In this inspiring episode of CEO Chatter LIVE, which is also our first international episode, host Francheska “Fancy” Felder sits down with Natalia Nicholson, visionary founder of Women in Digital Business, to explore how she’s transforming the way Black women show up and thrive in the digital space.
Natalia opens up about the experiences that shaped her entrepreneurial journey and the hands-on leadership style that keeps her deeply connected to her community. From building a dedicated space for Black female professionals in digital business to witnessing powerful moments of growth and collaboration, she shares the mission that drives her work.
Listeners will also hear Natalia’s unique perspective on what sets her apart as a digital strategist, the role of community in sustainable business growth, and her powerful advice for women ready to claim their digital seat at the table. And of course, she gives us a glimpse into what defines her signature “SwagHer.”
✨ Key Topics:
Origin story & skill building
Leading with heart and hands-on connection
Creating intentional spaces for Black women in digital business
The power of community and collaboration
Defining her SwagHer
Words of wisdom for digital entrepreneurs
Tune in and get ready to be inspired by a woman who’s changing the game from the inside out.
🔗 Follow Natalia at @womenindigitalbusiness and learn more about Women in Digital Business.
Poptastic: www.poptasticplanner.com
Writer’s Atelier: https://writersatelier.com/writerservices
SwagHer Society: www.swaghersociety.com
In this episode of CEO Chatter LIVE, we take you inside Arthur Wheeler Spirits Co. in Upper Marlboro, MD, for a special three-part distillery tour and conversation with Chief Partnership Officer Kimberly Wheeler. Known for her creativity, bubbly spirit, and intentional leadership, Kimberly shares what it means to be a bold Black woman in the whiskey business, how she approaches authentic brand partnerships, and the role of community and artistry in growing a premium spirits company. We also explore how she and her husband, Arthur “Bo” Wheeler, built a brand that blends culture, collaboration, and craft. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, spirits enthusiast, or simply love stories of resilience and innovation, this episode is a must-listen. Plus, catch our live-streamed tours on YouTube for a full behind-the-scenes experience.
This episode is sponsored by the following:
Coach Lani Shaw (life coaching):
https://paperbell.me/lani-shaw
Beautiful Tresse (hair care):
SwagHer Society (SwagHer membership):
In this inspiring episode of CEO Chatter LIVE, host Fancy sits down with Darlene Williams, President of the nationally acclaimed Black Authors Festival. Ranked by USA Today as one of the top new festivals in the country, the Black Authors Festival celebrates Black voices while championing literacy, free speech, and anti-censorship efforts.
Darlene shares how her lifelong love of books sparked the vision for the festival, the power of literacy to transform lives, and her fight against book bans that disproportionately target Black authors. From youth authors and art exhibits to live music and panels, she gives a behind-the-scenes look at what makes this year’s festival so impactful.
If you believe in the power of storytelling and the importance of preserving our narratives, this conversation will inspire you to support and attend the Black Authors Festival.
Darlene Williams/ Black Authors Festival:
Website: https://www.blackauthorsfestival.com
Instagram: @blackauthorsfestival
Where Wild Women Wander:
https://bit.ly/wherewildwomenwander
SwagHer Online:
Host: Francheska “Fancy” Felder Guest: Dr. Lakiea Bailey, Executive Director of the Sickle Cell Community Consortium
In this powerful and enlightening episode of CEO Chatter LIVE, host Fancy sits down with nationally recognized sickle cell disease advocate, educator, and research scientist Dr. Lakiea Bailey. Diagnosed with sickle cell disease at the age of three, Dr. Bailey has turned her personal experience into a lifelong mission of advocacy, empowerment, and scientific innovation.
