Start Smart: How to Use Our Resources | What’s the Word Mi Gente

Episode 5 – What’s Your Brand Talking About? l What’s the Word Mi Gente

In this episode of What’s the Word Mi Gente, we’re diving deep into the world of branding, creativity, and social media growth with three powerhouse women who are shaping Milwaukee’s creative scene. Whether you’re launching your first business, refreshing your brand identity, or trying to land more collaborations, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiration. ️ Featured Guests ● Nadeena Granville – Brand Strategist & Creative Director, Gaining Visuals ● Katie Jackson – Founder of Milwaukee Mondays, Social Media Personality & Event Host ● Gabbie Fernandez – Lash Entrepreneur & Educator, Founder of Lashin’ Vogue 🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ● Branding tips every entrepreneur should know (and common mistakes to avoid) ● How to budget for branding & marketing as a business owner ● Building credibility and securing collaborations through social media ● Landing brand deals, conference invites, and speaking opportunities ● Scaling a beauty brand and turning services into education-based businesses ● Keeping your creative drive alive while balancing business growth 📚 Resources Mentioned: ● F** You Pay Me* – Platform to compare and share influencer brand deals ● Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss – Negotiation must-read ● MKE Hummingbirds – Local influencer agency for in-kind partnerships ● Obvious.ly – Influencer agency for PR packages & partnerships ● The Plug XO – Influencer agency for paid partnerships & resources (contact @allnaturalg_) ● Klear with Meltwater – Media kit + insights tool for creators 💡 Takeaway: Your brand is more than a logo—it’s a conversation. And if you’re not in control of that conversation, someone else is. This episode will inspire you to take ownership of your brand voice, secure meaningful collaborations, and grow creatively while building your business. 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with a fellow entrepreneur or creative who’s ready to level up their brand! #SmallBusinessFinance #Entrepreneurship #MoneyMoves #WhatsTheWordMiGente #StartupWisconsin #BrandStrategy #SocialMediaGrowth

Episode 4 – Money Moves: Proper Business Financing | What’s the Word Mi Gente

Welcome back to What’s the Word Mi Gente — your ultimate resource guide for business, innovation, entrepreneurship, and financial empowerment in Wisconsin and beyond. In this episode, we’re talking money moves — the financial basics every entrepreneur needs to build a strong foundation for their business. From understanding key financial statements to separating personal and business budgets, our guests share practical advice to help you grow with confidence. Joining me are three powerhouse women in finance: ✨ Talaya Scott – Founder of FIIT Perspective (fiitperspective.com) ✨ Cheryl McMurtry – Owner of McMurtry Financial Services (mcmurtryfinancialservices.com) ✨ Veronica Powell – Founder of Empowering Wealth Financial Coaching (empoweringwealthcoaching.com) Together, we unpack: ● The three key financial statements every business owner should know (Balance Sheet, Profit & Loss, Cash Flow) ● The most common financial pitfalls new entrepreneurs face — and how to avoid them ● How to budget for your personal life vs. your business ● Tools and systems that make managing cash flow easier ● Why separating business and personal finances is essential for long-term success If you’ve ever felt unsure about your numbers, this conversation will give you the clarity and confidence to start managing your business finances like a pro. ️ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss a new episode! 🔗 Follow us on Instagram: [@whatthewordmigente] 💬 Drop a comment: What’s one money move you wish you made sooner in your business? #SmallBusinessFinance #Entrepreneurship #MoneyMoves #WhatsTheWordMiGente #StartupWisconsin

Start Smart: How to Use Our Resources | What’s the Word Mi Gente

️ Episode 3 – Start Smart: How to Use Our Resources | What’s the Word Mi Gente Welcome back to What’s the Word Mi Gente — your go-to resource guide for business, innovation, entrepreneurship, and financial empowerment in Wisconsin and beyond. In this episode, we’re diving into the federal and local resources every entrepreneur should know about. Whether you’re just getting started or growing your business, organizations like the SBA, SBDC, and SCORE can provide free and accessible support to help you succeed. Joining me for this powerful conversation are three experts in Wisconsin’s small business ecosystem: ✨ Tammie Clendenning – U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) ✨ Athena Agoudemos – Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) ✨ Bridget Winters – SCORE Wisconsin Together, we break down: ● What SBA, SBDC, and SCORE really do for entrepreneurs ● How to access mentorship, workshops, and loan programs ● When to reach out and which organization to start with If you’ve ever wondered where to turn for support, this episode is your roadmap. These organizations exist to help you succeed — and the best part? Most of their services are free or low-cost. ️ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss a new episode! 🔗 Follow us on Instagram: [@whatthewordmigente] 💬 Drop a comment: Have you worked with SBA, SBDC, or SCORE? What was your experience? #SmallBusinessResources #Entrepreneurship #SBA #SBDC #SCORE #WhatsTheWordMiGente #StartupWisconsin

Episode 2 – Legal Moves: Protecting Your Business from Day One | What’s the Word Mi Gente

Welcome back to What’s the Word Mi Gente — your ultimate resource guide for business, innovation, entrepreneurship, and financial empowerment in Wisconsin and beyond. In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the most overlooked parts of starting a business: the legal foundation. From choosing the right entity structure to understanding trademarks, copyrights, and contracts, we cover the essentials every entrepreneur should know before (and after) launching. Joining me for this insightful conversation is Nathan Hammons, Clinical Professor and Director of the Law and Entrepreneurship Clinic at Marquette University. With his expertise in business law — and personal experience as a former founder — Nathan brings both practical advice and lived perspective on what it really takes to protect your business. ✨ What you’ll learn in this episode: ● How to choose the right business entity (LLC, corporation, etc.) ● When and how to trademark or copyright your work ● The most common legal mistakes entrepreneurs make — and how to avoid them ● Key contracts and protections every small business should have in place ● Free and low-cost legal resources available to Wisconsin entrepreneurs Whether you’re just starting out or already building your brand, this episode will give you the legal confidence to move forward the right way. ️ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss a new episode! 🔗 Follow us on Instagram: [@whatthewordmigente] 💬 Drop a comment: What’s one legal question you wish you knew the answer to before starting your business? #BusinessLaw #Entrepreneurship #MilwaukeeStartups #WhatsTheWordMiGente #StartupWisconsin

Entrepreneur Mindset: Do we all have it?

Welcome to the very first episode of What’s the Word Mi Gente — your ultimate resource guide for business, innovation, entrepreneurship, and financial empowerment in Wisconsin and beyond. In this kickoff conversation, we’re diving into the entrepreneurial mindset — what it means, how to develop it, and whether it’s something you’re born with or can build over time. Joining me for this powerful episode are three inspiring leaders: ✨ Dr. Nadiyah Johnson, Founder of Milky Way Tech Hub (https://www.milkywaytechhub.com/) ✨ Patrick Snyder, President of BizStarts (https://bizstarts.com/) ✨ Lexi Brunson, Founder & Editor in Chief of CopyWrite Magazine (https://copywritemag.com/) Together, we unpack personal journeys, discuss overcoming fear, and share what it really takes to create and sustain a vision as an entrepreneur. Whether you’re thinking about starting a business or already on the journey, this episode will leave you motivated and ready to take action. 🛎️ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss a new episode. 🔗 Follow us on Instagram: @whatsthewordmigente 💬 Leave a comment below: What does “entrepreneur mindset” mean to you?