by Keri Henderson, Small Business Consultant & Entrepreneur
What happens when you choose peace over the pressure to hustle? In this hot take with Jlani Jewels Founder Lani Nesbitt, we talk about her decision to leave New York City, the epicenter of grind culture and the fashion industry, for a slower, more intentional life in Miami. We dive into the mental health wake-up call, how quality of life became a non-negotiable, and the surprising ways this shift helped her business grow. If you've ever questioned the 9-to-5 grind or wondered what success could look like on your own terms, this one’s for you. Listen to full episode here. 📲 Connect with me kerihenderson.com/links 📧 Subscribe to The Kickback With Keri Newsletter kerihenderson.com/newsletter Enjoying the podcast? Support the show
What does it really take to build a meaningful community, especially when you're competing with attention spans, and social media noise? In this hot take, I kickback with CoTripper founder Krystin Hargrove to talk about the challenges of building a community. From starting small to creating a safe space, we unpack why real connection takes time, intention, and ownership. You’ll learn what most people get wrong and why access to your community outside of social media is not optional. Listen to the full episode here. 📲 Connect with me kerihenderson.com/links 📧 Subscribe to The Kickback With Keri Newsletter kerihenderson.com/newsletter Enjoying the podcast? Support the show
When it comes to sales you don’t need a fancy script, someone else’s blueprint, or hours of YouTube University. In this week’s hot take, Renee Goings, current Director of Operations at Done Dissertation shares what truly works when it comes to converting potential clients. Renee reveals her number one sales strategy and her surprising goal on discovery calls. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, or creative entrepreneur, this clip will help you rethink what it really means to "sell." Listen to full episode here Connect with Renee Goings:Website → thedonedissertation.comInstagram → @donedisscoachLinkedIn → @donedissertationYouTube → @donedissertation 📲 Connect with me kerihenderson.com/links 📧 Subscribe to The Kickback With Keri Newsletter kerihenderson.com/newsletter Enjoying the podcast? Support the show
AI is here to stay, but are you using it the right way? Yvonne Pearson PinkDollhouse Marketing breaks down the top mistakes marketers are making right now and why unchecked AI tools can hurt your brand and your career. Listen to full episode here Connect with Yvonne Pearson:Website → pinkdollhousemarketing.comInstagram → @yvonne_creativemarketerTikTok → @yvonne_creativemarketer 📲 Connect with me kerihenderson.com/links 📧 Subscribe to The Kickback With Keri Newsletter kerihenderson.com/newsletter Enjoying the podcast? Support the show
Hot take: You don’t need millions of followers to land brand deals. Yvonne Pearson of PinkDollhouse Marketing and host of Coffee With Yvonne podcast breaks down 4 proven steps to secure brand sponsorships for your podcast, newsletter, and social media—no matter your follower count. Listen to full episode: https://bit.ly/kickbackwithkeri-yvonnepearson Connect with Yvonne Pearson: Website → pinkdollhousemarketing.com Instagram → @yvonne_creativemarketer TikTok → @yvonne_creativemarketer 📲 Connect with me kerihenderson.com/links 📧 Subscribe to The Kickback With Keri Newsletter kerihenderson.com/newsletter Enjoying the podcast? Support the show
#16: What does it take to create a luxury retreat that feels personal, intentional, and rooted in culture? In this on-location episode, Keri visits Wellspring Manor & Spa, a stunning Black-owned bed and breakfast in Prince George’s County, Maryland, for a powerful conversation with co-owner Lisa Brown Alexander. Tucked away on a once-abandoned estate, Wellspring is now a thriving hub for art, wellness, and celebration, welcoming guests to experience hospitality that feels like home and healing. Lisa shares how she and her husband transformed a once-abandoned estate into a vibrant boutique retreat where guests feel “seen, safe, and celebrated,” and reflects on the personal and business lessons they’ve learned along the way. In this episode, we cover: Why Prince George’s County, MD was the ideal home for a luxury Black-owned retreat How they overcame early neighborhood resistance and built community trust The art, food, and music events that make Wellspring Manor stand out What it means to run a hospitality business with intention during seasonal shift Connect with Wellspring Manor & Spa: Website → wellspringmanor.com IG → @wellspringmanorandspa FB → @wellspringmanor 📲 Connect with me kerihenderson.com/links 📧 Subscribe to The Kickback With Keri Newsletter kerihenderson.com/newsletter Enjoying the podcast? Support the show
