Episode 46: The Bourbon Experience You Didn’t Know You Needed

Episode 46: The Bourbon Experience You Didn’t Know You Needed

Summary   In this episode, Donna Bowman, aka the Bourbon Goddess, shares her journey into bourbon, the importance of education, and how she's making bourbon more accessible and inclusive for women and Black communities. She discusses bourbon history, tasting tips, and creative ways to host memorable bourbon experiences.  Keywords  Bourbon, Bourbon Tasting, Bourbon Education, Women in Bourbon, Black Bourbon Society, Bourbon Pairing, Bourbon History, Bourbon Lifestyle, Bourbon Brands, Bourbon Tips  Key topics   * Bourbon history and differentiation from Tennessee whiskey * The Lincoln County Process and Uncle Nearest's legacy * Starting with bourbon: proof, grains, and tasting tips * Building confidence in bourbon tasting and education * Creative bourbon experiences: pairings, tastings, and events    Chapters   00:00 Introduction to Bourbon Culture and the Bourbon Goddess 05:34 The Journey of a Bourbon Enthusiast 10:00 The Kentucky Derby: Tradition and Significance 15:21 Tasting Woodford Reserve: A Sensory Experience 19:34 Women in Bourbon: Breaking Stereotypes and Building Community 24:01 Building Confidence Through Resilience 28:29 Navigating the Bourbon World for Beginners 37:32 Curating Unique Tasting Experiences 45:44 Elevating Events with Bourbon Pairings    Resources   Uncle Nearest - https://unclenearest.com/ [https://unclenearest.com/] Woodford Reserve - https://www.woodfordreserve.com/ [https://www.woodfordreserve.com/] Bourbon Women - https://bourbonwomen.org/ [https://bourbonwomen.org/] SIPPosium - https://bourbonwomen.org/sippodium/ [https://bourbonwomen.org/sippodium/] Freddie Johnson - Buffalo Trace - https://buffalotracedistillery.com/ [https://buffalotracedistillery.com/] Maker's Mark - https://www.makersmark.com/ [https://www.makersmark.com/]      Guest links   Website - https://thebourbongoddess.com/ [https://thebourbongoddess.com/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebourbongoddess/ [https://www.instagram.com/thebourbongoddess/] TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bourbongoddess [https://www.tiktok.com/@bourbongoddess]

Episode 45: The Woman Behind Time Managed — The Concierge Who Really Does It All

In this special episode of One Minute with Monee, the tables are turned as guest host Rashidi Hendrix puts Monee Williams in the hot seat. To kick off Women’s History Month, Monee shares her journey from a corporate career at General Mills to founding Time Managed LLC, a high-touch luxury concierge and lifestyle management firm. She discusses the "Godwink" moment that inspired her business—a small gesture from a concierge that changed her perspective on service—and how she evolved from staffing desks to providing VVIP services for events like the Super Bowl and the World Cup. This conversation dives deep into the importance of thought partnership, proactive leadership, and Monee’s mission to help clients live with less stress and more balance. Keywords Time Managed LLC, Monee Williams, Rashidi Hendrix, Women’s History Month, Luxury Concierge, Private Client Services, Entrepreneurship, Women in Business, Time Management, VVIP Experiences, Super Bowl Concierge, World Cup Atlanta, B2B Lifestyle Management, Thought Partnership, Lifestyle Management, One Minute with Monee. Chapters * 00:00 – The Tables Turn: Rashidi Hendrix guest hosts for Women’s History Month. * 01:35 – Impact and Legacy: Recognizing the juggle of women business owners. * 04:22 – The Origin Story: How a "Black Princess Toothbrush" sparked a business idea. * 07:44 – The Power of Connection: Finding commonalities and solving problems. * 10:31 – Birthing Time Managed LLC: From a Memorial Day brainstorming session to official registration. * 13:10 – The Pivot to Luxury: Moving from staffing buildings to serving private, high-net-worth clients. * 15:45 – Leadership as Thought Partnership: Why being proactive is the key to elite service. * 19:15 – Community Leadership: Monee’s work with her sorority and chairing the board at Vox ATL. * 23:45 – High-Touch Services: From calendar management to international travel research. * 28:45 – VVIP & Major Events: Managing expectations for the Super Bowl and the upcoming World Cup. * 35:40 – The Real Deal: Navigating sleepless nights, staffing challenges, and business wins. * 45:15 – Reflection on Womanhood: Celebrating contributions and seeking affirmation. * 48:05 – The Future of Time Managed: Scaling through B2B services and the development of a concierge app. * 54:30 – Conclusion: Final thoughts on balance and how to stay connected.