Dr. Bailey opens up about:
🩸 Her early diagnosis and the medical challenges her family faced in the 1970s 🧬 Earning not one—but two—doctorates in molecular hematology and regenerative medicine 🌍 Founding the Sickle Cell Community Consortium, a groundbreaking collaborative that centers patient voices across the globe 🗣️ Breaking stigmas and changing the narrative surrounding sickle cell disease in both medical and public spaces 🎉 The upcoming 12th Annual Warriors Convention in Orlando and its connection to World Sickle Cell Day and Juneteenth 🩹 How we can all help by becoming blood and bone marrow donors—and why it matters now more than ever
This episode goes beyond awareness—it’s a deep dive into the systems that need to change, the stories that need to be told, and the ways we can all be part of the cure.
🔗 Resources & Links:
🌐 Visit: https://sicklecellconvention.org
IG: Follow @sscconsortium
📲 Sign up for the bone marrow registry: Text SC3 to 61474
💜 Learn more about the Sickle Cell Community Consortium: https://sicklecellconsortium.org
In this episode, Fancy shares her unfiltered experience attending the Roots Picnic for the first time in 2025. Known as one of Philly’s most iconic cultural events, the Roots Picnic was launched in 2008 by the legendary hip-hop group The Roots and has since become a beloved celebration of Black music, art, and community. But this year’s event left many attendees disappointed—plagued by rain, delays, and crowd control issues that sparked a wave of criticism online. Tune in as Fancy breaks down what it was really like on the ground, why some said they wouldn’t return, and whether the festival still lives up to its historic hype.
📄 Episode Description
In this powerful episode of CEO Chatter LIVE, host Fancy sits down with the unstoppable Dr. Jai Johnson—medical provider, serial entrepreneur, author, and healer—for a transparent conversation on navigating life’s toughest challenges while staying rooted in purpose. From surviving a traumatic car accident and domestic violence to launching multiple businesses rooted in care, Dr. Jai shares how she balances her calling to heal with the realities of hustle, heartache, and hope.
This episode isn’t just about business—it's about becoming whole. Tune in for gems on intuitive healing, generational trauma, spiritual wellness, and why doing the inner work is the real flex.
📝 Show Notes
Guest: Dr. Jai Johnson
Host: Francheska “Fancy” Felder
Podcast: CEO Chatter LIVE
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
How a life-changing accident sparked Dr. Jai’s journey into medicine
The impact of trauma on health, generations, and personal growth
Dr. Jai’s raw reflections on healing from domestic violence
Her thoughts on the ethics of modern medicine and holistic care
Why spiritual, emotional, and mental wellness are just as vital as physical health
Juggling multiple businesses while staying grounded in purpose
The truth about being a workaholic and finding peace amid the pressure
Her message to women everywhere: Be you, and be real about it.
🎧 Also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
📲 Stay connected:
Follow Dr. Jai on IG @divinemed_beautywithin
Follow Fancy on IG @fancyswagher
Visit SwagHerOnline.com for more empowering content
Dr. Cindy Trimm emphasizes the importance of personal development and spiritual growth for black business owners. She believes that success is an inside job and that individuals must understand their true identity, purpose, and potential to thrive in their businesses. Dr. Trimm encourages business owners to focus on their internal dialogue and change their stories. She also highlights the power of taking personal responsibility for one's life and prioritizing oneself.
Key Takeaways:
Success is an inside job and starts with understanding one's true identity, purpose, and potential.
Personal branding is important for business owners, as people buy into the person before buying from them.
The future is in one's control, starting with changing the story one tells oneself and taking personal responsibility.
Struggles and challenges are opportunities for growth and the emergence of the next best version of oneself.
Making oneself a priority and showing up as your best version automatically makes the world a better place.
Quotes:
"Success is an inside job. It's not what you do outside, it's who you are inside."
"You are your first prophet. You're the one that is engineering the trajectory of your life, nobody else."
"Life is not happening to you. It's happening for you because of you."
"You emerge because of the struggle in the experience. And that's where strength comes from."
"When you show up as the best version of yourself, you automatically make this world a better place to live in."
