Todd and Wels sit down in the Twin Cities with longtime friend and collaborator Andy Gray, Executive Director of Catalyst for Harmony. From a heart attack the morning after announcing his transition to launch Catalyst, to building discipleship-centered cohorts and national Sankofa trips, Andy shares why nonprofit growth has to be intentional—rooted in vision, paced with patience, and supported by systems, brand, and storytelling. We also unpack VBG’s role in helping Catalyst translate mission into media, including documentary work from Sankofa journeys.
What You’ll Learn
Why “build slow, build strong” beats quick wins for nonprofit impact
How to stand up a new nonprofit: board, legal, finance, site, and fundraising platform
The power of discipleship-driven formation over one-off events
Why Sankofa trips create lasting empathy and multi-ethnic ministry momentum
Practical advice for leaders: align vision with infrastructure and generational skill sets
How brand, video, and web help unlock grants, partnerships, and community trust
Highlights & Timestamps
00:01 – Cold open and on-location intro from the Twin Cities
03:30 – Andy’s story: engineering, pastoring, then launching Catalyst for Harmony
07:12 – The moment that sparked action: Philando Castile, presence, and pastoral care
13:51 – 2020–2022: calling crystallizes, paperwork, launch—then recovery after a heart attack
23:08 – Starting a nonprofit: articles, board, payroll, website, and why details matter
28:05 – Visionaries need operators: pace yourself for five-year outcomes
31:12 – Generational collaboration: pairing mission with modern media and systems
36:42 – National Sankofa initiative, and the Flourishing Together Cohort model
40:15 – What’s next: more cohorts, a larger national trip, deeper church partnerships
In this episode, the hosts welcome Dr. Caleb St. Jean, an optometrist, and owner of Eyes On Central in St. Petersburg, Florida. They discuss his journey into optometry, the innovations he is bringing to his practice, and the challenges of running a small business in a competitive market. Dr. St. Jean shares his personal story of how his mother's experience with glaucoma inspired his passion for eye care. The conversation also touches on community engagement, marketing strategies, and the importance of faith and resilience in overcoming setbacks. Dr. St. Jean emphasizes the need for representation in the field of optometry and shares his vision for the future of his practice.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:45 The Journey of Eyes On Central
05:45 Innovations in Optometry
08:31 Personal Passion for Vision Care
11:32 Business Challenges and Opportunities
14:26 Community Engagement and Marketing
19:57 Unexpected Health Insights
21:18 Community Collaboration in Business
22:29 Faith and Business Resilience
25:30 Future Visions for Eyes on Central
27:25 Navigating Setbacks as an Entrepreneur
30:18 Connecting with the Community
This week on The VBG Brief, we’re welcoming Elijah, our Q3 Business Development Intern. Hear his story, learn what he’s focused on, and why this internship is about more than just experience—it’s about building something that lasts. Whether you're a founder or fellow student, you'll walk away with insight into how we approach business development at VBG.
This week on The VBG Brief, we welcome our new CMO, Gernise Gregoire, and dive into a conversation that challenges the status quo: what makes someone an expert? Is it age? Time in the game? Or results? From overcoming bias to building credibility as a young leader, we’re unpacking the real definition of expertise—and what it means for creative professionals today.
In Episode 10 of The VBG Brief, the team sits down to reflect on Q2—from new creative breakthroughs to the systems behind their campaigns. Todd, Wels, and Al walk through their Sankofa video project, how they helped raise $54K for a nonprofit client, and why Q3 is all about working smarter. If you’re a small business, startup, or nonprofit leader, this is a raw and tactical breakdown of what it looks like to build creative momentum with strategy and clarity.
In Episode 9 of The VBG Brief, Todd, Wels, and Al break down why video is still the most powerful tool in marketing, especially in the AI era. They reflect on the team’s work with The Encouraging Place and share how storytelling drives real revenue. They also give insight into their creative process, what separates good content from effective content, and why knowing your ICP is mission-critical.
