Black Bridge Mindset

Mike Lovett, Chris Johnson, Ken Peak
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Entrepreneurship

Welcome to The Black Bridge Mindset podcast, where culture entrepreneurship and business intersect to fuel inspiration. This podcast celebrates the power of diverse voices shaping the future of business.  From the small business dreamers to the big business disruptors, we’re here to uncover the untold stories, bold strategies, and cultural legacies driving the entrepreneurial spirit forward.  Each episode we’ll delve deep into the challenges, triumphs, and transformative ideas that redefine success. Because when culture and ambition come together, the results are game-changing.  So, whether you’re building a business, breaking barriers, or just looking for some serious inspiration, you’re in the right place.  The Black Bridge Mindset: Where culture and entrepreneurship collide! 

  1. 8h ago

    From Fifth Ward to Africa: Inspiring Audacity With Yachtze Luchin

    Send us Fan Mail From Houston’s Fifth Ward to CEO in Africa: Yachtze Luchin on Building United Oil & Gas International On the Black Bridge Mindset Podcast, hosts Mike, Ken, and CJ welcome Yachtze Luchin, Houston-based president and CEO of United Oil and Gas International, to discuss his journey from growing up in inner-city Houston to leading energy projects across Africa. Luchin shares how determination and family lessons pushed him through engineering school despite gaps in preparation, how an early job inspecting sewers motivated him to pursue oil and gas, and how mentors helped him break into Texaco. He explains why he left corporate roles after broad technical and business experience to build UNITE, starting with consulting and services while working toward becoming a producer. He emphasizes building a vision-driven leadership team, “educate before you participate,” adapting to local business culture in Africa, and leading with purpose beyond profit. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:35 Atlanta Weekend Recap 02:33 Meet the CEO Guest 04:40 Inner City Roots 06:02 College Catch Up Grind 08:38 Dad’s Secret Sauce Lesson 11:40 Audacity and Action 14:10 Breaking Into Oil and Gas 15:53 From Sewers to Texaco 20:38 Leaving Corporate for Purpose 26:30 Launching United Oil and Gas 30:16 Consulting Services and Production 33:16 Why Africa Called Him Back 36:52 Building a Winning Leadership Team 40:45 Purpose Beyond Profit 45:32 Advice for Aspiring Oil Entrepreneurs 48:19 Africa Culture and Business Reality Check 55:01 Legacy Inspiration and Loving the Vision 01:01:20 Where to Find Unite Online 01:02:05 Wakanda Peace Pause Farewell Instagram Website Thank you for listening!  Follow our socials!  FacebookInstagramYouTube TikTok Contact us:  Email: blackbridgemindset@gmail.com  Hosts: Mike CJKen

  2. Sep 16

    From Corporate to Creative: Jahan Daughtry on Building a Luxury Portrait Studio & Pivoting Through Change

    Send us Fan Mail On the Black Bridge Mindset Podcast, hosts Mike, Ken, and CJ welcome luxury portrait and event photographer Jahan Daughtry of Jahan Photography, celebrating 17 years in business. Jahan shares her path from corporate roles at Verizon and Nationwide to full-time entrepreneurship after layoffs, explaining how she built her business while working, self-funded gear upgrades, and learned to track finances properly. She discusses the costs of equipment and studios, why she has moved through six studio spaces, and how accessibility and client experience drove those decisions. Jahan explains how CRM tools like HoneyBook help manage contracts, scheduling, and revenue tracking, and emphasizes separating business finances and working with an accountant. She details how networking, social media consistency, and “connectors” grew her client base, how DEI rollbacks reduced corporate work, and why pivoting and renewed networking matter. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:35 Weather and Catch Up 01:47 Meet Jahan Daughtry 03:27 Creative Roots and Photography Start 04:36 Corporate Life and Early Hustle 08:35 Breaking Point and Workplace Tea 12:12 Building Clients While Working 14:04 Why Portrait Photography 15:54 CRMs and Business Systems 18:30 Pricing and Separating Finances 23:19 Networking and Social Media Growth 25:02 Connectors and Studio Moves 26:43 First Studio Reality Check 28:40 Sharing Space Growing Pains 29:46 Bright Studio Stair Struggles 31:10 Dreaming of Creative Hub 32:05 Bootstrapping Early Challenges 33:43 Renting Gear and Resources 34:17 Signature Client Experience 35:33 Corporate Gigs Word of Mouth 36:30 Crafting Unique Portraits 38:55 Industry Shifts and DEI Impact 42:54 Where to Find Jahan 43:50 Advice Shadow and Learn 45:31 Guest Question and Legacy 47:47 Wrap Up Travel and Balance Facebook: @jehaninc Instagram: @jehanllc Website: https://www.jehanllc.com Thank you for listening!  Follow our socials!  FacebookInstagramYouTube TikTok Contact us:  Email: blackbridgemindset@gmail.com  Hosts: Mike CJKen