About The Guest:Dr. Cindy Trimm is a renowned speaker, author, and advocate. She is the author of several best-selling books, including "Commanding Your Morning" and "Unstoppable." Dr. Trimm is known for her ability to translate spiritual insights into practical language that empowers individuals to activate their purpose and maximize their potential. She is also the founder of Cindy Trimm Ministries International, which engages in medical missions, food relief, and community development projects worldwide.
In this episode of CEO Chatter Live, host Fancy interviews LaKisha M. Mosley, the My Mind is My Business conference organizer. They discuss mental health awareness and the importance of prioritizing mental health, especially for entrepreneurs. LaKisha shares her personal experience with persistent depressive disorder and how it led her to create the My Mind is My Business event. The event aims to provide a safe space for entrepreneurs to discuss mental health challenges and seek support. LaKisha also highlights some topics that will be covered during the event, including anxiety, boundaries, grief, and the intersection of faith and mental health.
Key Takeaways:
Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, and entrepreneurs often neglect their mental health due to the pressure to constantly perform.
Persistent depressive disorder is a long-term form of depression that can go unnoticed or be masked by high-functioning behavior.
Anxiety is a common mental health challenge among entrepreneurs, as they often worry about the success of their business and face constant pressure.
The My Mind is My Business event provides a platform for entrepreneurs to openly discuss mental health challenges and learn strategies to prioritize their well-being.
The event covers a range of topics, including anxiety, boundaries, grief, and the intersection of faith and mental health.
Quotes:
"Your mind is your greatest asset, and if it doesn't function, nothing else functions." - LaKisha M. Mosley
"Mental health affects all aspects of our lives, and we have to stop acting like it doesn't." - LaKisha M. Mosley
LaKisha M. Mosley owns The LM Experience, a premier event planning and management company. With over ten years of experience in the industry, LaKisha curates engaging experiences for high-end coaches and course creators. She is also the head of Mind Your Business, a mental health collective safe space for those struggling with mental illness. LaKisha advocates against racial disparities for people of color in the mental health community.
IG: @lakishammosley
Episode sponsored by I'Mat Dream Brand.
Darin Adams discusses business automation and marketing with Fancy. As an automation expert at Keap, Darin explains how Keap is a one-stop-shop, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform that helps businesses automate their sales and marketing processes. He emphasizes the importance of automation in growing a business and highlights how Keap can help businesses save time and focus on other aspects of their operations. Darin also shares his tips for effective selling, including the importance of believing in the solution you offer and helping customers visualize the positive outcomes of using your product or service.
"If you can automate something, that gives you more time to focus on other aspects of your business." - Darin Adams on Automation
Key Takeaways
- Keap is a platform that helps businesses automate their sales and marketing processes.
- Automation allows businesses to save time and focus on other aspects of their operations.
- Effective selling involves believing in your solution and helping customers visualize the positive outcomes of using your product or service.
"Help customers picture the solution and the positive outcomes of using your product or service." - Darin Adams on Successful Sales
To sign up for Keap, use this link: https://get.keap.com/fancy
Dawnna St. Louis is Fyre Brand's founder and FyreSavvy's co-founder. With 25 years of consulting experience and expertise in building multimillion-dollar businesses, Donna provides an overall business strategy to help business owners scale quickly. She is a certified PMP and Master Six Sigma Black Belt.
Dawnna shares her expertise in business strategy and income acceleration. She emphasizes the importance of niching down and understanding your dream client. Dawnna provides valuable insights on crafting compelling proposals, creating impactful marketing messages, and delivering persuasive presentations. She also discusses the key strategies for maximizing revenue and achieving sustainable growth.
Key Takeaways:
Niching down and understanding your dream client is crucial for business success.
Craft proposals that focus on the client's pain points and offer solutions.
Sell the result, not just the product or service.
Deliver persuasive presentations by focusing on the benefits and value you provide.
Maximize revenue and achieve sustainable growth through effective marketing and sales strategies.