Building Community with Vision: A Conversation with Pastor Phillip Walker
In this episode, Pastor Phillip Walker shares how his personal story, entrepreneurial heart, and spiritual leadership intersect to drive real change in Southeast Raleigh. From launching affordable housing through Summit at Sawyer to coining the idea of “MUTT Goals” (Measured, Unattainable, and Transformational), Pastor Walker unpacks what it looks like for churches, especially small ones, to lead boldly in community development. We talk about legacy, storytelling, faith, and the future of Raleigh.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests
01:52 Pastor Walker's Background and Journey
06:18 Vision Behind Summit at Sawyer
11:59 Importance of Telling the Story
14:46 Understanding Mutt Goals
26:08 Future Vision for Raleigh and Community Engagement
Keywords
Pastor Walker, community empowerment, affordable housing, Mutt goals, church vision, economic development, Raleigh, podcast, storytelling, faith-based initiatives
Summary
In this episode, Todd and Wels reflect on their journey as business partners, discussing their five-year milestone, the evolution of their website, and the origins of their partnership. They delve into the challenges they faced while starting their organization, Rev7.9, aimed at addressing social issues and fostering understanding within their community. The conversation highlights their growth, the lessons learned, and their aspirations for the future. In this conversation, Wels and Todd reflect on the journey of Rev7.9, discussing its origins, evolution, and the foundational values that drive their mission. They share experiences from live events, partnerships, and the challenges of creative growth, while also looking forward to future goals and projects.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
03:06 Reflecting on Five Years of Business
05:57 Website Evolution and Branding
08:51 The Origin of Their Partnership
11:57 Rev7.9 and Social Impact Initiatives
14:57 Challenges and Growth in Business
18:02 Looking Ahead and Future Plans
18:30 The Birth of Rev 7.9
22:03 The Evolution of Rev7.9
24:35 Foundational Values and Mission
26:36 Partnerships and Collaborations
30:08 Creative Growth and Challenges
34:54 Reflecting on Achievements and Future Goals
Keywords
podcast, business, partnership, branding, social impact, website design, entrepreneurship, Rev7.9, growth, challenges, Rev7.9, marketing journey, live events, partnerships, nonprofit, creative growth, mission-driven, videography, collaboration, business evolution
In this episode of The VBG Brief, the team sits down with Djouny Eugene, a talented wedding photographer, to explore his journey from hobbyist to full-time creative entrepreneur.
Djouny shares the story behind his business, what it takes to build meaningful relationships with clients, and why community over competition is a value he lives by. He also dives into his creative process, his branding and marketing strategies, and his aspirations for the future.
Whether you’re a fellow creative, a small business owner, or someone looking to grow a personal brand, this conversation offers practical insight, inspiration, and a reminder that treating people well is still the best strategy.
Website: https://www.anglesbydjouny.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anglesbydjouny/
Chapters
00:00 The Journey Begins: Podcast Dynamics
02:09 Friendship and Brotherhood: The Backstory
04:50 From Hobbyist to Professional: The Photography Journey
07:44 The Leap of Faith: Quitting the Day Job
10:25 Building a Brand: Marketing and Client Relationships
16:58 Building a Brand: Angles by Junie
20:39 Creative Process and Behind the Scenes
23:04 Growth Mindset in Photography
25:55 The Future of Photography: A Personal Journey
29:09 Advice for New Photographers
33:06 The Importance of Client Relationships
photography, wedding photography, business, branding, creative process, entrepreneurship, client relationships, photography tips, Djouny Eugene, Angles by Djouny
This week on the VBG Brief, we sit down with William Winters—master barber, entrepreneur, and creative force behind Mr. Groom Room. He shares his story, talks about using TikTok to grow his brand, and drops gems for anyone looking to scale with culture, confidence, and consistency.
Instagram: @mr_groomroom_barbershop
Website: https://mrgroomroombarbershop.com
Keywords
barbering, personal branding, social media, community impact, gentrification, content creation, efficiency, haircut, entrepreneurship, podcast, barbering, timeliness, pricing, criminal justice, consistency, customer service, haircuts, business advice, community service, professional development
In this episode, we reflect on our journey as agency owners and podcast hosts—breaking down what we’ve learned, what’s surprised us, and how we’re growing through it all.
We talk about:
• The expectations vs. reality of running an agency
• The importance of client relationships
• The role of certifications & continued learning
• How we stay grounded through challenges
• And where we want to be by Episode 100 👀
Whether you’re building something of your own or just curious about what goes on behind the scenes—this one's for you.
🔔 Subscribe for more weekly insights from the VBG team.
In this episode, the fellas engage with Toni Tupponce from A Sign of the Times, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the legacy of the African diaspora through music and culture. They discuss the organization's mission, the importance of rebranding to connect with younger audiences, and the significance of the Ankh symbol in their identity. The conversation highlights the emotional impact of their events, the evolution of their logo, and future plans for community engagement and support.
In this episode of the VBG Brief, we’re joined by Gernise Gregoire (@ggthriveguide), a PR and marketing strategist passionate about storytelling, cultural impact, and helping brands grow with purpose. She shares lessons from her career, insight on authentic marketing, and advice for small business owners looking to connect more deeply with their audience.
In this inaugural episode of the VBG BriefCreative podcast, Todd, Wels, and Al introduce themselves and discuss the core values that drive their agency. They emphasize the importance of family, excellence, and purpose-driven work in their business culture. The conversation also touches on their growth and competitive spirit as they navigate the marketing landscape, aiming to make a positive impact through their work.