  3. Sep 9

    Designs by Winborn: Corey Winborn on Self-Taught Tailoring, Confidence, and Building a Fashion Business

    Send us Fan Mail On the Black Bridge Mindset Podcast, hosts Mike, Ken, and CJ welcome Columbus-based fashion designer and master tailor Corey Winborn, CEO of Designs by Winborn, who shares how he became self-taught by thrifting and deconstructing garments as a teen and turned that passion into a 37-year career in custom clothing, alterations, and fine jewelry. Corey explains how style and presentation build confidence and opportunity, why he chose not to pursue college, and what it took to leave traditional jobs to bet on his craft. He offers practical business advice for aspiring designers: study fashion, become your own brand, focus on what sells (not just social media image), and build a client base before taking on a brick-and-mortar. He shares his appointment-only shop details and leaves a question for the next guest about living the life they want. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:35 August Vibes and Market Days 02:41 Meet Corey Winborn 04:33 Self Taught Tailoring Origins 07:39 Style Confidence and Presentation 11:20 No College Needed 12:46 Turning Craft Into Business 18:04 Entrepreneurship Mindset Shift 25:04 Business 101 for Designers 29:52 Study Trends and Sell Work 30:45 Be Your Own Brand 31:36 Creating What’s Next 33:22 Naming DBW and N4 33:59 Born to Win Philosophy 36:23 Why Every Man Needs Custom 38:23 Custom Suits Through History 39:47 Favorite Clients and Moments 41:36 Dressing Women Too 42:56 Opening the Brick and Mortar 47:30 Entrepreneur Advice and Wrap 48:37 Where to Find Corey 50:26 Final Questions and Goodbye Instagram Facebook Thank you for listening!  Follow our socials!  FacebookInstagramYouTube TikTok Contact us:  Email: blackbridgemindset@gmail.com  Hosts: Mike CJKen

  4. Sep 2

    Storytelling, Brooklyn, and Bold Branding Chat

    Send us Fan Mail The Black Bridge Mindset Podcast returns after a brief break as host Mike shares he started a new role at Zipline and the hosts recap meeting in Chicago during Canadian wildfire smoke. Ken introduces guest Sonia Aline, a communications strategist, editor, author, and host of the Business First podcast, known for interviewing leaders like Oprah Winfrey and Ursula Burns and co-authoring a NAACP Image Award–nominated book on unwritten rules for minority professionals. Sonia explains her background from Birmingham, England to Brooklyn, her accidental entry into publishing, and her career lessons from decades of interviews. She discusses storytelling as an ancient tool that builds emotional connection, drives brand loyalty, and helps entrepreneurs differentiate, emphasizing listening, intuition, alignment over “grind,” and practical ways her Storytelling Business Journal helps people craft and distribute their brand story. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:35 Hosts Catch Up 02:56 Meet Sonia Aleene 05:04 Curiosity And Identity 06:37 Roots From England 10:42 Breaking Into Media 15:09 Career Lessons And Yes 17:27 Why Storytelling Works 22:21 Brand Stories In Business 26:30 Storytelling Journal Framework 29:18 Learning From Icon Interviews 31:15 Synchronicity in Motion 32:18 Alignment Over Hustle 35:53 Protect Your Nervous System 37:48 Breaks Spark Breakthroughs 41:09 Storytelling Starts Listening 46:24 Make Customers Feel Seen 47:44 Business First Podcast 50:46 Closing Ritual and Gratitude Podcast - Business First w Sonia Alleyne Instagram - Sonia Alleyne Instagram - Book ~ Storyteller Magic  Thank you for listening!  Follow our socials!  FacebookInstagramYouTube TikTok Contact us:  Email: blackbridgemindset@gmail.com  Hosts: Mike CJKen

