Innovation City

Today's guest is Tyler Kelley, co-founder of SLAM! Agency, a marketing agency based out of St. Louis that focuses on helping businesses fulfill their purpose. In this episode, Tyler sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss his journey from DJ to marketing expert, key foundational marketing principles, and the importance of being strengthened by our failures. “I don’t think that anybody can look back on the roughest toughest parts of their lives and say that didn’t get me to where I am now.” -Tyler Kelley

Today's guest is Jermar Perry, co-founder of the Village PATH (Programs to Access Therapy and Healing), a space designed to help Black men heal in St. Louis. In this episode, Jermar sits down with the team to discuss how difficult it is for men to be vulnerable, the Village PATH programs available in St. Louis, and the interplay between Black culture, trauma, and mental health. “Men in general don’t have many spaces to not just talk about sports.” -Jermar Perry

Today's guest is Suzanne Tucker, founder and CEO of Generation Mindful, a global brand that's on a mission to raise an emotionally healthy world. In this episode, Suzanne sits down with the team to discuss the importance of teaching children about emotional health, advice for parents, and her own journey that led to focusing on mindfulness for families. “The solution comes in the way we raise children without shame.” -Suzanne Tucker

Today's guest is Austin Smith, founder and CEO of Mission Control, a community platform that organizes recreational esports. In this episode, Austin sits down with the team to discuss the tremendous growth in the esports industry, the power of human connection, and the challenges involved in the multi-player video game market.

Today's guest is Cynthia Chapple, founder and CEO of Black Girls Do STEM, an organization offering exploration of STEM career pathways to middle and high school black girls in St. Louis. In this episode, Cynthia sits down with the team to discuss her journey as a black woman in STEM, what her organization is doing to close the gap between women and STEM, and what institutions should be doing to better serve our youth. “Schools need to become places of innovation, places of noise, and chaos, because that is what learning looks like.” -Cynthia Chapple

Today's guest is Matthew Raithel, founder and Studio Director of Graphite Lab, a video game development company. Matt has brought some of the most famous brands to life through video games including Transformers, My Little Pony, RollerCoaster Tycoon, Dora the Explorer, and much more. In this episode, Matt sits down with the team to discuss the creativity involved in video game development, challenges in the field, and guidance for aspiring video game developers. “Creativity is building something out of nothing or blazing a path that’s not obvious in front of you.” -Matthew Raithel

Today's guest is Bea Ayala-Muñiz, founder and CEO of Musicasa, an organization that's changing the way people connect through live music in intimate gatherings. In this episode, Bea sits down with the team to discuss what she learned during a year of world travels, how she infuses music into everything she does, and the power of small gatherings for human connection. “Everything is about how we can add to each other’s lives.” -Bea Ayala-Muñiz

Today's guest is Matt Haggman, Executive Vice President at The Beacon Council, where he leads Opportunity Miami, an initiative to catalyze Miami's economic future. In this episode, Matt sits down with the team to discuss what's next for Miami, how to create a diverse and inclusive economy, and his lessons learned during his recent attempt at running for Congress. “Miami can stand out by having a diverse and skilled workforce that’s unlike anything else globally.” -Matt Haggman

Today's guest is Arturo Nuñez, Chief Marketing Office at NuBank, the world's largest independent digital bank. Nuñez's impressive career in marketing spans decades of working for the NBA, Nike, APPLE, and other corporate giants. In this episode, Nuñez sits down with the team to discuss the art of storytelling in marketing, building emotional connections, and how to make brands accessible to all consumers. “Great advertising communication is when the customer sees themselves reflected.” -Arturo Nuñez

Today's guest is Kristen Corpion, founder of CORPLaw, an innovative firm providing a space for lawyers to focus on their happiness. Kristen is also a legal advocate, a law school professor, and a mentor. In this episode, Kristen sits down with the team to discuss the need for lawyers to work on their mental health, common challenges faced by startups in the legal realm, and her tactics for making her business stand out in a sea of law firms. “We can’t innovate when we’re unhappy with what we’re doing in our lives.” -Kristen Corpion

