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Today, we’re honored to sit down with Verdel Jones; an educator, author, media host, and community connector with over 30 years of experience in public education. From teacher to school counselor to district-level administrator, Verdel has devoted her career to empowering others through knowledge and access.

She’s the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Share Inform Enlighten, the producer and host of Conversations with Verdel Jones, an author, and an award-winning advocate for equity and community-building.

Her passion for sharing resources and uplifting others is truly inspiring. In this episode, we explore the impact of her work, her journey through education and media, and the powerful lessons she’s learned along the way.

We Talk About:

• How her childhood shaped her journey
• Her love for being an educator
• Working together as a family
• Forming her LLCs and nonprofit

Documentaries Mentioned:
- Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story
Watch on Amazon
- Soul Food Junkies by Byron Hurt
Read More Here

Resources:
NOLO Legal Resources – legal guidance for small businesses

Featured Guests on Interviewed by Verdel Jones:

• Dr. Steve Perry
  Watch Episode
• Chef Marc Bynum
  Watch Episode
• Vera Moore
  Watch Episode

Upcoming Events:
View the latest events from Share Inform Enlighten:
shareinformenlighten.org/events

Podcasts/Media:

• Conversations with Verdel Jones
  Watch on YouTube
• Let’s Kick It With The Joneses
  Watch on YouTube

Connect with Verdel:

• Website: shareinformenlighten.org
• Instagram: @verdel_jones
• LinkedIn: Verdel Jones
• Facebook: Conversations With Verdel Jones

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Guest: Lorena Fregoso, Founder of Canela Career Academy

Lorena Fregoso is the Founder of Canela Career Academy and an advocate for diverse talent, career development, and inclusion. With over 15 years of experience across tech, legal, architecture, and private equity, Lorena is reshaping how we prepare and support the next generation of professionals.

In addition to leading her own venture, she currently serves as Career Development Manager at Stanford University, where she empowers students to explore and pursue meaningful career paths. Lorena also leads as Co-chair of the La Raza Staff Association, a 300+ member employee resource group focused on community and equity.

We talk about:
✅ What inspired her to enter this space
✅ How her parents empowered her to choose her own path
✅ Learning from those who came before her
✅ How she’s creating real change in the talent acquisition world

Mentioned in the Episode:

Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life by Arnold Schwarzenegger

Build the Damn Thing by Kathryn Finney

Connect with Lorena:

Instagram: @canelaconlorena

LinkedIn: Lorena Fregoso

Website: canelacareeracademy.com

Email: hello@canelacareeracademy.com

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Guest: Lisa M Dublin, Founder of Optimum Success Strategies Inc.

In this episode, we chat with Lisa Dublin, a health and life coach, speaker, and creative professional whose journey is a true testament to resilience and reinvention. Lisa shares her journey of overcoming depression, an eating disorder, heartbreak, and the challenges of relocating to a new country; all of which helped shape the businesswoman, writer, and coach she is today.

Also a devoted wife, mom, runner, and performance poet, Lisa empowers others to win at life by sharing the lessons and mindset shifts that helped her along her own journey.

We talk about:

• Always being enterprising (even as a child)
• Pivoting with purpose
• The power of coaching and being coached
• Learning from others
• Speaking With Confidence
• Finding your place and your people
• Living with deep desire and intention

Books We Mentioned:
Good Girl Gone Wife by Lisa Dublin
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice by Dennis Kimbro and Napoleon Hill

Connect with Lisa:
Email: lisamdublin@gmail.com
Website: www.lisamdublin.com
Instagram: @lisamdublin
Facebook: @lisamdublin

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Guest: Madison Henderson of Anya Creative Co.

By day, she's driving change in her community. By night, she's building brands that shine. In this inspiring episode, we chat with Madison Henderson, a marketing and communications professional who’s just as passionate about improving her hometown as she is about helping entrepreneurs bring their dream brands to life.

Madison is the founder of Anya Creative Co., a boutique brand and web design studio that empowers small businesses to show up confidently online. We dive into her journey of launching her business, the challenges she’s overcome, and the role that faith, belief, and bold decisions have played in her success.

Whether you're a business owner, creative, or community leader, Madison's story will encourage you to make an impact; both locally and digitally.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• What inspired Madison to launch Anya Creative Co.
• The lessons she’s learned throughout her business journey
• How she helps clients gain clarity and confidence in their brand
• The power of believing in yourself and stepping out in faith
• Taking risks, trusting the process, and staying true to your vision

Madison’s Work in Action:
Explore these beautiful websites designed by Madison at Anya Creative Co.:

• Lunar Reflections LLC
• Loving the Journey Co
• CME Accounting LLC

Connect with Madison Henderson:

• Website: www.anyacreative.co
• Email: info@anyacreative.co
• LinkedIn: Madison Henderson

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Guest: Michelle Lee Myrter – Certified BANK Coach | International Bestselling Author | Keynote Speaker

Description:
Michelle Lee Myrter is an award-winning Certified BANK Coach and Licensed Trainer, Networking Ninja, and Keynote speaker with over 30 years in Corporate Sales and years of experience in Direct Sales.

