In this episode of 'Main Character Energy,' host Tiffany has a powerful conversation with Kadeem Alphanso Fyffe, a Jamaican American fashion designer, consultant, and author. Kadeem shares his inspiring journey in the fashion industry, his commitment to uplifting communities of color and queer youth, and his experiences of overcoming challenges. They explore the importance of purpose-driven work, resilience, and meaningful friendships. Kadeem reflects on personal loss and his dedication to living purposefully, honoring his late best friend. With exciting upcoming projects and his book, 'Threading the Needle,' Kadeem continues to push boundaries and make impactful contributions in fashion and beyond.

00:00 Setting Life Goals

00:29 Introducing Kadeem Alphanso Fyfe

01:19 Celebrating Pride and Juneteenth

01:37 Balancing Professional and Personal Life

04:25 The Impact of George Floyd's Death

11:31 The Journey of Writing a Book

19:31 Honoring Lost Loved Ones

26:41 Evaluating Friendships

29:18 Loyalty and Friendship Dynamics

30:07 Coming Out and Family Challenges

31:10 Different Types of Friends

32:18 Navigating Friendships and Expectations

34:36 The Importance of Respect and Boundaries

37:11 Success and Support Systems

38:39 Personal Growth and Realizations

40:13 Purpose-Driven Work and Mentorship

47:00 Manifesting Goals and Achievements

54:31 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts

STAY CONNECTED

You can stay connected with our network by following us on Instagram and subscribing to #MainCharacterPod for weekly episodes:

Follow Main Character Energy on Instagram @MainCharacterEnergyPod

Connect with Kadeem Alfanso Fyffe on IG: https://www.instagram.com/k_alphanso

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kadeem-alphanso-fyffe-86a416137

Get his book, “Threading the Needle: A Fashion Designer’s Guide to Successfully Launching Your First Collection” available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RketXd

In this episode of Main Character Energy, Tiff Knighten has a candid conversation with Sabrina Ramos, the founder and creative director of PopSpark Agency. They discuss the ebbs and flows of the entrepreneurial journey, finding discipline, and redefining success on one's own terms. Sabrina shares practical community-building tips, her experience starting her own business, and the importance of unlearning corporate structures to create a personalized approach. They also talk about the significance of maintaining mental health, the impact of community connection, and staying creatively energized. The episode encourages listeners to embrace failure, be messy, and continually strive for growth and genuine connections.

00:00 The Organic Journey of an Entrepreneur

00:48 Introduction to Main Character Energy

01:17 Finding Discipline and Structure

04:19 Unlearning Corporate Norms

06:42 Networking and Stepping Out of Comfort Zones

09:07 Betting on Yourself: From California to New York

11:00 Creating PopSpark Agency

12:45 The First Event: Igniting Passion

15:29 Embracing Multiple Passions

17:16 Shooting Your Shot and Overcoming Failure

19:09 Settling into a New Community

20:00 Navigating Entrepreneurship Highs and Lows

20:37 Structuring Your Day for Success

21:15 Networking and Client Relationships

23:10 Aligning Business with Personal Values

26:57 Building Long-Term Client Relationships

31:11 The Power of Community and Dance

35:30 Advice for Emerging Entrepreneurs

36:45 Conclusion and Contact Information

STAY CONNECTED

You can stay connected by following us on Instagram: @MainCharacterEnergyPod

Connect with Sabrina Ramos on Instagram: www.instagram.com/popsparkagency

Pop Spark Agency: https://www.popspark.agency/

Blues Dance New York: https://bluesdancenewyork.com/friday-night-blues/

Bet you can't do it like me! No, but seriously, cultivating an original thought is becoming a lost art. We sat down in our new studio to talk about individuality, swaggerjacking, and protecting your work in the creative industries. Is imitation a form of flattery? Tiff and audio O.G. Deondric Royster share stories about their early experiences in media and entertainment.

