Latest / Power Moves Media / Power Moves Ep. 3: Dr. Darvincia Warren on Financial Readiness & Business Growth

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Power Moves Ep. 3: Dr. Darvincia Warren on Financial Readiness & Business Growth · Power Moves Media

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_03: Welcome to Power Moves, where we break down strategies and opportunities shaping business, economic growth, and community right here in Prince Rogers County.
• 0:10
  SPEAKER_03: I'm Alexander Austin, enterprise value strategist and nonprofit CEO.
• 0:15
  SPEAKER_04: And I'm Rose Johnson, the founder of the Spotlight DMV.
• 0:18
  SPEAKER_04: Welcome back to Power Moves.
• 0:20
  SPEAKER_03: We have a great episode today.
• 0:22
  SPEAKER_03: Great guests, great topic, and honestly, a lot happening in the county that we need to talk about.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_04: That's right.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_04: So let's dive right into it.
• 0:33
  SPEAKER_04: Okay, so before we get to the main topic, can we just take a moment?
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_04: Because Prince George's County has been on the move.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_04: There are some projects that are taking off that we have been waiting.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_04: We have been waiting for.
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_04: And so there has been some movement on those projects.
• 0:53
  SPEAKER_03: Absolutely.
• 0:53
  SPEAKER_03: Tell me about it.
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_03: I mean, you know, what are you seeing out there?
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_04: Well, first, let's talk about Preakness.
• 1:00
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_04: So Preakness is the third race in the Triple Crown, and it was hosted for the first time at Laurel Park.
• 1:08
  SPEAKER_04: And that's bringing national attention.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_04: Yes.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_03: Huge.
• 1:11
  SPEAKER_04: And guys, that is bringing national attention right here to Prince George's County.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_04: And I really loved what we were doing around that because we're right next door to the county that is hosting it.
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_02: That's right.
• 1:25
  SPEAKER_02: That's right.
• 1:27
  SPEAKER_04: We're right next door to that county.
• 1:28
  SPEAKER_04: And so that means it was an economic driver for us.
• 1:32
  SPEAKER_02: That's right.
• 1:32
  SPEAKER_04: And so a huge thing that Laurel did was saddle up.
• 1:36
  SPEAKER_04: What was it?
• 1:37
  SPEAKER_04: Saddle up Laurel?
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_02: Mm-hmm.
• 1:39
  SPEAKER_04: Saddle up Laurel, where they were campaigning to let people know the businesses that were right there around the park that they could come to for dinner, or even if you weren't going to the actual race, you could go to that business for a watch party.
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_03: No, that's pretty dope.
• 1:55
  SPEAKER_03: That's pretty dope.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_03: I think you know things like that don't happen by accident.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_03: You know, there's planning, there's things that have to happen, but it is a major move.
• 2:04
  SPEAKER_03: And really, when you talk about the city of Laurel, they've been doing some amazing things.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_02: They have.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_03: I've noticed some restaurants popping up.
• 2:10
  SPEAKER_03: I don't know if you've been on Main Street, a few cool places, right?
• 2:14
  SPEAKER_03: And so strategically, how Laurel is situated where it shares space amongst three different counties for prectists to come here, it it shows the equestrian um uh industry in Prince George's County.
• 2:28
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
• 2:28
  SPEAKER_03: And it's something that we can capitalize on.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_03: And then to be at a time in Laurel where Laurel is starting to go through some transformation, um, I think it was absolutely amazing.
• 2:37
  SPEAKER_04: And so let's stay right there with the transformation happening in Laurel because then we have Conterra.
• 2:43
  SPEAKER_02: Uh-oh.
• 2:45
  SPEAKER_04: They broke ground on Cantera, and that has been 40 years in the making guys.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_03: You said 40?
• 2:52
  SPEAKER_04: 4-0.
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_03: Wow.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_03: Like Moses going to Mount Sinai?
• 2:57
  SPEAKER_03: Wow.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_03: I'm 48.
• 3:00
  SPEAKER_04: So I'm not even gonna put out my age, but yes.
