A Bright Idea

Amber Key
  • 4.8(18개의 평가)
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Hey Everybody, this is Amber Key and you’re listening to ‘ A Bright Idea’ podcast, a show that sits down with entrepreneurs to hear about the ‘Aha' moment that launched their businesses. In each episode, founders share their story from idea to execution, insights on their industry, and key takeaways for anyone looking to pave their own path. Hear episodes on Wednesdays. You can listen to 'A Bright Idea' anywhere you listen to podcasts. If you are a founder or know someone who has launched a cool business and would like to be featured, email us at jacksonstreetmediaco@gmail.com.

  1. Courtney Ramsey & Co: Celebrating All of Women's Milestones

    1일 전

    Courtney Ramsey & Co: Celebrating All of Women's Milestones

    In this episode, we chat with courtney about what led her to photography, emphasizing her polished style and the importance of capturing joy, particularly among Black women. She discusses her dual career as a federal contractor and photographer, highlighting the challenges and rewards of balancing both. Courtney reflects on the influences of the strong women in her family and how they shaped her understanding of beauty and strength. She also delves into her experiences photographing burlesque performers, which taught her about empowerment and body positivity. Throughout the conversation, Courtney emphasizes the significance of creating a comfortable experience for her clients, the importance of continuous learning in her craft, and her desire to help women see their own narratives through her portraits. Ultimately, she aims to celebrate the journey of women and redefine beauty standards, especially for aging women. Chapters 00:00 The Essence of Photography Style 02:59 Navigating Dual Careers: Government and Photography 05:59 The Journey of a Photographer: From Passion to Profession 08:59 Capturing Joy: The Impact of Community Events 11:58 Influences of Womanhood: Family and Representation 15:01 Empowerment Through Burlesque: A Unique Perspective 18:00 Celebrating Women: The Core of Photography 21:10 Creating a Comfortable Experience: The Spotlight Effect 23:55 The Art of Transformation: From Nervousness to Confidence 26:56 A Full-Service Photography Experience 29:47 Empowering Aging Women: Breaking Societal Norms 32:52 Celebrating the Wisdom of Women: Stories of Resilience 36:18 Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs 38:06 Balancing 9 to 5 and Creative Pursuits 41:50 Networking and Community Building 45:23 The Importance of Continuous Learning 50:38 Branding and Client Experience 52:18 Finding Your Niche in Photography 57:18 The Emotional Impact of Photography 01:00:31 Personal Growth Through Creative Work 01:05:30 Legacy and Narrative in Portraits courtneyramsey.co social media: courtneyramsey.co

    1시간 19분
  2. First Light Coffee: Brewing a New Beginning After a Government Layoff

    11월 5일

    First Light Coffee: Brewing a New Beginning After a Government Layoff

    On this week’s episode - I sat down with Annie Leverich - founder of First Light Coffee. a Maryland-based coffee company rooted in connection, community, and giving back. Before launching her business, Annie led the press team for USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance and held communications roles with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the UN World Food Program. Annie worked for USAID for over a decade and When the Trump Administration shut down the agency, her role disappeared overnight. At first there was shock… and then she did the only thing that felt true:  bet on the dream she’d been saving for…A coffee company. In this episode, Annie and I get into how we went from working at USAID to taking a leap of faith into entrepreneurship, how she is blending her background in storytelling and humanitarian work to fuel her business, and her mission of giving back.  Resources: Website: firstlightcoffeemd.com Instagram: firstlightmornings

    46분
  3. Lola Capital Group: Flipping, Funding, and Forging a New Future for Baltimore

    10월 22일

    Lola Capital Group: Flipping, Funding, and Forging a New Future for Baltimore

    On today's episode, I spoke with Cornelius Weaver - the Fund Manager of the Baltimore Flip Fund, managed by Lola Capital Group—a real estate investment firm on a mission to breathe new life into Baltimore’s neighborhoods. With more than fifteen years in construction management and engineering, Cornelius has overseen over half a billion dollars in commercial projects—everything from university buildings to hospitals.  Alongside his wife and business partner, Ellena Weaver, he’s spent the last three years in the residential space, flipping and restoring homes that had been sitting vacant and turning them into affordable, beautiful places for families to live. Together, they’re not just building properties—they’re building pathways to wealth and revitalizing communities one house at a time. Cornelius lives by the scripture, “To whom much is given, much is required.” That principle guides both his work and his purpose—using what he’s been given to create lasting impact in the city of Baltimore. In this episode, Cornelius and I discuss the transformative impact of real estate investment in Baltimore. We explore the vision for Lola Capital Group, focusing on eradicating vacancies, creating affordable housing, and building generational wealth. Cornelius shares insights into the challenges and successes of flipping homes, the importance of community impact, and the personal journey of working alongside his wife. Email: partners@thelolacapitalgroup.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lolacapitalgroup/

