trevia Chatman, President of Bank of America Memphis joined us in the studio. As President, she is responsible for connecting banking and investment resources offered through the bank's eight lines of business to individuals, families and companies across the region.  Listen in as Trevia walks through a day in her life as a professional leader in the banking industry; s...

On this episode of Business in Blue, you’ll learn about non-other than Memphis’ staple burger joint, Huey’s . Alex Boggs, Area & Marketing Director of Huey’s, joined our host, Carley Brown to speak on the traditions that make this restaurant iconic—like shooting frill picks into the ceiling and leaving your mark on the walls! Coming up on its 55th Anniversary, Huey’s Burgers is not only known...

With an extra edge of grit and grind, we welcomed Contributor & Host of the Grizzlies and Grind City Media , Jessica Benson into the studio. As the only on-air woman in the Memphis sports market, Jessica shares how she found her voice in this highly competitive industry.  Not a native Memphian, Jessica discusses the countless opportunities she discovered here and how, in turn, she aims to cham...

In celebration of Women’s History Month, give a warm Tiger welcome to UofM Alumna ’86, Dawn Graeter, CEO of Southern Security Federal Credit Union . Dawn, a highly respected industry leader and glass ceiling-shatterer, sat down in the studio with host Carley Brown and spoke wisdom to all women – collegiate and professional alike. Listen in for a heart-felt testament of how to intentionally corral...

In celebration of Black History Month, we welcomed Dr. Russell Wigginton, president of the National Civil Rights Museum to the studio. Designated as both a Smithsonian Affiliate and International Coalition Site of Conscience, the National Civil Rights Museum is widely considered to be one of the premier heritage and cultural experiential museums in the world. The museum, which was constructed on s...

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it is seemingly fitting to welcome CEO & Founder of Phillip Ashley Chocolates , Phillip Ashley Rix. Not only has Phillip earned two James Beard Award semi-finalist nominations, been dubbed as Forbes real-life Willy Wonka, but his chocolates have also been added to Oprah’s Favorite Things list in 2020. Listen to Phillip’s journey about how a single...

Put on your Blue Suede Shoes and tune into the Business in Blue Season 2 premiere featuring Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises. After an initial conversation with Priscilla Presley, Elvis Presley’s former wife, Jack took a leap of faith and developed a sustainable business plan to transform the “King of Rock and Roll’s” homestead into a historic museum. Listen as Jack shares first-hand e...

For the season one finale of Business in Blue, please give a warm tiger welcome to UofM alumna Shannon Briggs, founder & head trailblazer of Campfire Collective . As a former intern and full-time employee for our city’s favorite burger joint, Huey’s, listen in to hear how Shannon took am leap of faith to start her own marketing agency. In this episode, Shannon speaks to the triumphs of our Mem...

Joining us in the studio this week is Matthew Patrick, FCBE alumnus & president/founder of  Patrick Accounting  &  Whirks . Matthew discusses the significance of goal setting and how, by implementing his suggested methods, you can achieve your personal and professional aspirations. In this episode, you will learn: Parameters and time frames for goal setting SMART & A1 goal setting meth...