It's event season! getting ready to network this week. Got work lined up in Boston and videos to edit.
Flashback: This episode is from Fall 2021
Jon details his journey from being a cook to running a restaurant. He spent some time in the corporate world along and the way and learned how to merge skillsets from two different industries.
New Week, New check-in. You may hear my daughter crying in the background. I kept it in for authenticity.
Just got back from South Carolina, 3 days rest, then back on the road.
Another week, another check-in. Took a trip to Boston and I'm getting ready to head to South Carolina.
Flashback: This episode is from Summer 2021.
In this episode, we learn about ad agencies and why sometimes it may be best to keep the moonlighting a secret.
I'm still here! Posting content and planning a trip to Boston.
We interviewed Maurice from North Carolina. We discussed film projects, our favorite movies and our shared love of Japan. Maurice shares the story of his Photobook and why it's important to him.
Also, Joel got laid off. We'll talk about that too.
I'm going to start giving updates on my personal and professional progress again. Let's see where this goes.
The Moonlighters' Club is pulling a pivot. Enter: The Moonlighters' Agency. Take a listen to hear why we created the agency and what our plans are for the future.
No matter what, we'll continue to interview and spotlight new Moonlighters.
We’re going to look back on the past episodes of Yours, Mine and Ours and we’ll preview what’s coming down the road. Recording these episodes has been a great experience and we’re excited for the future!
Special thanks to The Ujima Team!
Ujima has teamed up with the Moonlighters' Club and Ujima's Business Support Member Team to produce a new podcast: Yours, Mine, and Ours! "Yours, Mine, and Ours" spotlights the businesses of Ujima's Good Business Alliance, created for the community, by the community, with a special emphasis on Ujima's good business standards.
In this episode, host Joel Edwards chats with Marcus Johnson-Smith of cannabis accessory business, Kush Groove. The Kush Groove brand was established in 2011 by Michael Pires and Marcus Johnson-Smith as an expression brand for city stoners. City streets, all over the world, have seen the growth of the new age urban hippie—young, fresh, and dynamic.
Recently, Kush Groove was invited to join the Ujima Good Business Alliance, and spoke with host, Joel, about their journey to becoming Boston’s hub for cannabis style and culture. Learn more at: www.kushgroove.com This episode concludes the first season of Yours, Mine, and Ours. Check back in a few months for the debut of our new season, with a whole new lineup of businesses to explore.
Ujima has teamed up with the Moonlighters' Club and Ujima's Business Support Member Team to produce a new podcast: Yours, Mine, and Ours!
"Yours, Mine, and Ours" spotlights the businesses of Ujima's Good Business Alliance, created for the community, by the community, with a special emphasis on Ujima's good business standards. In this episode, host Joel Edwards chats with Nia Grace and Turahn Dorsey of Jazz Urbane Cafe.
Jazz Urbane Cafe is a new arts and restaurant venture planned to launch soon in Boston’s Nubian Square neighborhood. This space will be an urban arts venue that spotlights local and national artists who define and celebrate the diverse cultural traditions that make Boston a unique and global city. Check out this episode for the story behind the music, and what Jazz Urbane hopes for a more joyous and creative Boston.
Learn more at: www.jazzurbanecafe.com
Ujima has teamed up with the Moonlighters' Club and Ujima's Business Support Member Team to produce a new podcast: Yours, Mine, and Ours! "Yours, Mine, and Ours" spotlights the businesses of Ujima's Good Business Alliance, created for the community, by the community, with a special emphasis on Ujima's good business standards.
In this episode, host Joel Edwards chats with Kai Grant, the founder of Black Market Nubian. This eclectic marketplace is widely accepted as one of Boston’s premiere spaces to gather, meet and shop, understanding the need for micro-business founders to develop the business acumen and literacy needed to move towards sustainability.
In its five year span, it has hosted over 81 marketplaces, 64 events, 3 festivals, 3 teach-ins, 4 health and wellness classes with over 300 vendors and 30,000 estimated visitors. Check out this episode for a deeper look at Black Market’s journey to become a hub for Black cultural and economic vibrancy in the city. Learn more at blackmarketnubian.com.
"Yours, Mine, and Ours" spotlights the businesses of Ujima's Good Business Alliance, created for the community, by the community, with a special emphasis on Ujima's good business standards.