Episode 44: How Livin Is Eliminating the Burden of Dinner

In this episode, Erica Tuggle, founder of Livin, shares how she transitioned from a high-powered career at Coca-Cola to building a platform that eliminates the "burden of dinner". We explore how Livin connects families with vetted local chefs who handle grocery shopping, cooking, and cleanup, allowing you to reclaim your time while prioritizing health. Whether you're managing a busy household or fueling a student-athlete, Erica’s insights on entrepreneurship, AI, and the "food preparation" distinction are a must-listen.  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exclusive Listener Offer Get 25% off your first month of personal chef services! Use the link or code below to start living well. * Referral Link: https://dinner.chooselivin.com/?promo_code=TIMEMGD26 [https://dinner.chooselivin.com/?promo_code=TIMEMGD26] * Promo Code: TIMEMGD26  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Key Takeaways from Erica Tuggle: * The "Food Prep" vs. "Cooking" Distinction: Why many families actually enjoy cooking but dread the mechanical "food preparation"—and how Livin solves for the latter. * Scaling Corporate Skills: How Erica used her MBA and corporate strategy background to stay focused on vision while navigating the "fires" of a startup. * The Marketplace Balancing Act: The difficulty of "doing everything twice"—marketing to both families and chefs while balancing supply and demand to ensure quality. * Building a Chef Community: How Livin provides a flexible, positive work environment for chefs that differs from the high-stress "horror stories" of professional kitchens. * Student-Athlete Nutrition: The specific value of "recovery meals" and protein boosts for youth athletes who often default to fast food.  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Episode Timestamps: * [00:00] Intro: The burden of dinner and the mission of Livin. * [03:14] The Corporate Pivot: Taking the "gift" of a clean break from Coca-Cola. * [05:33] Productivity & Focus: Strategies for prioritizing tasks with limited resources. * [08:42] The Tech Stack: Creating custom agents with Claude and learning via NotebookLM. * [14:08] Market Insights: Why Atlanta and LA are the perfect hubs for a health-focused lifestyle brand. * [15:59] Affordability: Breaking down the costs (roughly 30 per plate) vs. delivery services. * [25:29] The Vetting Process: Background checks, safety certifications, and kitchen sessions. * [32:30] Future Growth: Partnerships with Airbnb and expansion into new cities. * [37:05] Final Thoughts: Why you "shouldn't have to manage dinner" when you're doing it all.  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Resources & Links: * Livin Official Site: ChooseLivin.com [https://dinner.chooselivin.com/?promo_code=TIMEMGD26] * Livin Instagram: @choose_livin [https://www.instagram.com/choose_livin] * Claude AI: Erica’s tool for creating custom business agents. * Google NotebookLM: Erica’s tool for competitive analysis and growth strategy.  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Erica Tuggle: * LinkedIn: Erica Tuggle [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-tuggle-mba/] * Instagram: @choose_livin [https://www.instagram.com/choose_livin] This episode is packed with actionable insights for busy parents and entrepreneurs looking to streamline their lives and build community-driven solutions.