STAY CONNECTED: Follow #MainCharacterEnergyPod on Instagram and visit tiffknighten.com/podcast

Need studio time? Use our code MAINCHARACTER to get 15% off recording sessions at Metro Podcast Studio. Book here.

Media industry veteran Deondric Royster delves into the importance of protecting energy, fueling creativity, and the critical role of representation for underrepresented creators in the media. Get valuable advice on common mistakes to avoid and exciting future opportunities and challenges in the audio and podcasting industry.

STAY CONNECTED

You can stay connected with our network by following us on Instagram and subscribing to #MainCharacterPod for weekly episodes:

Follow Main Character Energy on Instagram @MainCharacterEnergyPod

Connect with Deondric Royster on IG: @droyale

For Denisha “Denni” Cleary, the rebrand is personal. Denni is a seasoned designer, mom entrepreneur, and intuitive astrologer with over 8 years of professional website and branding experience. Her mission is to guide introverted millennial entrepreneurs and parents in designing a purposeful and authentic life.

Stay connected by following us on Instagram (@MainCharacterEnergyPod) and subscribing to #MainCharacterPod for weekly episodes.

Is LinkedIn the new Hot Girl Platform for Creators? In this solo episode, Tiff deep dives into the platform’s engagement opportunities and monetization avenues. What’s covered: strategies for success, how to earn a LinkedIn badge, and a recap of our recent Navigating PR + Media Relationships LinkedIn audio event.

Interested in a LinkedIn Revamp + Personal Branding Session? Book a 1:1 call here!

The highlights:

01:03 LinkedIn's Algorithm and Visibility

02:17 LinkedIn's Business Professionals and Creators

02:50 LinkedIn's Guide to Creating

05:09 Becoming a Leading Voice in the Creator Economy

06:00 How to Obtain a LinkedIn Badge

10:03 LinkedIn Branding Session

10:46 LinkedIn Live Event Recap

12:32 The Impact of AI on Media

13:32 Ethical Use of AI in PR and Journalism

16:42 Nurturing Long-term Connections

STAY CONNECTED

You can stay connected with our network by following us on Instagram and subscribing to #MainCharacterEnergyPod for weekly episodes. Follow Main Character Energy on Instagram @MainCharacterEnergyPod

Collaboration and disrupting industries with PR expert, Regan Farley. From working at FOX, NBCUniversal, and Def Jam to working with entrepreneurs, non-profits, and everything in between— Regan Farley is a multi-faceted public relations professional and industry tastemaker who lives by the mantra “the dream is free, but the hustle is sold separately.”

In this episode, Tiff and Regan discuss their journeys from high school programs and internships into entrepreneurship, as well as goals for the year including collaborations, exploring new industries, and the importance of self-care.

STAY CONNECTED

You can stay connected with our network by following us on Instagram and subscribing to #MainCharacterPod for weekly episodes:

Follow Main Character Energy on Instagram @MainCharacterEnergyPod

Connect with Regan on LinkedIn and Instagram.

What's your word for 2024? In this episode, Tiff breaks down habit forming, intention-setting and mindset shifts for success in the new year.

STAY CONNECTED

You can stay connected with our network by following us on Instagram and subscribing to #MainCharacterPod for weekly episodes.

Follow Main Character Energy on Instagram @MainCharacterEnergyPod

Danette "Danni" Buie, Ed.D. is a Life and Wellness Architect, Diversity Coach, and the Founder and CEO of Thrive Limitlessly. She helps underrepresented professionals build fulfilling careers that allow them to feel seen, heard, and valued and aids teams and organizations in fostering inclusive workspaces. In this episode, we discuss strategies to set boundaries, establish self-care regimens, and integrate mindset shifts. Get into it!

You can stay connected with our network by following us on Instagram and subscribing to #MainCharacterPod for weekly episodes:

Follow Main Character Energy on Instagram @MainCharacterEnergyPod

Connect with Danette Buie on LinkedIn and her website.