  5. Aug 5

    Empowering Communities Through Childcare: The Tysie Milliken-Benjamin Story

    Send us Fan Mail From Court Reporter to 3 Childcare Centers: Tysie Milliken-Benjamin on Faith, Perseverance, and Building Agape Love On the Black Bridge Mindset Podcast, hosts Mike, Ken, and CJ welcome Tysie Milliken-Benjamin, a woman of faith and entrepreneur who owns three 24-hour childcare centers in Paducah—Agape Love Childcare, Ruth’s Childcare, and Agape Love Bugs Childcare—plus nonprofits Safe Place and Safety Nest. Tysie shares how she transitioned from cosmetology to court reporting, opened her own court reporting business, then followed what she describes as God’s calling into childcare in 2017. She explains learning through volunteering, training, and mentorship, overcoming a failed first center, clearing her record, navigating state regulations, funding challenges, and opening additional centers through perseverance. Tysie details her mission to serve working and low-income families, teach life skills and culture, support staff development, and enforce structure, while emphasizing her sacrifices, community impact, and her guiding question for entrepreneurs: “What is your why?” 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:35 Hosts Catch Up 00:57 Cleaning Lady Story 02:15 Meet Tysie Millican 03:45 Tysie Introduces Herself 04:30 From Court Reporting 05:36 Called To Childcare 07:48 Agape Name Meaning 09:04 Overwhelmed First Steps 10:18 Rules And Mentors 12:34 Legal Steps And Funding 15:25 Persevering Through Setbacks 18:24 Opening Second Center 20:42 Third Center Challenges 23:09 What Sets Her Apart 27:11 How Centers Are Structured 28:13 Why 24 Hour Childcare 28:53 Feeding Kids Right 29:49 Covering Essentials 30:23 Making It Sustainable 32:18 Steps To Open Center 35:10 Training Staff Growth 37:11 Strict Parent Boundaries 39:23 Pricing And Waitlist 40:37 Lessons For Younger Self 41:42 Proudest Love Bug Story 44:30 Contact And Giving Back 45:32 Hidden Sacrifices 47:03 Find Your Why 50:33 Sign Off And Collage 51:40 Paducah Podcast Invite 52:29 Final Thanks Goodbye Thank you for listening!  Follow our socials!  FacebookInstagramYouTube TikTok Contact us:  Email: blackbridgemindset@gmail.com  Hosts: Mike CJKen

  6. Jun 24

    Psychology & Charcuterie: A Journey with Maria Houston

    Send us Fan Mail Creativity, Grief, and Purpose: Dr. Maria Houston Beck on Mental Health, Mentorship, and Beck Boards On the Black Bridge Mindset Podcast, hosts Mike, Ken, and CJ welcome Columbus-based licensed clinical psychologist and entrepreneur Dr. Maria Houston Beck, founder of Houston Wellness Solutions and Beck Boards. Beck shares how a high school psychology class and learning about mental illness and suicide in her family inspired her to pursue clinical psychology, with a career spanning trauma, mood disorders, grief, and work with incarcerated youth, including at Cook County Juvenile Detention Center. She explains training paths (PsyD vs PhD), building a private practice brick by brick, and early business lessons like pricing, policies, and payment procedures. Beck also расскаunts how personal grief and hosting family holidays led her to create Beck Boards, offering charcuterie boards, grazing tables, a mobile cart, and workshops that blend food styling with therapeutic topics. She previews her participation in Columbus’ Color of Summer event and shares where to find and book her services. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:35 Weekend Catch Up 02:35 Summer Plans and Festivals 03:39 Soccer Tangent 05:16 Meet Maria Houston Beck 08:20 Why She Chose Psychology 13:07 Clinical Focus and Juvenile Work 17:31 Mentors and Giving Back 20:24 Breaking Mental Health Stigma 23:52 Becoming a Psychologist 27:39 Starting Private Practice 29:03 Starting Private Practice 30:26 Brick by Brick Systems 31:39 Learning as You Go 32:52 Pricing and Policies Mistakes 35:55 Grief Sparks Creativity 40:15 Therapy Through Charcuterie 44:44 Events and Color of Summer 49:13 Where to Find and Book 52:39 Sacrifice and Self Care 55:29 Wakanda Peace Paws Finale   Instagram: @beckboards Facebook: @BeckBoardsLLC Morning Star Counseling https://www.instagram.com/houstonwellness_solutionsllc/  Thank you for listening!  Follow our socials!  FacebookInstagramYouTube TikTok Contact us:  Email: blackbridgemindset@gmail.com  Hosts: Mike CJKen