Quotes:
"You can't read the label from inside the jar." - Dawnna St. Louis
"Most people spend a lot of their time selling the thing and not the value." - Dawnna St. Louis
"Turn buyers into believers by communicating the benefits of your offer." - Dawnna St. Louis
Catch Dawnna at Profit & Secure HER Virtual Conference.
Follow Dawnna at @dawnnastlouis.
Women of Color New York is a collaborative brand offering various products and services, including fashion, beauty, wellness, art, self-care, dessert, bistro, and mental health therapy. The brand was launched in August 2021 during the pandemic and is located at 539 South Avenue in Rochester, New York. Most of the businesses also have online stores, and the brand's emphasis on collaboration is noteworthy, bringing ten women of color together under one umbrella to offer a range of products and services.
The founder and owner of Women of Color New York, Connie Marple, retired from dentistry after working as a dental hygienist for 25 years. She returned to school and received her bachelor's degree in fashion design from Buffalo State College in December 2020. She launched Women of Color New York, bringing a group of businesswomen with her. The women support each other and share everything, including rent, utilities, and security, which helps cut down on overhead costs. The brand celebrated its one-year anniversary with a fashion show and has more events planned for the future, including a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
The sisters of Women of Color New York are dedicated to supporting each other and the community, sharing information, and celebrating each other's successes. Their brand is a reminder of the importance of diversity in business, creating a space for women of color to showcase their products and services and helping to create a more inclusive and diverse business landscape.
This episode is sponsored by I’Mat Dream Brand, a hair and skincare brand.
Are you an independent artist?
On this CEO Chatter LIVE, Symone Smith, who is a serialpreneur, joins Fancy to discuss her upcoming product rollouts and new radio show, being an independent artist and author, and her upcoming BET Awards performance.
About Symone Smith
Symone is the CEO of Magnificent Marketing LLC, where she leads with creativity. The New Orleans native specializes in finding creative solutions to provide large and small companies with increased B2B sales. She is also an independent author and artist.
Website: www.magnificentllc.com
Instagram: @podcastmagnificent
In this episode of CEO Chatter LIVE, Cora Jakes discusses her background, including being the daughter of Bishop T.D. Jakes and dealing with infertility. She also talks about her work as a life coach and helping people overcome personal fears. Later in the conversation, Cora opens up about going through a sudden divorce and how it has affected her faith. Despite outside noise and criticism, she remains focused on healing herself and her children. The conversation touches on topics from motherhood to staying positive during difficult times.
This interview is also featured in our Women of Faith digital issue with Cora Jakes as one of the dual covers. Visit here to order, https://issuu.com/swaghermagazine/docs/wof_cora_3.
Connect with Cora on Instagram at @officialcallmecora.
In this thought-provoking dialogue, Fancy and Dr. Nikki Zeigler have an interesting conversation about business, life, and faith. Dr. Nikki explains how we should ask God for permission when making business decisions while also sharing her entrepreneurial journey, which started out rocky but has since shaped her into the leader she is today.
You can also read this interview in SwagHer Magazine’s latest issue, Women of Faith.
About Dr. Nikki Zeigler
Dr. Nikki Zeigler was truly “Born to Lead.” As a prolific speaker, branding and masters coach, she has been anointed to bring out the inner leader in others. With her background and expertise in marketing, branding, and public relations, as well as advertising, Dr. Nikki has set her sights and energy on making a difference by empowering Christian women in business, pastors, churches, leaders, and artists to reach for the stars, achieve their goals and fulfill their God-given Destiny.
Dr. Nikki is the President of The Herprenuer Network, an organization geared toward Christian women in business by identifying strengths and challenges as entrepreneurs to expand their knowledge in branding, finances, and faith. Publisher of The Herprenuer Magazine is a Quarterly Business Professional Publication for Christian Women.
Instagram: @drinikkizeigler
Karlyn Leblanc, CEO of Black Girls Travel Therapy, stops by CEO Chatter LIVE to discuss her travel therapy group, the benefits of travel therapy, how you can become a member, and where you can catch the group next.