• 3:03
  SPEAKER_03: I'm just saying, so this this has been going on longer, more, probably most of my life.
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_03: Most of my life.
• 3:10
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
• 3:10
  SPEAKER_03: That's that's wow.
• 3:11
  SPEAKER_04: And so Cantera is on 2200 acres, and there's plans for 12 million square feet of residential retail mixed use.
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_02: Yes.
• 3:21
  SPEAKER_04: And so that's a lot of the type of development that we're seeing these days.
• 3:25
  SPEAKER_04: The residential retail mixed use, where it's a walkable area.
• 3:31
  SPEAKER_04: Um people can uh just walk out their front doors and be able to patronize different businesses.
• 3:37
  SPEAKER_04: You don't have to drive.
• 3:39
  SPEAKER_04: Yep.
• 3:39
  SPEAKER_04: That's been what we're seeing lately.
• 3:41
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, I mean, um County Executive Brave Boy um said that the groundbreaking, there are over$18 billion in economic development projects happening in Prince Rogers County right now.
• 3:53
  SPEAKER_03: $18 billion.
• 3:56
  SPEAKER_03: Like, I'm gonna say that one more time for the people in the back.
• 3:59
  SPEAKER_03: $18 billion in economic development projects in our county right now.
• 4:06
  unknown: Big.
• 4:06
  SPEAKER_04: And so I really want to dive into what that means.
• 4:10
  SPEAKER_04: But before we get into that piece of it, the last project that I want to talk about is Westphalia.
• 4:16
  SPEAKER_03: What's sprouting up over there?
• 4:22
  SPEAKER_04: You like the segue?
• 4:23
  SPEAKER_04: You like the sequel?
• 4:26
  SPEAKER_04: So Sprouts Market has signed on to come to Westphalia.
• 4:30
  SPEAKER_03: Hey, that deserves a round of applause.
• 4:32
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah.
• 4:33
  SPEAKER_03: Yes, yes, yes.
• 4:35
  SPEAKER_04: And this has been something that, you know, when Westphalia was first uh imagined and being sold to the residents that currently live there, no, uh, they were promised a shopping center with a grocery store that would anchor it.
• 4:50
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
• 4:50
  SPEAKER_04: And they had to really, really advocate for that.
• 4:53
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
• 4:54
  SPEAKER_03: Uh the, I mean, those are the kind of developments that really drive quality of life for the community.
• 4:59
  SPEAKER_03: And we were talking earlier that when when West Philly was really under development, it was headed right into the Great Recession.
• 5:06
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
• 5:06
  SPEAKER_03: And the project seemed like it took us it took a stall point.
• 5:10
  SPEAKER_03: There was still some development that happened throughout the years, but it right where we're starting to gain momentum, it was cut at the knees because of economics, right?
• 5:20
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and so to see this happen is a major win.
• 5:24
  SPEAKER_03: It's a step in the right direction.
• 5:26
  SPEAKER_03: And, you know, I think we have to think about how we accelerate these gaps across the county.
• 5:32
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and this is just one major one to do to do that.
• 5:35
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, and so you know, I'm looking at all three of these stories, Preakness, Cantera, Westphalia, and I keep coming back to the same thing.
• 5:45
  SPEAKER_04: None of this happened through a silo or one person behind it.
• 5:50
  SPEAKER_04: It took millions of people.
• 5:53
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
• 5:53
  SPEAKER_04: Millions of people to get it done.
• 5:55
  SPEAKER_02: And dollars.
• 5:56
  SPEAKER_04: And dollars, exactly.
• 5:57
  SPEAKER_04: And so that's exactly what we're talking about today.
• 6:00
  SPEAKER_04: We're talking about convening strategically.
• 6:04
  SPEAKER_04: So when we talk about that 18 billion billion dollars.
• 6:09
  SPEAKER_03: Wow, I love that number.
• 6:10
  SPEAKER_03: 18 billion dollars.
• 6:12
  SPEAKER_03: Well, convening for results, right?
• 6:14
  SPEAKER_03: And that's exactly what it is.