Michelle shares how the BANK Methodology helped her grow a startup to over $2 million in under three years and how it helped her save her relationship with her son. Now, her mission is to empower others with the same tools so they can experience time freedom, financial independence, and the best relationships possible.

Michelle's Recommended Book:
The 5AM Club by Robin Sharma

Useful Links:
Learn more about BANK: https://codebreakerglobal.com

Connect with Michelle:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-myrter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myrter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellelee_721

Website: https://artandscienceofinfluence.now.site/home

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Guest: Sylvester Herman, Founder of Island Slice Distillery

Today, we’re sharing a story as bold and complex as the rum he crafts. Meet Sylvester Herman, a fourth-generation distiller from St. Lucia whose journey has taken him across the world—from New York to Germany, Iraq to Afghanistan, and now to Dumbarton, Scotland, where he’s making his mark in the local drinks industry.

Born into a world without running water, Sylvester’s path led him through military service in the British Army, a career in law enforcement, and ultimately, a return to his roots—turning his passion into Island Slice, a rum that brings the spirit of the Caribbean to Scottish shores.

How does a St. Lucian distiller infuse the soul of the islands into Scotland’s rich spirits tradition? Stay tuned—this is a story of resilience, reinvention, and exceptional rum.

Recommended Reading
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki

Industry References: UK vs. US

Business Registration & Tax Authorities:
UK: Companies House | US: Secretary of State (in each state)
UK: HMRC (His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) | US: IRS (Internal Revenue Service)

Regulatory & Licensing Agencies:
UK: Bonded Warehouse | US: Customs Bonded Warehouse
UK: Local Councils | US: City, Town, and County Councils

Want to Connect with Sylvester?
Sylvester is open to conversations! If you’d like to learn more or discuss his journey, feel free to reach out and let him know you heard him on our podcast.

Website: Island Slice
Email: sylvester@islandslice.co.uk
Facebook: Island Slice Rum
Instagram: @islandslicerum

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Video Version also available: https://youtu.be/cTIrYhpVk_E

Guest: Jardé Pierre - Cinematographer and Visual Storyteller

Episode Overview: Jardé Pierre is a Cinematographer and Visual Storyteller based in St. Lucia. Specializing in Corporate Marketing, Documentaries, and Film, Jardé has collaborated with major organizations like Republic Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) St. Lucia, Cabot St. Lucia, and the St. Lucia Cancer Society to create impactful visual content.

Before stepping behind the camera, Jardé was an accomplished pianist, performing on global stages. However, the COVID-19 pandemic sparked a career shift, leading him to refine his cinematography skills through programs like Full Time Filmmaker and Cinema Mastery. Since then, he has produced two talk shows, Our Meeting at the Crossroads and After Talk (for Upward and Onward LLC), as well as an audio and video podcast, The Gents of the 3.5. His work also includes the TV show Blendah, which aired on Choice TV (St. Lucia).

With over a decade of experience, Jardé combines creativity with strategy, using video storytelling to help businesses attract clients, boost engagement, and build trust. His passion for innovation and collaboration shines through in every project.

Jardé's Takeaways from His Business Journey & Actionable Tips:

• Educate yourself about financial literacy
• Figure out whether your idea is profitable
• Analyze industry leaders: Look at someone already doing what you aim to do, identify what makes them successful, and either replicate their strategies or improve upon them to make them your own
• Separate business and personal finances

Recommended Book:

• Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki

References:

• SEDU (Small Enterprise Development Unit)

Resources:

• Time with Jardé: If you’d like to connect with Jardé, please reach out using the contact information below. Let him know that you heard him on our podcast!

Contact Information:

• Email: info@jardepmedia.com
• Phone: +1 758-488-7382
• Social Media: Instagram/TikTok/Facebook: @jardep

Thank you for tuning in! Be sure to subscribe for more insightful conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, and business professionals.

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If you're a small business owner striving to make a mark in the digital world, this conversation is for you! For over seven years, Dazjon Designs, a Digital Branding Agency, has been empowering small businesses to build a strong online presence. Dazjon helps ambitious entrepreneurs strategically align their vision to connect with their ideal audience through top-notch services, including web design, branding, and asset development.

Join us as we dive into the journey of Dazjon Designs, uncovering the passion and strategy behind their mission to support and grow driven businesses like yours. Get ready to be inspired and learn how to elevate your brand in today's competitive landscape!

Dazjon’s Key Takeaways & Actionable Tips:

✅ Write it down – Whatever you’re looking to pursue, put it on paper. Writing makes your goals tangible.
✅ Find an accountability buddy – Having someone to check in with can keep you on track and motivated.
✅ Network, network, network – Attend workshops, webinars, and business events to connect with like-minded professionals.

Recommended Book:

Switch by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

References Mentioned:

Alignable – Business Networking Platform
SCORE – Free Mentorship and Business Resources

Resources & Contact Information:

Want to connect with Dazjon Ross? Let her know you heard her on Begin Build Blossom!

Email: create@dazjondesigns.com
Website: www.dazjondesigns.com
Instagram: @dazjondesigns

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow entrepreneurs looking to level up their brand!