Below are the upcoming trips you can join:
Napa Valley “I Love Me” Wine Retreat April 14th-17th, 2023
Stella Groove Back Girls Trip Ocho Rios, Jamaica-May 17th-May 21st, 2023
Atlanta BOSS Brunch Sunday, May 7th, 2023, 11am Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta, GA
Turks & Caicos July 7-10th, 2023 (Men Invited)
About Karlyn Leblanc
Karlyn LeBlanc is the travel therapist. She's a Master's licensed social worker. LeBlanc is the founder of Black Girls Travel Therapy and Dinner with Divas. In addition, she’s a bestselling author and a motivational & professional development speaker.
Website: https://www.blackgirlstraveltherapy.com
Instagram: @blackgirlstraveltherapy
On CEO Chatter LIVE this week, Fancy is joined by Dr. Cameka Smith of The BOSS Network. The Boss Network is a digital platform for black women entrepreneurs. Dr. Smith launched this community almost 15 years ago. As an event planner and marketing executive, Dr. Smith was looking for resources and opportunities to network with other minority women who wanted to start businesses. So she decided to create her own series of events around entrepreneurship for Black women. “During those events, women just kept asking me, “How can I join your community? " And I would be like, “Oh, it's not a community,” Dr. Smith shares. “As any good entrepreneur would do, I just started doing my research on communities and how I could best engage these women.”
Dr. Smith and her team saw that less than 1% of Black women get access to venture capital funding. She explains, “There's this disparity when it comes to getting traditional bank loans because of racism and all types of biases that happen. And so I said, “You know what? If I can go to my sponsors- my partners, and we can launch our own fund, maybe we can support some of these women to help get them through this period.” That's how we created and launched the Boss Impact Fund.”
The BOSS Network’s goal l was to raise $10 million over the next five years to invest in Black women entrepreneurs. They launched their first investment progress grant program with $1.5 million with a partner called Sage. So far, they've invested in 48 Black women. At the time of this interview, The Boss Network had received over 15,000 applications for the 2023 grant, which was marketed across social media and business/entrepreneurship platforms, including Hello Alice. The grant closed on February 25, 2023, but Dr. Smith says it will return next year, so be ready.
Skip to the good part:
3 Takeaways from the Interview:
Do your research when considering partnering with companies or pursuing sponsorships.
Relationships are essential for growth.
Know how you plan to utilize your funds.
Connect with Dr. Cameka Smith & The BOSS Network:
To learn more about The BOSS Network, visit https://www.thebossnetwork.org.
Instagram: @thebossnetwork | @iamCameka
This episode of CEO Chatter LIVE is brought to you by Black Women Made Whole, a wellness event produced by SwagHer Magazine.
In this episode, Tami Curry, Curator of I’Mat Dream Brand, joins Fancy again to discuss business growth. The two catch up on what’s new with I’Mat Dream Brand and how they are preparing for growth. Tami also shares three questions one should ask oneself when seeking growth opportunities in business. They are the following questions below.
Tami Curry is an inner healing advocate and beauty entrepreneur. She is passionate about helping people to find their inner beauty, strength, and confidence, and she believes that when we make the effort to heal ourselves from the inside out, we can create a life of abundance and joy. Tami’s mission is to inspire others to take control of their lives and to live authentically and courageously. She also believes in the power of beauty and love to transform lives. The Baton Rouge native is excited to share her journey with you.
To join us for Black Women Made Whole on March 15, 2023, register here bit.ly/bwmadewhole.
Have you ever wondered what running a business with your spouse would be like?
Well, today, you can find out as Tory and Teri Smith of Love in Black with Tory & Teri share all the deets about working together as marriage/relationship therapists.