  7. Jun 17

    Chef J.C. Pinckney on Building The Bougie Palate: Scaling a Luxury Catering Business

    Send us Fan Mail On the Black Bridge Mindset Podcast, hosts Mike, Ken, and CJ welcome Chef J.C. Pinckney, CEO of The Bougie Palate, a Tampa-based luxury catering and private chef brand inspired by her Barbados roots and love of Louisiana Creole cuisine. J.C. shares how she started cooking for friends during COVID, formalized the business in 2022, and learned entrepreneurship through free one-on-one support from the SBDC, including financial literacy, pricing strategy, and post-event “autopsies.” She explains why she avoids opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant, how she prices luxury catering (including retainers and paid tastings), and what customers often misunderstand about catering costs. J.C. discusses staffing, project management systems, marketing through social media and word of mouth, catering events up to 700+ people, and her goals to open a commissary/ghost kitchen, expand revenue streams, and create a cookbook and cooking classes. Website: https://thebougiepalate.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebougiepalate Thank you for listening!  Follow our socials!  FacebookInstagramYouTube TikTok Contact us:  Email: blackbridgemindset@gmail.com  Hosts: Mike CJKen

  8. Jun 10

    Building Morningstar Counseling: Erica Hughes on Mental Health, Entrepreneurship, and Breaking the Stigma

    Send us Fan Mail On this episode of the Black Bridge Mindset Podcast, hosts introduce Erica Hughes, founder of Morningstar Counseling Services in Louisville, Kentucky, a practice supporting teens and adults through depression, anxiety, trauma, and major life transitions with a gentle, empowering approach.  Erica shares her path from sociology and criminology studies to Child Protective Services, then earning a master’s in mental health counseling and opening her private practice in 2018 without a formal business plan. She discusses learning business essentials like finding mentors, hiring support, getting an accountant, managing taxes, insurance, networking, and social media, and balancing therapy work with leadership, motherhood, and boundaries.  The conversation covers increased openness to therapy post-COVID, especially among Black clients and men, how to suggest therapy sensitively, and ways to reduce stigma. Erica also highlights her children’s book, “The Courage Within,” and her goals to expand into hospitals and corporate mental health education. Instagram: @mstar_counseling Website: Morning Star Counseling  00:00 Podcast Cold Open 00:27 Madrid Jet Lag Banter 01:40 Meet Erica Hughes 03:17 Louisville vs Chicago Check In 04:19 Morningstar Services Team 05:23 From CPS to Counseling 09:01 Launching the Practice 11:19 Moving Through Fear 14:15 Therapy in Black Communities 18:00 Entrepreneur Lessons Learned 21:10 Creating a Safe Space 22:24 Therapist Self Care Boundaries 23:28 Minority Hurdles Ahead 23:54 Breaking Into Louisville 25:06 Building Without A Plan 27:08 Mentors And Mistakes 28:17 Boundaries And Self Care 30:39 Friends As Employees 32:37 Finding The Right Therapist 35:02 Proud Of Morningstar 36:18 Bigger Vision Ahead 37:38 Talking About Therapy 39:33 Dispelling Black Stigma 42:22 Children's Book Journey 44:16 Where To Find Erica 45:22 Culture And Closing Thank you for listening!  Follow our socials!  FacebookInstagramYouTube TikTok Contact us:  Email: blackbridgemindset@gmail.com  Hosts: Mike CJKen

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Black Bridge Mindset podcast, where culture entrepreneurship and business intersect to fuel inspiration. This podcast celebrates the power of diverse voices shaping the future of business.  From the small business dreamers to the big business disruptors, we’re here to uncover the untold stories, bold strategies, and cultural legacies driving the entrepreneurial spirit forward.  Each episode we’ll delve deep into the challenges, triumphs, and transformative ideas that redefine success. Because when culture and ambition come together, the results are game-changing.  So, whether you’re building a business, breaking barriers, or just looking for some serious inspiration, you’re in the right place.  The Black Bridge Mindset: Where culture and entrepreneurship collide! 

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Lovett, Chris Johnson, Ken Peak
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Black Bridge Mindset
  • Show Website
    Black Bridge Mindset