Just Talking Business with Stephanie van Vark

In this conversation, Stephanie Van Vark speaks with Cornell Crews Jr., the executive director of the Community Reinvestment Alliance of Florida, about the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in financial institutions and communities. They discuss the historical context of redlining, the ongoing challenges faced by communities of color, and the need for advocacy and accountability...

In this conversation, Roni Bennett and Stephanie Van Vark discuss the critical role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in business. We explore the historical context of DEI, its importance for business success, and the challenges faced in implementing effective DEI initiatives. The discussion emphasizes the need for authentic engagement, community building, and strategic approaches to ensur...

This series is explores the need (or lack of) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives.  And we're talking the experts about it.  In this conversation, host Stephanie Van Vark speaks with Daniella Pierre from the NAACP Miami-Dade about the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in today's society. Takeaways from this Conversation: ⭐️Diversity, equity, and inclusion are...

In this engaging and thought-provoking conversation, Danielle Jeter, two-time founder and entrepreneur, shares her journey of building a purpose-led career at the intersection of media, community, and impact. She opens up about founding AOI Events and Public Relations and the nonprofit Women in Media Global, and how both ventures work together to create meaningful change. Takeaways ⭐️ Danielle Je...

What does it take to successfully transition from law to hospitality and build a multi-location restaurant brand? In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Kelley, founder of Kitchen + Kocktails, as he opens his seventh location in Miami and shares the business mindset behind his success. With a background as an attorney, Kevin brings a unique, strategic approach to the restaurant industry, leveragi...

Kenzie Perry, shares the business, and the challenges, that lie behind beauty.  Kenzie reveals the real challenges of scaling a creative company  — from navigating supply chains and client demands to standing out in a saturated market. � In this episode, Kenzie shares: * How he navigated the leap from creative talent to CEO in a competitive industry * The challenges of scaling a design brand while...

Dr. Saliha Nelson is redefining education by fusing youth development with enterprise and innovation. As CEO of URGENT, Inc. and founder of Urgent Academy, a new micro middle school, she has built a mission-driven educational ecosystem that leverages arts, culture, and entrepreneurship to empower urban youth—while modeling a scalable, sustainable approach to impact.  In this episode, we explore: �...

Brother Lyle Muhammad, Executive Director of The Circle of Brotherhood, is a visionary strategist and community architect with over 35 years of experience designing scalable, high-impact violence prevention and reentry programs. His work bridges grassroots organizing and public-private collaboration to drive measurable change in underserved communities.  Mr. Muhammad’s programs have attracted inve...

Meet Kenzie — a creative force raised in Miami whose passion for art and design sparked the vision behind Ze Haus, a trailblazing brand transforming interiors across the globe. What started as a love for creativity has grown into a thriving design empire. In 2024, Ze Haus contributed to an industry that generated over $137.93 billion in revenue. From innovative wallpaper collections to comprehensi...

In December 2016, The Maven Baker opened.  It's a kosher wholesale bakery serving natural baked goods for restaurants and events. By 2019, it expanded into hospitality with Sushi Addicts. But in 2020, everything changed.  The pandemic wiped out the bakery clients overnight, and while launching a retail line. After the pandemic, the business was rebooted with a new focus: scalable, shippable d...

Stephanie Jones, CEO of Disrupt for Change and Founder of Diversity Tourism Academy, has dedicated over a decade to empowering small Black tourism businesses and underserved communities. Her work is transforming cultural tourism into a powerful driver of economic opportunity and inclusive growth. Tune in to learn how Stephanie is advancing sustainability, profitability, and equity across the $9+ t...

Givr Packaging, LLC is revolutionizing the supply chain with sustainable, fully recyclable, and custom packaging solutions designed for every step of the process. By partnering with global tree-planting initiatives, they deliver carbon-negative packaging that not only serves your business needs—but gives back to the planet. 🌍 ♻️ With over 30% of the world’s paper consumption occurring in the U.S....