    1시간 13분
  4. The Black Bar Applicant Fund: Helping Aspiring Lawyers Overcome The Financial Barriers of Admission

    10월 15일

    The Black Bar Applicant Fund: Helping Aspiring Lawyers Overcome The Financial Barriers of Admission

    On today’s show, I’m joined by Octavia Carson — an attorney, advocate, and the founder of The Black Bar Applicant Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing Black representation in the legal profession by helping aspiring lawyers overcome the financial barriers of bar admission. A first-generation attorney and valedictorian of Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Octavia created the Fund after witnessing firsthand how systemic inequities and economic hardship prevent many talented Black graduates from becoming licensed attorneys. Through her leadership, the organization has provided critical financial and emotional support for bar applicants across the country—covering exam fees, living expenses, and mentorship during one of the most challenging phases of their legal journey. In addition to her nonprofit work, Octavia is the principal attorney of Carson Legal Strategies PLLC, where she helps creatives and entrepreneurs protect their brands through trademarks, contracts, and business formation. Her mission across all of her work is to create access, equity, and empowerment in spaces where Black professionals have historically been excluded. When she’s not advocating for the next generation of Black attorneys, Octavia enjoys traveling—having visited over 40 countries—and uses her global experiences to inspire her approach to justice, creativity, and leadership. In this episode, We’ll talk about her personal journey, why the bar exam is more than just a test, and how her nonprofit is changing lives one applicant at a time. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Octavia Carson and Her Mission 02:52 The Bar Exam: Myths and Realities 05:47 Octavia's Journey to Law and Advocacy 08:33 Law School Experience During the Pandemic 11:34 The Movement for Diploma Privilege 14:36 Researching the Bar Exam's Racist History 17:37 The Impact of COVID-19 on Legal Education 20:22 Bar Exam Costs and Accessibility Issues 27:19 The Costly Journey to Becoming an Attorney 29:54 Advocating for Diploma Privilege 33:20 The Push for Bar Exam Reform 35:58 Founding the Black Bar Applicant Fund 39:54 Impact Stories from the Fund 45:54 Policy Changes for a Fairer Legal System 49:43 Making Law School Accessible 52:45 Supporting the Mission of Change Resources To learn more, visit blackbarapplicantfund.org, or email support@blackbarapplicantfund.org. You can also follow them on social media at @blackbarapplicantfund.

    1시간 1분
  5. Infinity Mobile Cigar Lounge: Redefining the Cigar Experience, Building a Legacy

    10월 8일

    Infinity Mobile Cigar Lounge: Redefining the Cigar Experience, Building a Legacy

    On this week’s episode - I sat down with Quincy and Tara Tucker, the founders of Infinity Mobile Cigar Lounge. The Infinity Mobile Cigar Lounge goes beyond the traditional brick and mortar setting by bringing an upscale cigar lounge experience directly to you! From Chesapeake, Virginia through the DMV and all over the east coast, Infinity Mobile Cigar Lounge’s sleek and sophisticated mobile lounge is designed to create an oasis of relaxation and sophistication wherever they park their wheels.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Infinity Mobile Cigar Lounge 03:04 The Journey of Entrepreneurship 05:47 The Concept and Design of the Lounge 09:00 Expanding the Business and Services Offered 12:04 Targeting the Female Audience in Cigar Culture 15:09 Creating a Unique Cigar Brand 17:56 The Importance of Product Diversification 20:55 Personal Background and Tobacco Heritage 24:47 Unexpected Paths: From Corporate to Entrepreneurship 27:22 Building Community Connections 28:24 Cigars and Motorcycles: A Unique Business Idea 29:22 Working with a Spouse: Trust and Comfort 31:29 Best Practices for Spousal Business Partnerships 32:54 Overcoming Initial Challenges in Business 34:24 Balancing Full-Time Work and Entrepreneurship 37:09 Learning from Mistakes in Business 40:19 The Power of Exposure and Networking 42:17 Generational Wealth: Beyond Money 45:11 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 46:17 Looking Ahead: Future Plans for the Business Resources: Website:https://www.infinitymobilecigarlounge.com/services Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/infinitymobilecigarlounge/

    52분
  6. A Bright Idea: Lessons I Learned from Students

    10월 1일

    A Bright Idea: Lessons I Learned from Students

    This week I'm bringing you a solo episode highlighting my recent speaking engagement with undergraduates at American University. Turns out I learned just as much from them as they learned from me. Here are 5 questions they asked me during Q&A that I think could benefit all of you. Enjoy!

