
Hosted by Dr. Frances A. Ince, Chief Encouraging Officer · EN

What happens when a leader stops waiting for permission and starts building something that genuinely serves people? This week, Becky Stonebarger, owner of The Beacon Center, joins us to share the vision, the work, and the heart behind what she has built. Becky's story is one of purpose meeting action — and her approach to leading and serving her community carries powerful lessons for every entrepreneur and leader who has ever felt called to build something that truly matters. What You'll Learn: The vision behind The Beacon Center and the community it was built to serve What it really means to build a purpose-driven business from the ground up Lessons in leadership, resilience, and showing up fully for the people who need you Connect with Becky: meetingspaceforyou.com Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs a beacon right now.

Ashley Brooke Creative Studio has spent the past decade proving that meaningful storytelling creates lasting brands. In this episode, we explore how the studio became a trusted creative partner for companies including Meta, Google, Spotify, Hulu, Sony Pictures TV, and Coachella. We discuss building a business without relying on a large digital presence, staying authentic in a competitive creative industry, and why culture-driven storytelling continues to outperform trends. We also discuss their recent Netflix collaboration with Strong Black Lead, creative leadership, award-winning design, and what the future looks like for modern branding. Topics include: • Brand strategy • Creative leadership • Storytelling • Marketing • Design • Business growth • Creative entrepreneurship Subscribe for more conversations with innovators shaping the future of business and culture.

What if financial success isn't about making more money—but understanding the systems behind it? In this episode, financial educator, licensed real estate professional, independent publisher, and author Dr. Lisa shares how credit, homeownership, and financial literacy shape long-term financial outcomes. We discuss the hidden rules that influence wealth, common financial misconceptions, and practical steps anyone can take to build a stronger financial future. Whether you're buying your first home, rebuilding your credit, or looking to create generational wealth, this conversation offers practical guidance and inspiration. It Was Never Just About the Numbers is available on Amazon. Fix the Credit File: The Ultimate Credit Guide is available at DrLisaHoover.com. Topics include: • Financial literacy • Credit education • Homeownership • Wealth building • Financial decision-making • Generational wealth Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help others discover these valuable conversations.

How do you protect everything you've worked so hard to build? In this episode, Dr. Frances Arleen Ince sits down with Jeffrey Hines, State Farm Agent in Oak Park, Illinois, to discuss protecting families, businesses, and legacies through thoughtful planning and trusted relationships. Jeffrey shares lessons from years of serving clients, leading within the Austin Chamber of Commerce, and serving as National Strategic Chair for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Together, they explore leadership, community, preparation, and the importance of protecting what matters most. Whether you're a business owner, parent, professional, or community leader, you'll walk away with practical insights that can help you prepare for life's unexpected moments. Topics Covered: Protecting your family and business Leadership and community impact Risk management and preparation Building trust through service Creating a lasting legacy

What does it actually take to build a business worth buying? This week, operator CEO, advisor, and founder of Acresis, Steven Pivnik, joins us for a masterclass on exits, scale, and the decisions that separate founders who cash out from founders who burn out. Steven has guided founders through 33 exits totaling over $1.1 billion — and his own journey from two failed startups to leading an international company of 200 employees and ultimately a strategic exit to a four-billion-dollar competitor is the kind of story every entrepreneur needs to hear at least once. What You'll Learn: What exit readiness really means and why most founders are not there yet How to identify and eliminate founder dependency before it tanks your valuation The clear roadmap from scrappy startup to strategic, profitable exit and generational wealth Connect with Steven: https://stevenpivnik.com Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a founder who is building to sell.

How well do you really know yourself — and how much is that blind spot costing you in your business and your life? This week, author and coach Dr. Ernest Duncan Jr. joins us to unpack the powerful framework at the heart of his book, The Third Mirror. Dr. Duncan brings a coaching perspective that challenges entrepreneurs and leaders to look beyond the surface and confront the reflections most people spend a lifetime avoiding — because that is where real growth lives. What You'll Learn: What the third mirror reveals about who you truly are and how you show up How self-awareness directly impacts your leadership, decisions, and business growth The coaching principles Dr. Duncan uses to help clients step into their next level Connect with Dr. Duncan: coachedbyernest.com Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a leader who is ready to do the deeper work.

What is really standing between you and the results you've been working toward? This week, Certified Life Mastery Consultant and transformational speaker Pamela Moyo joins us to explore the inner work that drives outer results — and why clarity is not just a feeling, it's a strategy. Pam works with professionals, entrepreneurs, and purpose-driven individuals to shift limiting beliefs, gain real clarity, and create meaningful success through vision-driven strategies that actually work. What You'll Learn: How to identify and shift the limiting beliefs that are quietly blocking your growth Why clarity is the non-negotiable foundation of every sustainable success strategy The vision-driven framework Pam uses to help clients create lasting, meaningful results Connect with Pam:website Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who is ready for their breakthrough.

What if you could build a real business in just two hours a week? This week, author and entrepreneur Ken Chester joins us to share the system behind his book, Two-Hour Entrepreneur — and reveals the one word that quietly destroys more businesses than lack of funding or skill ever could. As the founder of TechMobility Productions, a Black-owned multimedia firm in Des Moines, Iowa, Ken brings both the strategy and the lived experience of building something real. What You'll Learn: The proven two-hour-a-week framework for building a sustainable business The single word that is silently killing businesses — and how to eliminate it How to build a multimedia presence and brand as an entrepreneur of color Connect with Ken: techmobility.show. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this with an entrepreneur who needs a system that actually works.

What happens when educators stop seeing themselves solely as teachers and start thinking like CEOs? Dr. Erica Jordan-Thomas joins the podcast to discuss leadership, entrepreneurship, and helping educators transform their expertise into thriving businesses. We discuss: • The identity shift from educator to entrepreneur • Why educators are natural business leaders • Building a sustainable consulting business • Breaking burnout cycles and finding purpose • Equity, representation, and leadership in entrepreneurship • The 7-FigurED™ Framework Whether you're an educator, entrepreneur, or leader looking to create greater impact, this conversation offers practical insights and inspiration.

What separates businesses that grow from those that struggle? In this episode, marketing strategist and founder Janelle Jones shares practical strategies entrepreneurs can use to clarify their positioning, strengthen their messaging, and create sustainable business growth. We discuss: • Why positioning matters more than most business owners realize • Common marketing mistakes entrepreneurs make • How to communicate your value clearly • Creating a scalable business model • Strategies for long-term growth and success If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or consultant looking to attract more clients and grow with confidence, this episode is for you.