The Smiths agree that initially, their working styles clashed, but they worked through that. One piece of advice that stood out to me was when Tory said the following about conflict in the work relationship, “You have to have your own objectivity as well. Because if both of you are business owners and both of you have ideas, and you want each other ideas to be heard and/or implemented-but if one of you are maybe in disagreement, how do you dissolve that? And then that spills over into the marriage. So there’s conflict in the business and now conflict in the marriage.”
We also discuss the Smiths’ entrepreneurial journey and how they got to be veterans in their industry.
About the Smiths
Tory and Teri Smith aren’t your average married couple. Many husbands and wives share a hobby or two here and there or enjoy bonding over dinner and a glass of wine; however, the Smiths have taken marital bonding to another level. In addition to their love for one another, they also share a passion for helping others.
Tory and Teri are Nationally Board Certified Christian Marriage Counselors and the founders of I Forever Will Christian Marriage Counseling, LLC.
Not only is this power couple a pair of marriage counselors, but they’ve also significantly developed and expanded their passion for improving relationships globally. They are the hosts of the television and radio talk show titled “Love In BLACK w/ Tory & Teri.”
Their show focuses on cultivating Positive Love Conversations, which means that your love is always in the positive. No topics are off limits as they discuss the ins & outs of relationships and provide advice for singles looking for love.
You can listen to “Love In BLACK w/ Tory & Teri “ Podcasts on Apple Music, Spotify, and iHeart Radio.
If you’d like to watch a live episode of their show, you can connect with Tory and Teri by following Love In BLACK w/ Tory & Teri on YouTube, A-Star TV, and Facebook.
If you or someone you know is interested in counseling services, please go to iforeverwill.com and complete the contact form. If you would like to appear on one of their shows, submit a relationship letter or show topic or would like to book them to speak at your event, contact them at info@loveinblackwithtoryandteri.com or click on 'Radio Show' on their site. Follow on Instagram at @loveinblackwithtoryandteri.
Do you dream of a partnership with walmart.com? Well, you are in the right place. In this episode, Fancy is joined by I’Mat Dream Curator Tami Curry.
Within five months of opening I’Mat Dream, Tami was able to secure placement on walmart.com, and in this episode, she’s sharing how tips for you to do the same.
Tami Curry is an inner healing advocate and beauty entrepreneur. She is passionate about helping people to find their inner beauty, strength, and confidence, and she believes that when we make the effort to heal ourselves from the inside out, we can create a life of abundance and joy. Tami’s mission is to inspire others to take control of their lives and to live authentically and courageously. She is also a big believer in the power of beauty and love to transform lives. The Baton Rouge native is excited to share her journey with you.
Follow and connect with Tami below.
Website: www.imatdream.com
Instagram: @imatdreambrand
Facebook: @imatdreambrand
Tami's Facebook: Tami Curry
Before we jump into four tips for killer pitches, here’s a little background on the Pitch Slayer, Precious Williams.
Perfect Pitches By Precious founder and #KillerPitchMaster, Precious L. Williams, has influenced thousands — perhaps even millions — with her media interviews and appearances on Shark Tank and America’s Real Deal (which recently premiered in Beverly Hills). Recently, she released her latest book, The Pitch Queen: A Woman’s Journey From Poverty To Purpose & Profits.
All of us are selling something, even if it's ourselves, our brands, our books, our products, or our services. You have, you know, the magazine. You have a media you have a media empire. Don't ever dumb that down for anybody else. Don't ever. Because there are people right now who need what we have. I started pitching for curvy girls. Know what people kept saying to me? No one cares about plus-size women. No one.
If you struggle with pitching, you will find value in this interview. But even if you don’t struggle with pitching, you will surely enjoy Precious and have a laugh!
Click here to purchase The Pitch Queen: A Woman’s Journey From Poverty To Purpose & Profits.
Precious IG: @perfectpitchesp
Enjoying CEO Chatter? Watch more CEO Chatter LIVE and read more CEO Chatter blogs here.
Got something you can teach the Chatters? Pitch me at fancy@swagher.net.