The Kickback With Keri

#23: What does it really take to turn your passion into a profitable product line? Ryan Thompson, founder of Astro Blends, unpacks the lessons and sacrifices behind building his seasoning line from scratch while balancing a full-time job, family life, and entrepreneurship. Ryan shares what inspired him to move from private dining to launching his own product-based business, how he learned to price...

#22: When Ebonie Johnson Cooper noticed how few Black-led nonprofits were being funded, she decided to do something about it. As the founder and Executive Director of the Young, Black, and Giving Back Institute (YBGB), she’s leading a movement that’s empowering the next generation of Black philanthropists and closing the racial funding gap in the nonprofit sector. Whether you're a nonprofit leader...

#21: What happens when you build a business around purpose instead of profit? In this inspiring episode, Keri kicks back with Brian Taylor, founder and CEO of Goldiata Creative, a Baltimore-based social impact marketing agency helping mission-driven brands amplify their message and measure their impact. Brian shares how he went from playing football to founding a 7-figure agency, and why he believ...

#20: How does a TikTok creator turn his passion for Black-owned brands into the #1 marketplace for Black-owned spirits? In this episode, Keri sits down with Charles Everett, the founder of urfriendcharles.com , to share how he built a thriving e-commerce platform, one bottle at a time. Charles opens up about how his idea started during the pandemic, what it takes to build partnerships in a highly...

#19: In this episode, we’re diving deep into personal branding, career ownership, and the power of visibility with marketing strategist and LinkedIn expert Portia Obeng. From graduating during the recession to becoming a sought-after speaker and personal brand coach, Portia shares how she went from marketing products to helping people market themselves. We talk about why relying on job security is...

#18: In this solo episode, Keri pulls back the curtain on how The Kickback with Keri came to life; from a spontaneous newsletter idea to a full platform amplifying founders, creatives, and change-makers who are building something bigger than themselves. What started as a passion project became a space for connection, culture, and community. Keri opens up about her pivot from a career in fashion st...

#17: After wrapping up an interview, the conversation kept flowing—and what unfolded was too real not to share. In this bonus episode, Keri opens up about: How she got started in fashion styling and why she chased that dream all the way to LA What it really felt like to walk away from a 10-year pursuit when passion faded The importance of community, and why it ultimately shaped her next chapter Ho...

The Kickback With Keri is back! We are intentionally spotlighting founders, creatives, and change-makers who are building something bigger than themselves and creating impact that lasts. In between guest episodes, you’ll catch reflective moments from behind the scenes, real-time lessons, and unfiltered takes on the journey of building and becoming. 📧 Your curated dose of Black culture, brand spot...

What happens when you choose peace over the pressure to hustle? In this hot take with Jlani Jewels Founder Lani Nesbitt, we talk about her decision to leave New York City, the epicenter of grind culture and the fashion industry, for a slower, more intentional life in Miami. We dive into the mental health wake-up call, how quality of life became a non-negotiable, and the surprising ways this shift...

What does it really take to build a meaningful community, especially when you're competing with attention spans, and social media noise? In this hot take, I kickback with CoTripper founder Krystin Hargrove to talk about the challenges of building a community. From starting small to creating a safe space, we unpack why real connection takes time, intention, and ownership. You’ll learn what most peo...

When it comes to sales you don’t need a fancy script, someone else’s blueprint, or hours of YouTube University. In this week’s hot take, Renee Goings, current Director of Operations at Done Dissertation shares what truly works when it comes to converting potential clients. Renee reveals her number one sales strategy and her surprising goal on discovery calls. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, or...

AI is here to stay, but are you using it the right way? Yvonne Pearson PinkDollhouse Marketing breaks down the top mistakes marketers are making right now and why unchecked AI tools can hurt your brand and your career. Listen to full episode here Connect with Yvonne Pearson: Website → pinkdollhousemarketing.com Instagram → @yvonne_creativemarketer TikTok → @yvonne_creativemarketer 📧 Your curated...

Hot take: You don’t need millions of followers to land brand deals. Yvonne Pearson of PinkDollhouse Marketing and host of Coffee With Yvonne podcast breaks down 4 proven steps to secure brand sponsorships for your podcast, newsletter, and social media—no matter your follower count. Listen to full episode: https://bit.ly/kickbackwithkeri-yvonnepearson Connect with Yvonne Pearson: Website → pinkdoll...