• 6:15
  SPEAKER_03: Um when we're when we're saying strategic initiatives is who had who needs to be at the table, when they need to be at the table, and what's the desired outcome.
• 6:24
  SPEAKER_03: And I think what you're seeing is collective parties who are saying we are going to move without haste.
• 6:32
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
• 6:32
  SPEAKER_03: Right?
• 6:33
  SPEAKER_03: We're not gonna create more barriers, we're just gonna get it done, we're gonna put it out there, and we're gonna start the project.
• 6:40
  SPEAKER_03: Now that it's out there, we gotta get the shovel in the ground.
• 6:43
  SPEAKER_04: Exactly.
• 6:44
  SPEAKER_03: And what's that gonna take?
• 6:45
  SPEAKER_03: It's gonna take convening for results, right?
• 6:48
  SPEAKER_04: Yes.
• 6:48
  SPEAKER_03: Every level, get the contractors there, the developers there, get the legislators there, get the authorities there, get the community involved.
• 6:57
  SPEAKER_03: Let's get to the place where we can get shovel in the ground and production starts, and it does not stop until the last brick is laid, right?
• 7:06
  SPEAKER_03: That's what you gotta do.
• 7:08
  SPEAKER_04: And so that's exactly what we're talking about today.
• 7:12
  SPEAKER_04: And we have the perfect guest to help us dig into that and talk about what it means when you strategically convene and are in the right room with the right people.
• 7:23
  SPEAKER_03: There you go.
• 7:24
  SPEAKER_03: There you go.
• 7:25
  SPEAKER_04: She's deeply embedded in the financial ecosystem of Prince George's County and the DMV.
• 7:29
  SPEAKER_04: And she's gonna bring a perspective to today's conversation that you cannot get anywhere else.
• 7:34
  SPEAKER_03: I love I love the guests.
• 7:36
  SPEAKER_03: I can't wait for the artists to find out because I've personally been watching the evolution.
• 7:42
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and it's just amazing to see and to be in this space to learn um and to share the journey is amazing.
• 7:48
  SPEAKER_03: What tell them who you want to tell them who it is?
• 7:50
  SPEAKER_04: Today we are joined by someone who has been doing the work of financial empowerment in Prince George's County and the DMV region for nearly 15 years.
• 8:00
  SPEAKER_04: She is the founder and CEO of Core DMV, a financial services firm redefining what financial freedom looks like for individuals, small businesses, and underserved communities.
• 8:12
  SPEAKER_04: She is an award-winning financial strategist, a Goldman Sachs 1 million black woman alumni, Maryland's Top 100 Women 2026, and the recipient of the Prince George's Chamber of Commerce 2025 Excellence in Business Award for Minority Business of the Year.
• 8:31
  unknown: Yes, indeed.
• 8:32
  SPEAKER_04: You may know her as the Money Chick.
• 8:34
  SPEAKER_04: Welcome to Power Moves, Dr.
• 8:36
  SPEAKER_04: Darvincia Warren.
• 8:38
  SPEAKER_01: Yes, thank you so much for having me.
• 8:40
  SPEAKER_04: We are so, so excited to have you here.
• 8:43
  SPEAKER_04: And today, as we mentioned at the forefront, we are talking about convening and how that works in your business.
• 8:50
  SPEAKER_04: And so, Dr.
• 8:51
  SPEAKER_04: Warren, I have to start here because your story is one that a lot of people in this county need to hear.
• 8:58
  SPEAKER_04: Core DMV started as a tax preparation firm, and now you're doing government-backed workshops, employer wellness programs, strategic coaching, Maryland's top 100 women.
• 9:11
  SPEAKER_04: Like, that is not a straight line.
• 9:15
  SPEAKER_04: Thank you.
• 9:16
  SPEAKER_04: So take us back.
• 9:17
  SPEAKER_04: What did Core DMV look like in the beginning?
• 9:20
  SPEAKER_01: Yes.
• 9:20
  SPEAKER_01: Well, Core DMV looked like DW tax preparation.
• 9:24
  SPEAKER_01: Um, that's actually where we started.