    37분
  7. CDL Driving Academy: Bootstrapping from scratch to 7-figures and how he is helping businesses do the same

    9월 24일

    CDL Driving Academy: Bootstrapping from scratch to 7-figures and how he is helping businesses do the same

    This week, I am joined by Jonathan Marques, founder of CDL Driving Academy, one of the most recognized CDL training schools in the country, with over 150,000 subscribers on YouTube and a multi 7-figure business he built from the ground up. Jonathan recently launched a business consulting firm specifically to help small business owners doing $250,000+ in annual revenue scale up to $1,000,000+ in sales, $1,000,000+ in profit, and structure their companies to scale and sell. He’s passionate about sharing the exact systems, hiring frameworks, and mindset shifts that help everyday entrepreneurs break free from the “operator trap” and actually grow a business that runs — and sells — without them. In this conversation, Jonathan and I speak about his early years from starting his first business as a college athlete to building a successful truck driving school. Then we get into the importance of focusing on cash flow, the value of personal development, and innovative marketing strategies like leveraging YouTube to grow his business.

    1시간 12분
  8. The People's Institute for Common Good: Education Entrepreneurship and the Disruption of Traditional Education Systems

    9월 17일

    The People's Institute for Common Good: Education Entrepreneurship and the Disruption of Traditional Education Systems

    On this week's episode, I am joined by Dr. Lance Bennett -  the President and Founder of The People’s Institute for the Common Good, a non-profit organization with a big vision to create spaces where people come together to learn from each other, wrestle with hard questions, and serve their communities for the common good. He is also a Visiting Scholar at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Leadership, Equity & Justice and Center for Minority Serving Institutions at Rutgers University. Dr. Bennett is an adjunct faculty member in the Doctor of Education in Leadership and Higher Education Program at St. Edward’s University. In the higher education profession, he serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of Liberal Education, the flagship magazine of the American Association of Colleges and Universities. He is also a published author with articles published in the disciplines of higher education, teaching learning, and interpersonal communication.  In this episode - Dr. Bennett and I sat down to chat about how went from being on the track to becoming a university president to an educational entrepreneur. We get into how he's challenging traditional systems with the People's Institute for the Common Good, insights on creating spaces for lifelong learning, the importance of community-focused education, and his vision for a more inclusive and impactful educational landscape. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Lance Bennett and His Vision 12:11 Dr. Bennett's Journey in Education 20:14 Catalyst for Change: The Birth of the People's Institute 26:26 Building the People's Institute for Common Good 28:08 Exploring Community Learning Spaces 32:05 Creating Safe Spaces for Tough Conversations 36:14 Bridging Theory and Real-World Impact 40:26 The Future of Educational Entrepreneurship 45:12 Redefining Higher Education 50:41 Envisioning Success for the People's Institute Resources Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/instituteforcommongood/ Website: https://instituteforcommongood.org/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-people-s-institute-for-the-common-good/ https://instituteforcommongood.org/

    57분
모두 보기(67개)

4.8
최고 5점
18개의 평가

소개

Hey Everybody, this is Amber Key and you’re listening to ‘ A Bright Idea’ podcast, a show that sits down with entrepreneurs to hear about the ‘Aha' moment that launched their businesses. In each episode, founders share their story from idea to execution, insights on their industry, and key takeaways for anyone looking to pave their own path. Hear episodes on Wednesdays. You can listen to 'A Bright Idea' anywhere you listen to podcasts. If you are a founder or know someone who has launched a cool business and would like to be featured, email us at jacksonstreetmediaco@gmail.com.

정보

  • 제작진
    Amber Key
  • 방송 연도
    2023년 - 2025년
  • 에피소드
    67
  • 등급
    전체 연령 사용가
  • 저작권
    © Amber Key
  • 웹사이트 보기
    A Bright Idea

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