Meet Dr. Kenyatta W. Stephens — an internationally recognized Infectious Disease Epidemiologist and founder of SAPHE Consulting Group. Known for her innovative approach to public health, Dr. Stephens blends data science, modern technology, and community strategy to build resilient health systems around the world. From advancing disease surveillance to designing cutting-edge curricula, her work tra...

Global freight forwarding is undergoing a massive shift as tariffs shake up supply chains. In this video, Simple Forwarding CEO Abe Orgel will help us understand how freight forwarders are pivoting and adapting their logistics strategies in response to rising tariffs. Tune into Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justtalkingbusiness Tune into YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StephanieCreatesTV We’...

Airbnb and Vrbo are booming short-term rental platforms generating billions annually—and our guest, Madeline Raiford-Holland, MHM Luxury Properties CEO, has cracked the code on turning these opportunities into serious income. From influencer to investor, then educator to retailer, Madeline shares her inspiring journey and practical tips on how you can leverage short-term rentals to achieve financi...

IbisWorld says the annual revenue for the Professional Organization industry in the United States is approximately $32.3 billion.  That's a lot of organizing and product sold.  Jennifer Q. Williams, Saint Louis Closet Co. CEO, jumped into this pool of opportunity in 1991 and has built the first locally owned, floor based closet company in the St. Louis area. Tune in. Learn more. See this vodc...

AirBnB, Vrbo are short term rental businesses that rake in billions each year. Several like our guest, Madeline Raiford-Holland, have been able to use these platforms to make big bucks. Now, she's teaching you how to do it too. She pivoted from influencer to investor; then educator to retailer, all to achieve the goal of financial freedom. Tune in for tidbits on how she made this work... very...

University of Florida declares the economic impact of historic preservation in Florida is a conservative estimate of $4.2 billion annually.  That number may shift with the recent federal funding shake up.  Kim Johnson is able to share her pivot plan for the future of this dynamic building with a rich history.  Or, if it will be business as usual. See this vodcast and others on YouTube @ StephanieC...

Autumn Shelton, CFO and Partner of Autumn Brands, is helping us navigate the uncharted waters of the the Cannabis Industry.  We discuss California’s Prop 215 and the Regulated California Cannabis industry (Prop 64).  We discuss her advancement from employee to partner.  We discuss life as a woman in this business, activism, challenges, time and family management and more.  It's a daily grind....

Revitalizing Miami:  A Developer’s Journey to the Florida Capital and back to reinvest in home Real estate development makes billions, but when you make it personal and affordable it becomes more than dollars and cents.  Meet Dr. Willie Logan, CEO of Ten North Group, a $250M asset-holding company building affordable housing and wealth-building opportunities for under-resourced communities.  Listen...

Just Talking Business is the Entrepreneurs’ Podcast. Thats means we’re talking to business owners about their pivot plan. Marcus Hill is a distinguished home appraisal expert, real estate investor, professional speaker and author with nearly 20 years of experience in the real estate industry. His later venture is the launch of a real estate experience complete with office space, event space, quiet...

Cigars are a $23.4 billion industry worldwide; $13.3 million of that in the US. In a male dominant industry in both sales and consumption, Candace Ford, CEO of LLC Ladies Love Cigars, has made herself known. She has crafted a very specific product offering cigars that are custom designed to appeal to women and their tastes. Listen in as this trailblazing entrepreneur shares how she's been abl...

The business of using media to inform and eliminate the stigmas associated with mental health is growing. Especially in the Black Community. Leading expert Ashley Glass, Executive Director of Black Women Cultivating Change, will share the ways she's able to make change and make money. See this vodcast and others on YouTube @ StephanieCreatesTV

Courier Delivery Services is a 165.1 billion business.  Commerce could not thrive or survive without.  CEO Lakeshia Grays will share how she found her niche in the space delivering beauty products B2C and B2B.  And what are the plans from here. See this vodcast and others on YouTube @ StephanieCreatesTV

It's like life imitating art.  At least documenting it.  Rodrico "Rico" James who crafted the story of street artist TMNK, will share the ins and outs of the film business.  What happens when the doc is done?  How do you market the film, the story, the artist?  How to break into the $11650.26 million documentary, film and tv industry and the ways to do it.  See this vodcast and othe...