Today's guest is Hector Mujica, head of economic opportunity at Google across the Americas. In his work at Google, Hector works to create jobs and access to capital for minority-owned business owners. In this episode, Hector sits down with the team to discuss the challenges of corporate philanthropy, the importance of being a cultural ambassador in philanthropy work, and the momentum that currently exists in Miami. “Let things break; let balls drop every once in a while.” -Hector Mujica

“Leadership is not one who has all the answers, but is someone who is vulnerable & human.” -Ivan Rapin-Smith Today's guest is Ivan Rapin-Smith, Managing Director of Watsco Ventures, an incubator company in Miami. Ivan is an empathetic leader with decades of experience in the accelerator and startup industries. In this episode, Ivan sits down with the team to discuss top leadership qualities, the importance of thinking long-term, and the innovative work Watsco Ventures is doing to support hundreds of HVAC businesses.

Today's guest is Gazelle Hashemian, CEO of BluJuniper and co-founder of Blue Turquoise. Gazelle is a seasoned entrepreneur and a force to be reckoned with in all things she takes on in business and life. In this episode, Gazelle sits down with the team to discuss her dedication to investing in female and minority-led businesses, her successes and failures working with startups, and the fulfillment she gets from her nonprofit work. “The road is hard, but unless we try, we can’t overcome it, and we will not be able to achieve a tipping point where it no longer would matter what the gender of the founder is.”-Gazelle Hashemian

“I can’t just be out here making artwork that’s not going to help anybody else or is not going to make me a better person.” -Mojo Today's guest is Anthony Reed II, better known in the art community as 'Mojo,' a Contemporary Artist and nonprofit leader based out of Miami. Mojo sees it as his duty to use his art to create change. In this episode, Mojo sits down with the team to discuss his transformative trip to Ghana, the pivotal moments in his artistic journey, and how he's working on manifesting his vision for a positive future through his art.

Learn from some of the top Miami entrepreneurs in this season of Innovation City. In Season 4, we discuss everything from achieving a state of flow, disrupting the personal banking industry, and the future of tech in Miami! Tune in to hear these innovative and successful guests give advice, tips, and tricks for achieving success in your business and life.

Learn from some of the top entrepreneurial trailblazers in St. Louis in this season of Innovation City. In Season 5, we discuss everything from setting mental health goals and the power of believing in yourself to creating boozy ice cream! Tune in to hear these inspiring guests give advice, tips, and tricks for achieving success in your business and life.

“I’ve learned to be resilient and to make sure I don’t let the little hiccups or the changes that come my way stop me.” -Muriel Smith Today’s guest is Muriel Smith, Executive Director at the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank, where they work to end diaper need and period poverty through access, education, and advocacy. Muriel has nearly twenty years of nonprofit leadership experience serving the St. Louis community. In this episode, Muriel sits down with the team to discuss the tremendous need families have for essential products like diapers and period supplies, the attributes of great nonprofit leaders, the challenges to nonprofit work, and much more!

“Over time, I’ve been able to see that the journey does play out without you, so you can either be part of it or not.”-Robyn Rosenberger Today’s guest is Robyn Rosenberger, the Founder and CEO at TinySuperheroes, a social enterprise that works to empower extraordinary kids- one cape at a time! Robyn founded TinySuperheroes in 2012 and has been working tirelessly since then to help families and kids overcome illness and disability. In this episode, Robyn discusses the story behind Tiny Superheroes, trusting the journey, and seeing the positive in the most challenging times!

Today’s guest is Danny Gula, partner at Redding Creative, a media company specializing in video production. Danny Gula is a well-known digital content creator, a former Vat19 employee, a star in the series Hidden in Plain Sight, a husband and a father. In this episode, Danny sits down with the team to discuss using ADHD to your advantage, creating viral video content, the power of believing in yourself, and much more!

“Mental health has progressed now to where It’s not just about stigma… it’s connecting the dots with access.” -Melissa Douglass Today’s guest is Melissa Douglass, Founder and Virtual Clinical Director at Goal Driven Counseling, one of the first 100% virtual group practices in the U.S. Melissa is a talented counselor and a savvy businesswoman who built her practice from the ground up. In this episode, Melissa sits down with the team to discuss removing mental health stigmas, normalizing the concept of mental health goals, and business tips for counselors with their own practice!