#15: In this powerful episode, Keri kicks back with Kadidja Dosso, founder of Dosso Beauty, to unpack the hidden dangers of traditional braiding hair and how she created the first clinically tested, non-toxic alternative for protective styles. Kadidja shares her journey from personal frustration to product innovation, breaking down how she launched a hypoallergenic braiding hair brand that’s redefining beauty and wellness for Black women everywhere. Whether you're a beauty lover, entrepreneur, or just tired of the itch, this conversation is your reminder that the products we use should protect us, not harm us. In this episode: What’s really in most braiding hair (and why it causes irritation) The science behind Dosso Beauty’s clean, non-toxic solution Kadidja’s strategy for manufacturing, marketing, and retail How storytelling, press, and purpose helped scale her product-based business Connect with Kadidja + Dosso Beauty: Get 10% Off Your Purchase → dossobeauty.com/ Instagram → @dossobeauty | @kadidja.dosso TikTok → @dossobeauty 📲 Connect with me kerihenderson.com/links 📧 Subscribe to The Kickback With Keri Newsletter kerihenderson.com/newsletter Enjoying the podcast? Support the show
#14: Oftentimes, businesses are born out of a personal need. In a world where convenience often trumps nutrition, one mother’s mission to find real, healthy baby food led to the creation of Chunky Vegan by founder Camille Hardy; a plant-based, farm-to-table baby food brand that’s redefining what we feed our little ones. In this powerful episode, Keri kicks back with Camille to explore how her frustration with shelf-stable baby food sparked a movement rooted in fresh ingredients, local farming, and purposeful nutrition.. What you’ll take away: Best practice Camille used to secure farm partnerships Learn how to read food labels and shop for organic produce Why plant-based food isn’t always the healthiest alternative to meat based products How Chunky Vegan naturally discovered an untapped secondary market This episode is a masterclass in understanding what's really in our food and how to make truly healthy choices for ourselves and our families. Connect WIth Camile Hardy: Website → chunkyvegan.net IG → @chunkyvegan_babyfood 📲 Connect with me kerihenderson.com/links 📧 Subscribe to The Kickback With Keri Newsletter kerihenderson.com/newsletter Enjoying the podcast? Support the show
#13: What if a candle could do more than smell good — what if it could heal, inspire, and build community? In this soulful and inspiring episode, Keri kicks back with the dynamic mother-daughter duo behind Kobi Co., a Black-owned candle and self-care brand based in Minneapolis. Founders Kobi Gregory and Tasha Harris share how they launched their aromatherapy-focused business during the height of the pandemic — blending scent, sound, and soul to create products rooted in healing and purpose. We talk about turning a side hustle into a brick-and-mortar store, finding balance in a self-care business, navigating burnout, and using entrepreneurship as a vehicle for community care and giving back. Whether you’re building a brand or rebuilding your peace, this conversation will leave you inspired to move with intention. In this episode, you'll learn: How they overcame lack of retail experience to build a successful business Self care practices to avoid burnout Why its important to give back through scholarships and partnerships How to ignore outside noise and scale at your own pace Connect with Kobi Co: Website → lovekobico.com Instagram → @lovekobico Resources: The E-Myth Revisited Sistah Biz Global Network 📲 Connect with me kerihenderson.com/links 📧 Subscribe to The Kickback With Keri Newsletter kerihenderson.com/newsletter Enjoying the podcast? Support the show
#12: Why firing the wrong clients helped this event CEO hit his highest revenue year. In this episode, Keri and Andrew unpack what happens when you set real boundaries, fire misaligned clients, and fully step into your value as a creative entrepreneur. Andrew Roby, an Army veteran turned renowned event planner, speaker, and coach based in Washington, DC. shares his journey from military service to building a premier event planning business. He opens up about the early struggles with cash flow, how he learned to redefine his ideal client, and why storytelling is the heart of every unforgettable event. Whether you're an aspiring event planner, entrepreneur, or creative professional, this episode is packed with powerful lessons on pricing your services, attracting the right clients, and building a sustainable business rooted in purpose and authenticity. What you’ll take away: Red flags that mean it’s time to fire a client How to protect your energy and enforce boundaries Why Andrew changed his entire client base (and what it did for his income) The mindset shift from freelance to CEO Connect With Andrew Roby Website →andrewrobyevents.com IG → @andrewrobyevents FB @AndrewRobyEvents TikTok → @andrewrobyevents 📲 Connect with me kerihenderson.com/links 📧 Subscribe to The Kickback With Keri Newsletter kerihenderson.com/newsletter Enjoying the podcast? Support the show