Episode 43: From Scarcity to Strategy Building Wealth with Intention

In this episode, Derrick Ramsey shares his journey and insights into financial literacy, investing, budgeting, and planning for retirement. Discover practical tips for starting your financial journey, overcoming mindset barriers, and leveraging tools to build wealth across generations. Derrick Ramsey is the co-founder of Young, Black & Lit and a seasoned financial services executive with more than a decade of experience in portfolio credit management and risk analytics. Currently a Vice President at Synchrony, he has led credit acquisition and portfolio strategies for major national brands, driving profitable growth, operational efficiency, and risk mitigation in Fortune 500 environments. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a master’s degree in Industrial & Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan, bringing a rigorous, data-driven lens to both his professional work and community impact. Key Topics * The importance of financial literacy and early education * Practical steps to start investing with small budgets * Budgeting frameworks and tools for consistent savings * The significance of employer matches and retirement accounts * Mindset shifts needed to overcome scarcity mentality Resources LinkedIn - Derrick Ramsey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrick-ramsey-5505b313/ Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki - https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Dad-Poor-Teach-Middle/dp/1612680194 Ramit Sethi's Financial Books - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ramit+sethi Target Date Funds Overview - https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/targetdatefund.asp Fidelity Retirement Accounts - https://www.fidelity.com/retirement-ira/overview Robinhood Investment Platform - https://robinhood.com/ Charles Schwab Educational Resources - https://www.schwab.com/learn Young Black and Lit Nonprofit - https://www.youngblackandlit.org/

Episode 42: Dr. Tope Mitchell on Revolutionizing Inclusivity & Representation

In this episode, host Monée Williams sits down with Dr. Tope Mitchell, the visionary founder of Reflekt Me, to discuss the intersection of sociology, technology, and inclusive commerce. Dr. Mitchell shares her journey from corporate strategist to tech founder, explaining how her background in sociology helped her identify the "neurological damage" caused by a lack of representation in the beauty and fashion industries. We dive deep into the concept of "symbolic annihilation," the "art of the pivot" in business, and the vital importance of building a "village" for both personal and professional success About Our Guest: Dr. Tope Mitchell Dr. Tope Mitchell is a powerhouse at the intersection of sociology, strategy, and technology. As the CEO and co-founder of Reflekt Me, she is redefining personalization by helping brands turn "browsers into buyers" through inclusive social proof. She is a published author, professor, and VC-backed tech founder whose leadership has been recognized by top accelerators like Techstars and Backstage Capital. Dr. Mitchell holds a PhD and Master's in Sociology from Indiana University Bloomington and a BA from the University of Washington. Before founding Reflekt Me, she served as a multicultural insights leader for Fortune 500 companies at firms like Mintel and Kantar Futures. Driven by a mission to "humanize the dehumanized," her work is deeply inspired by her two children and her desire for authentic representation in the digital world. Key Topics Discussed The Problem of Symbolic Annihilation: Dr. Mitchell explains the sociological theory that when groups are absent from media and advertising, they are effectively "annihilated" from existence in the public consciousness, which can lead to dehumanization and trauma. The High Cost of Exclusion: How the standard "5'10 size two model" causes literal neurological trauma for consumers, with 80% of shoppers blaming their own bodies for bad shopping experiences rather than the retailer. The Reflekt Me Solution: A look at the social selling app that allows customers to see products on people who share their size, hair texture, and skin tone, creating a "mirror" for self-love and a "window" into other communities. The Startup Journey & The Pivot: Transitioning from "whale hunting" enterprise clients like Levi Strauss & Co. to building a Shopify app that supports women-owned brands like Puff Cuff and Rapalock. Community as a Superpower: The role of groups like Black Women Talk Tech and Visible Figures in navigating the challenges of being a Black woman founder in a space often filled with microaggressions and high perfectionist standards. Finding Harmony: A candid discussion on the myth of "balance" and the necessity of leaning on a community village for childcare and emotional support . Memorable Quotes "Research can provide this seat at the table and marketing can provide this mirror and this window." "Look in the mirror every day and tell [yourself] that [you are] your ancestors' wildest dreams." "The art of the pivot... just take those pieces and find your own path." Connect with Dr. Tope Mitchell Website: www.reflektme.com Instagram: @reflekt_me LinkedIn: Dr. Tope Mitchell Shopify: Download the Reflekt Me app directly in the Shopify Marketplace Mentions: Lizzo, T.I., Andrew Young, Harriet Tubman, Rihanna, Savage x Fenty