Tiff and Chris Gee discuss the art of reinvention, transitioning to becoming full-time creators, and how AI tools make life so much easier when you know how to use them.

STAY CONNECTED

You can stay connected with our network by following us on Instagram and subscribing to #MainCharacterPod for weekly episodes:

Follow Main Character Energy on Instagram @MainCharacterEnergyPod

Connect with Chris Gee on LinkedIn.

In this episode, Tiff sits down with Shanae Brown a Certified Life & Leadership Coach. Shanae is the Founder of a groundbreaking career development company, No Cream In This Coffee, and is dedicated to creating better workplaces and work experiences for Black women.

STAY CONNECTED

You can stay connected with our network by following us on Instagram and subscribing to #MainCharacterPod for weekly episodes:

Follow Main Character Energy on Instagram @MainCharacterEnergyPod

Connect with Shanae Brown on LinkedIn and on Instagram: @nocreaminthiscoffee.

Sign up for the mailing list for more tips and strategies on how to take up space at work: https://zc.vg/0zqjF

Today’s guest is a certified boss who is dropping some major gems about ways to step into your power. Meet PR pro-Brandi Sims, an Austin-based entrepreneur with 14 years of experience helping brands and public figures manage their public relations through publicity events, campaigns, and community outreach.

In this episode, we delve into finding alignment in the business world, moving with intention, and common misconceptions about public relations.

STAY CONNECTED

You can stay connected with our network by following us on Instagram and subscribing to #MainCharacterPod for weekly episodes:

Follow Main Character Energy on Instagram @MainCharacterEnergyPod

Connect with Brandi on Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, and Facebook

Visit Brandi’s website: www.brandincpr.com

Need some serious inspiration? Not sure how to price your services or scope your freelance projects?

Meet trailblazer Rachel Renock, a former advertising creative who worked with brands like Covergirl and Hershey, who quit her agency job at 25 to launch a freelance studio, scaling it to $1.4M in revenue in 18 months.

Today, Renock has raised over $14M in VC funding for Wethos and has been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, Business Insider, and the New York Times for her mission to support independent workers.

Rachel also hooked us up with this referral link just for Main Character Energy listeners to access Wethos Pro FREE for 30 days.

STAY CONNECTED

You can stay connected with our network by following us on Instagram and subscribing to #MainCharacterPod for weekly episodes:

Follow Main Character Energy on Instagram @MainCharacterEnergyPod

Connect with Rachel on social:

Instagram: @wethos.co

Twitter: @wethosco

Website: wethos.co

In today’s solo talk, we’re recapping the one-year anniversary of my Toronto residency with Black HXOUSE, a think tank that is an extension of The Weeknd’s XO brand run by his creative director LaMar Taylor and Ahmed Ismail. I want to share a few lessons with you today that have stuck with me.

STAY CONNECTED

You can stay connected with our network by following us on Instagram and subscribing to #MainCharacterEnergyPod for weekly episodes:

Follow Main Character Energy on Instagram @MainCharacterEnergyPod

Connect with Tiff on Instagram @tiff_or_die

To learn more about HXOUSE, visit https://www.hxouse.com/

In today’s solo talk with Tiff, we’re getting into the Threads vs. Twitter vs. Spill war, this insane Barbie press run/marketing rollout, and protecting your motherf*cking peace in this crazy world.

STAY CONNECTED

You can stay connected with our network by following us on Instagram and subscribing to #MainCharacterPod for weekly episodes:

Follow Main Character Energy on Instagram @MainCharacterEnergyPod

Connect with Tiff on Instagram @tiff_or_die

What we’re NOT doing is chasing algorithms. If you’re team #getthebag, then you’ll vibe with this sit down with Brandon Smithwrick, the Webby award-winning content marketer and creator who is building a powerhouse brand via LinkedIn.

