The Prosper Connector

S3E6: "Young Black Girl Syndrome," Live TV Mistakes, and Earning the Strategy Seat with Kayla Dawn Gladney

"Marketing is not the solution to most problems."  In this episode of Rotaract on the Road, Kayla Dawn Gladney, the founder of Dawn & Co., joins The Prosper Connector to talk about her evolution from a 25-year-old film grad starting a media agency to a highly trusted strategic consultant for Birmingham’s purpose-driven organizations . Kayla opens up about the terrifying leap of quitting her job before having a business plan, the hurdles of proving her competence to risk-averse decision-makers, and a sweat-inducing mistake involving live tornado footage that forever changed how she handles business diligence . We also explore the massive ROI of "horizontal networking" and how joining the Rotaract Club of Birmingham immediately accelerated her career by putting her in rooms with the city's future leaders . If you are a creative trying to transition into high-level strategy and consulting, Kayla’s unapologetic authenticity and selective business approach will give you the blueprint  Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@Prosper-Bham]. For more information, feel free to visit our website [https://prosperbham.com].

S3E5: Coffee Margins, Historic Pipes, and Managing Friends with Tyler Hatcher

"Resilience is another word for stubborn."  In this episode of Rotaract on the Road, Tyler Hatcher joins The Prosper Connector to discuss the gritty, community-first reality of building Grounds, a thriving craft coffee shop on 2nd Ave North. Tyler breaks down the terrifying decision to open a café in a city that already has 35 competitors, and how Grounds differentiates itself by operating as an amplifier for other sustainable, local makers . We talk through the notoriously tight profit margins of the coffee industry, the importance of protecting Birmingham's historical architecture, and the deep emotional complexities of employing your best friends . Plus, Tyler shares how the Rotaract Club of Birmingham serves as a vital generator for the city's next wave of economic and charitable impact . Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@Prosper-Bham]. For more information, feel free to visit our website [https://prosperbham.com].

S3E4: Stolen Ideas, Soft Skills, and Building a Video Startup with Jarrod Stisher

"If you can hold a conversation, you can do anything."  In this episode of Rotaract on the Road, Jarrod Stisher from KMD joins The Prosper Connector to discuss the real hustle of building a video production and storytelling business in Birmingham's fast-growing tech startup scene. Jared unpacks the vital lessons he’s learned along the way, including the hard truth about keeping your biggest ideas completely "on the low" until the deal is finalized so they don't get poached . We also explore the incredible value of soft skills, why his agency took a chance on a high-school co-founder, and how organizations like the Rotaract Club of Birmingham help young entrepreneurs intentionally shape the future of the Magic City. Whether you're an aspiring founder or a seasoned pro, Jared's insights on community building are pure gold. Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@Prosper-Bham]. For more information, feel free to visit our website [https://prosperbham.com].

S3E3: Contracts Over "Vibes" and Going from "Worker Bee" to CEO with Greg Cole

"I don't have problems, I have friends."  In this episode of Rotaract on the Road, Greg Cole, founder of Cole Event Management Solutions, joins The Prosper Connector to talk about the unfiltered reality of building an event management business in Birmingham, AL. Greg shares the pivotal lessons he's learned on his journey from Alabama State University to the Northeast, and back to the Magic City . We discuss the critical importance of protecting your business with solid contracts instead of relying on "vibes" , and the difficult mindset shift required to move from being an event planner doing the day-to-day work to the CEO and "architect" of a growing organization . We also explore how the Rotaract Club of Birmingham serves as a powerful networking community for young professionals, advocating for local entrepreneurs in rooms they haven't even entered yet. If you are an entrepreneur in Alabama struggling to delegate, build a community engagement strategy, or simply protect your business, this conversation is a must-listen . Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@Prosper-Bham]. For more information, feel free to visit our website [https://prosperbham.com].

S1E2: Real Estate, Radical Reflection, and Affordable Housing with Alexia McCall

"Check your resume, girl." Alexia McCall (The McCall Group) joins The Prosper Connector for the second installment of our Rotaract on the Road series. Alexia doesn't hold back on the "unfiltered" side of business—from the physical toll of burnout to the trial and error of learning business taxes. We discuss her path from a Ramsay High School grad to a licensed broker and homebuilder, and how the Rotaract Board Fellows program paired her with Habitat for Humanity to further her mission of community development . If you are a young professional trying to find your "place" in the city, this episode is your roadmap. Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@Prosper-Bham]. For more information, feel free to visit our website [https://prosperbham.com].