#16: What does it take to create a luxury retreat that feels personal, intentional, and rooted in culture? In this on-location episode, Keri visits Wellspring Manor & Spa , a stunning Black-owned bed and breakfast in Prince George’s County, Maryland, for a powerful conversation with co-owner Lisa Brown Alexander. Tucked away on a once-abandoned estate, Wellspring is now a thriving hub for art,...

#15: In this powerful episode, Keri kicks back with Kadidja Dosso, founder of Dosso Beauty , to unpack the hidden dangers of traditional braiding hair and how she created the first clinically tested, non-toxic alternative for protective styles. Kadidja shares her journey from personal frustration to product innovation, breaking down how she launched a hypoallergenic braiding hair brand that’s rede...

#14: Oftentimes, businesses are born out of a personal need. In a world where convenience often trumps nutrition, one mother’s mission to find real, healthy baby food led to the creation of Chunky Vegan by founder Camille Hardy; a plant-based, farm-to-table baby food brand that’s redefining what we feed our little ones. In this powerful episode, Keri kicks back with Camille to explore how her frus...

#13: What if a candle could do more than smell good — what if it could heal, inspire, and build community? In this soulful and inspiring episode, Keri kicks back with the dynamic mother-daughter duo behind Kobi Co., a Black-owned candle and self-care brand based in Minneapolis. Founders Kobi Gregory and Tasha Harris share how they launched their aromatherapy-focused business during the height of t...

#12: Why firing the wrong clients helped this event CEO hit his highest revenue year. In this episode, Keri and Andrew unpack what happens when you set real boundaries, fire misaligned clients, and fully step into your value as a creative entrepreneur. Andrew Roby, an Army veteran turned renowned event planner, speaker, and coach based in Washington, DC. shares his journey from military service to...

#11: You don’t have to be rich to have an estate plan. In this episode, Keri kicks back with Meredith Hill, founder and principal attorney of The Hill Law Group , located in the DMV, for a powerful conversation on estate planning, wills, and trusts — especially for those who think they don’t need them (yet). They break down the real differences between a will and a trust, debunk common estate plan...

#10: How much of your skincare routine is actually working and how much is just hype? In this episode Keri kicks back with DMV-based esthetician Cameron Cooper of Skin by Cam to talk all things skincare. From SPF myths and product recommendations to the real truth about whether your eye cream is worth the money. Cameron also opens up about his journey as a Black male esthetician in a female-domina...

#9: How do you know when it’s time to leave your corporate job and take a leap of faith? Between the microagressions experienced as a Black woman in corporate America and growing passion for wellness and fitness, Melanie Smith knew she wanted something different. She had to ask herself, “is it time to bet on myself?” In this episode, Melanie, who is an integrative nutrition coach, pharmacist and f...

#8: What do you do when you finally “make it” and God tells you to let it all go? In this raw and powerful conversation, Keri kicks back with Brittany Ingram, a former celebrity makeup artist who worked with icons like Tyra Banks and Phylicia Rashad. Just as her Hollywood career was taking off, Brittany heard a divine call to pivot, leaving behind her identity as a beauty professional to embrace m...

#7: Wine isn’t just a drink, it’s a catalyst for community, legacy, and change. In this episode, host Keri kicks back with Jon’ll Boyd, co‑founder of Boyd Cru Wines , Maryland’s first Black family‑owned wine company. With her husband Matthew, Jon’ll turned a shared passion into a purpose-led business rooted in connection, quality, and community empowerment. In this episode you'll learn: How family...

#6: What if your family recipe could shake up the retail industry? That’s exactly what happened when the founders of Bell’s Reines turned their food blog into a cookie brand that’s now making waves in stores. But behind every perfectly baked batch is a deeper story, one of legacy, grief, sisterhood, and the grind of building something from nothing. In this episode, you’ll hear how two Black women...

#5: Think style is superficial? Think again. Naana Badu, wardrobe stylist, image consultant, and speaker, joins Keri to break down why your wardrobe isn’t just about fashion, it’s a leadership strategy. From corporate consulting to building a business that helps women of color show up with authority, Naana shares how your personal style fuels your personal brand. This episode dives deep into perso...