STAY CONNECTED

You can stay connected with our network by following us on Instagram and subscribing to #MainCharacterPod for weekly episodes:

Follow Main Character Energy on Instagram @MainCharacterEnergyPod

Connect with Brandon on Instagram and LinkedIn

Are you a stick to the itinerary type or do you go with the flow? In this episode, we’re exploring digital nomad lifestyle and manifesting rich bitxh experiences with social media coach and MORE Podcast Host, Ava Beilke. Tune in for travel tips and our vibe-driven Google review methodology, it could come in handy for your summer travel plans.

STAY CONNECTED

You can stay connected with our network by following us on Instagram and subscribing to #MainCharacterPod for weekly episodes:

Follow Main Character Energy on Instagram @MainCharacterEnergyPod

Connect with Ava on Instagram @avabeilke

Listen to the MORE with Ava Beilke podcast

Follow @themorepod on Instagram and YouTube

Bad b*tches talk about money, period! Today we sit down with content creator Hannah Williams, the Founder and CEO of Salary Transparent Street. With her viral series, Hannah encourages strangers to share what they do and how much they make in an effort to combat discriminatory tendencies in employment and close pay gaps that affect women, POC, workers with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. Hannah uses her platform to educate her community on market research, salary negotiation, and labor laws to understand workers' rights.

Aren't sure how much you should be making in your current role? Check out STS’s Market Research Guide to find out: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47

STAY CONNECTED

You can stay connected with our network by following us on Instagram and subscribing to #MainCharacterPod for weekly episodes:

Follow Main Character Energy on Instagram @MainCharacterEnergyPod

Follow Hannah on IG/TikTok/YouTube: @SalaryTransparentStreet

Connect with Hannah Williams on LinkedIn

Website: www.salarytransparentstreet.com

It’s almost summer in NYC, so people are wearing less and going out more. Meanwhile on the internet, people are dragging tone deaf beauty brand Tarte for playing in Black creators’ faces yet again.

This week, Tiff sits down with Lauren C. Nelson (she/her), a coach, speaker, and Founder & CEO of Partner for Impact, a consulting firm making workplaces around the globe more inclusive and empowering. She is the Creator of The Powerhouse Era, a transformative coaching and mentorship program that takes women’s lives, careers, and finances to the next level.

In 2022, NY Times Magazine called Lauren “The Go-To Branding Strategist to Create Impact”. IKDR. She’s an award winning coach who’s been featured in WomLEAD Magazine, Today’s Purpose Woman, and named one of LA Weekly’s Top 15 Inspiring and Successful Women Entrepreneurs.

In this discussion, we talk about the power of investing in yourself, celebrating your wins, and intentionally building community for yourself.

Listen to the Main Character Energy Playlist on Spotify.

STAY CONNECTED

You can stay connected with our network by following us on Instagram and subscribing to #MainCharacterPod for weekly episodes:

Follow Main Character Energy on Instagram @maincharacterenergypod.

Follow Lauren on IG: @IamLaurenCNelson.

Connect with Lauren C. Nelson on LinkedIn.

Just in time for our friendaversary, I got to sit down with the elusive, the ever-evolving Natasha Roberts. Between running her agency The Know and curating her second New York City landmark (and tallest residential building in the world) Central Park Tower, Natasha is a branding baddie + main character taking her career to new heights.

In this episode, we talk about fighting imposter syndrome, managing expectations, and Natasha’s mission to amplify feminist + multicultural initiatives that bring these historically marginalized communities to the forefront. We’re validating each other, talking each other off of a ledge, and reminding each other that we’re that b*tch every step of the way.

Listen to the Main Character Energy Playlist on Spotify.

STAY CONNECTED

You can stay connected with our network by following us on Instagram and subscribing to #MainCharacterPod for weekly episodes:

Follow Main Character Energy on Instagram @maincharacterenergypod.

Follow Natasha on IG: @natashacr.

Connect with Natasha Roberts on LinkedIn.

Check out Natasha’s agency, The Know.