• 9:26
  SPEAKER_01: Um, and when I think about it today, I was always like, I don't want to just do taxes, right?
• 9:33
  SPEAKER_01: Um, I really was passionate about wanting to help people with their finances because when you do prepare taxes for families, you get a full picture of their entire financial scope for their entire family.
• 9:45
  SPEAKER_01: You're able to see if they're saving for retirement, you're able to see, you know, how much income they're making annually, if they have college retirement, excuse me, college savings, just different aspects of their entire financial portfolio, but you send them on their way after you help them with the that one time a year visit, right?
• 10:04
  SPEAKER_01: And so it became clear for me that I needed to do something different.
• 10:08
  SPEAKER_01: And that was the reason why I ventured off into additional financial services and got licensed there.
• 10:13
  SPEAKER_03: Very nice.
• 10:14
  SPEAKER_03: So as Corn, as the uh CoreMB uh started getting into different rooms and meeting different people, can you expand on how that impacted your visions?
• 10:23
  SPEAKER_01: Yes, yes.
• 10:24
  SPEAKER_01: So um again, it started, I was just preparing taxes and I just wanted to help people with that.
• 10:30
  SPEAKER_01: Um, but you know, they say your network is your net worth, right?
• 10:35
  SPEAKER_01: Well, it truly has been for me.
• 10:37
  SPEAKER_01: My relationships have been the key in growing my business.
• 10:41
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, from whether it's me create getting opportunities to speak in front of groups of people or me being given the tools and resources to learn how to operate a business, right?
• 10:53
  SPEAKER_01: From cash flow, learning cash flow.
• 10:55
  SPEAKER_01: A lot of people may think that because I'm the money chick that I fully understood how business financials work.
• 11:00
  SPEAKER_01: Well, I'll be the first to tell you I did not, right?
• 11:03
  SPEAKER_01: And, you know, programs like Goldman Sachs, programs like FSC First is level up, programs like the Chambers Equity and Procurement Cohort that I just recently graduated from have all yes, phenomenal program.
• 11:17
  SPEAKER_01: I think, for me, honestly, the equity and procurement cohort was, and I've, as you can see, taken part in many different programs that can advance you as an executive leader, right?
• 11:29
  SPEAKER_01: But for me, the equity and procurement cohort was by far the best one because I'm all about activation.
• 11:37
  SPEAKER_01: So I think that was also a reason why I shifted my the goals of the business because it was about at first just information and then they were just left there.
• 11:46
  SPEAKER_01: But I wanted to shift from just information to activation, and that was the difference for me with the equity and procurement cohort.
• 11:54
  SPEAKER_01: It gave us information that we needed to excel, but then put us in the space to activate that information and acquire uh connections to really generate revenue for our business and impact the economic development of the community as well.
• 12:10
  SPEAKER_04: You know, I I really love that.
• 12:13
  SPEAKER_04: And especially when we're talking about, you know, Alex, you and I were talking about different businesses need different things, especially when you're at a different level.
• 12:23
  SPEAKER_04: And when I think about, so again, we're talking about convening, which means basically getting together.
• 12:28
  SPEAKER_04: When you told me that, I was like, what is that?
• 12:31
  SPEAKER_04: It's just getting together.
• 12:33
  SPEAKER_04: But getting together and being strategic.
• 12:36
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, yeah.
• 12:37
  SPEAKER_04: And so when I think about when I first started and I said I want to be an entrepreneur, and that was not something that had ever been in my mind, like ever.
• 12:46
  SPEAKER_04: I never thought that I would be a business owner.
• 12:49
  SPEAKER_04: Right.
• 12:49
  SPEAKER_04: And so when I started venturing out and showing up into rooms, and I wasn't clear, and I was even afraid to go into the room because I'm like, what am I going in there to go talk about?
• 13:00
  SPEAKER_04: Like, I have no idea what I am doing.
• 13:03
  SPEAKER_04: What am I even going to talk about when I get in there?
• 13:05
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah.
• 13:06
  SPEAKER_04: So talk to us about some of those early rooms that you went into when maybe you weren't comfortable, you weren't clear.
