A Bright Idea

Amber Key
  • 4.8 (18)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

    4D AGO

    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.

    1h 1m
  2. Infinity Mobile Cigar Lounge: Redefining the Cigar Experience, Building a Legacy

    OCT 8

    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/

    52 min
  3. A Bright Idea: Lessons I Learned from Students

    OCT 1

    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!

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

    SEP 24

    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.

    1h 12m
  5. The People's Institute for Common Good: Education Entrepreneurship and the Disruption of Traditional Education Systems

    SEP 17

    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/

    57 min
  6. Prescription Chicken: Chicken Noodle Soup, Working with Family, and Just Starting over being Perfect

    SEP 3

    Prescription Chicken: Chicken Noodle Soup, Working with Family, and Just Starting over being Perfect

    This week, I’m joined by cousins Valerie Zweig and Taryn Pellicone of Prescription Chicken - A chicken noodle soup delivery business based in Washington, DC. Valerie and Taryn always knew they’d work in the food industry. As young girls, they would help their families host dinner parties, attend cooking camps and would eventually work to develop fast-casual and dining restaurants… But being entrepreneurs was not in the cards…until Valerie caught a bout of Laryngitis and couldn't find a delivery option for chicken noodle soup to give her the relief she needed. That’s when she called in her little cousin Taryn with the bright idea to make their own chicken noodle soap. With a dream, a concept, and some determination, the founders started prescription chicken in September 2016.  Now - prescription chicken is not only a soup delivery business. It can also be found in grocery stores and online. Not to mention, their newest product Cookstix - which is a new and sustainable take on chicken broth.  In this episode, we discuss how this simple idea turned into a thriving business, the challenges and triumphs that come with being food entrepreneurs, and the beauty behind forgetting about being perfect and just starting.  Resources: Website: Prescriptionchicken.com Socials: @prescriptionchicken Chapters: 00:00 Navigating Stress and Risk in Business 01:32 The Culinary Roots of Prescription Chicken 05:41 From Personal Experience to Business Idea 14:36 The Journey of Starting Prescription Chicken 22:48 Scaling the Business and Learning from Experience 30:49 Funding and Financial Growth Strategies 36:36 Innovating in the Chicken Stock Market 41:42 Challenges and Growth in Entrepreneurship 46:36 Advice for Aspiring Food Entrepreneurs 48:35 Future Plans and Innovations

    53 min
  7. TattMe: How these college roommates created an app that is transforming how people discover, connect with, and book tattoo artists

    AUG 27

    TattMe: How these college roommates created an app that is transforming how people discover, connect with, and book tattoo artists

    This week on A Bright Idea Podcast,I sit down with Mylon Blueford, co-founder of @tattme.app — a tech-driven platform transforming how people discover, connect with, and book tattoo artists. With a background in software engineering and a deep love for tattoo culture, Mylon is on a mission to make the tattoo industry more inclusive, efficient, and accessible. From simplifying the booking process to spotlighting underrepresented artists, TattMe is shaping the future of tattoo culture.

    1 hr
  8. Abokibee Kilishi: From the motherland to your tastebuds

    AUG 20

    Abokibee Kilishi: From the motherland to your tastebuds

    In this episode I sit down with Blessing Ndon, the inspiring founder of Abokibee Kilishi, a Nigerian beef jerky brand. Blessing shares her journey from childhood memories of Kilishi in Nigeria to launching her own jerky business in the US. Discover the cultural significance of Kilishi, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the power of authenticity and social media in building a brand. Abokibee Kilishi: https://abokibeemeats.com/ Abokibee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abokibeekilishi/

    1h 11m
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4.8
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Amber Key
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Amber Key
  • Show Website
    A Bright Idea

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