In 2019, Ujima members voted to invest $100,000 in CERO Cooperative, an award-winning worker-owned commercial composting company based out of Dorchester, MA. In this episode, host Joel Edwards sits down with Lor Holmes, Founder and Operations Manager, who leads venture development and capitalization strategies for CERO.
Ujima has teamed up with the Moonlighters' Club and Ujima's Business Support Member Team to produce a new podcast: Yours, Mine, and Ours!
"Yours, Mine, and Ours" spotlights the businesses of Ujima's Good Business Alliance, created for the community, by the community, with a special emphasis on Ujima's good business standards.
In this episode, host Joel Edwards sits down with Apolo Catala, who serves as a Board Member for the Dorchester Food Coop: a grassroots initiative to build a community & worker-owned grocery store that makes healthy food accessible and advances economic opportunity.
Take a listen to hear about Dorchester Food Coop’s journey, how they engage members, and bring fresh, healthy food to the variety of cultural, racial, and socio-economic groups in Boston.
Meet Jared.
Jared is the founder of Pineapple AF.
Tools for people to have healthy relationships.
After college, Jared started a career in film, working on all kinds of projects and specializing in documentaries. He then pivoted into tech after learning how to code. Through mentorships and friendships, he found a way to craft his own brand.
Meet Nate.
Nate is the founder of Blue Collar Blades. Handcrafting tools that elevate the cooking experience.
"We believe that the way to create a better world is to help people do meaningful things. We do this by handcrafting quality tools that bring people together around good food & great memories."
Nate started with a love for working on cars. This eventually turned into crafting blades from scratch. A business he has formed and operated with his family.
Meet Andre Burton.
The founder of Threads by Dre. A black-owned, streetwear company operating in Chicago.
"Our mission is to celebrate the culture and lives of black people. Our products give a voice without the need to speak."
This was a great conversation. I talked to Andre about his career and the stress that came from it. We then talked about finding out what makes you happy and how you can build on that.
Meet Jean Nei.
The founder of Turnaction.io.
"We connect conscious consumers with socially conscious brands through our online platform."
This isn't Jean's first run of entrepreneurship. This time around, he's using his tech experience from working at startups to help him on his journey.
All while working a full-time job and getting a masters degree.
Meet Taja Ricketts.
Founder of Satin Kiss.
"Satin Kiss was established with the desire to create the curated shopping experience that pleasure-seekers deserve.
We believe that people who enjoy sexual health and pleasure products should be able to find products that represent them, while catering to their elevated tastes, protecting their health and empowering their decisions."
In this episode we talk about sex, the taboos around it and starting a business to change those norms.
Meet Jake Roundy.
Co-founder of the Couch Bandits, a gaming publication that celebrates the creative magic of gaming.
Jake is a gamer and an editor. He's everything creative.
Why can't work just be work?
Nice guys don't finish last.
Meet Big Ty. A man with a lifetime of experience in the radio business. A career that has taken him from Boston, to Baltimore and to Pittsburgh.
He's been inside the corporate machine and eventually spread his own wings in the radio circuit. Now he's dropping knowledge with us.
The Moonlighters' Club has teamed up with The Boston Ujima Project and Ujima's Business Support Member Team to produce a new podcast: Yours, Mine, and Ours!
Yours, Mine, and Ours spotlights the businesses of Ujima's Good Business Alliance, created for the community, by the community, with a special emphasis on Ujima's good business standards.
In this episode, host Joel Edwards sits down with Cassandria Campbell, the Founder of Fresh Food Generation (@freshfoodgeneration), a Caribbean American farm-to-plate cafe. Fresh Food Generation believes everyone deserves to eat well, no matter where they live.
Take a listen to hear about Fresh Food Generation's journey, how they define impact, and how they work to create great jobs in our communities.
Shaun and Stephond are Moonlighter veterans. They personify everything that is good about this club.
We first interviewed both 4 years ago. Since then, Shaun relocated to Los Angeles. He's taking a break from standup to focus on acting and writing. He was making solid headway until COVID hit.
Stephond still makes music. He's also the creator of Somerfest, a premier, multi-genre event that occurs every year in the city of Somerville.
It's good to connect.