• 13:13
  SPEAKER_04: What did that look like to you?
• 13:15
  SPEAKER_01: Oh my goodness, it's so interesting that you say that.
• 13:17
  SPEAKER_01: So I was one that was always in the room, right?
• 13:20
  SPEAKER_01: I still am, but I was always in the room.
• 13:24
  SPEAKER_01: However, and we talked a little earlier, and I'll expound on ROI, return on your investment, right?
• 13:30
  SPEAKER_01: Which sometimes people all often limit to a monetary attachment, but you can get a return on your investment because your time is your investment as well.
• 13:39
  SPEAKER_01: So what are you getting out of it in the end?
• 13:41
  SPEAKER_01: Well, before, not much, right?
• 13:43
  SPEAKER_01: And this is just me being honest.
• 13:45
  SPEAKER_01: I knew there was value in the room, so I was always there.
• 13:49
  SPEAKER_01: But the mistake that I made and what I've seen in many entrepreneurs that I've come across is that they don't take advantage of the room and understanding that the room is the opportunity, right?
• 14:00
  SPEAKER_01: Um, in that, you know, whether it's in acquiring a contract, a grant, or just creating a space where you can provide your services, right?
• 14:09
  SPEAKER_01: Or create an opportunity where there can be synergy amongst the two organizations.
• 14:13
  SPEAKER_01: But nonetheless, I would go into these spaces.
• 14:15
  SPEAKER_01: I was always at the rooms.
• 14:16
  SPEAKER_01: I I would attend networking events, I would look for different um accelerator programs, and I would get the information and I would leave, right?
• 14:27
  SPEAKER_01: And, you know, I realized I was doing both myself a disservice as well as the people that I really wanted to impact, because we go into business for a reason, right?
• 14:35
  SPEAKER_01: It's to provide a service, but that service is an impact, right?
• 14:39
  SPEAKER_03: Let's put a pen in that real quick.
• 14:41
  SPEAKER_03: Oftentimes we don't discuss this enough.
• 14:43
  SPEAKER_03: But did you feel like, even though you were in the room, that you belonged in the room?
• 14:47
  SPEAKER_01: I did not.
• 14:48
  SPEAKER_01: I didn't.
• 14:48
  SPEAKER_01: And that was what stopped me from opening up my mouth.
• 14:52
  SPEAKER_01: And thank you for asking that.
• 14:53
  SPEAKER_01: So that imposter syndrome is real.
• 14:56
  SPEAKER_02: It's real, right?
• 14:57
  SPEAKER_02: It's real.
• 14:57
  SPEAKER_02: It's real.
• 14:58
  SPEAKER_02: Yes.
• 14:58
  SPEAKER_01: And so what had to happen for me, you know, for lack of better words, when the pain gets great enough, right?
• 15:06
  SPEAKER_01: Because, you know, you are in, in myself being the you in an industry where your your mission is finance, right?
• 15:14
  SPEAKER_01: To empower people financially, right?
• 15:17
  SPEAKER_01: But if no one knows what you do, how can you make that impact?
• 15:21
  SPEAKER_02: Say it again.
• 15:22
  SPEAKER_01: If no one knows what you do, how can you make that impact?
• 15:25
  SPEAKER_01: And you can be the best at it.
• 15:26
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
• 15:27
  SPEAKER_01: And so I learned that in business, it's 80% marketing and 20% product or service.
• 15:34
  SPEAKER_01: And you can have the greatest product or service, but if no one knows, then you're doing a disservice to both yourself and your potential customer.
• 15:42
  SPEAKER_01: So the biggest lesson that I learned in those rooms and what where I had to pivot, and this was very recent.
• 15:48
  SPEAKER_01: I'm just being completely honest, in the recent years, where I had to challenge myself to talk to everyone in the room.
• 15:55
  SPEAKER_01: Talk to everyone in the room, and I realized that there was power in that, that there were people that wanted to hear what I had to say, that there were people that were on the other side of the impact that I wanted to make, just waiting to hear from me.
• 16:09
  SPEAKER_01: And I had, you know, sort of uh delayed that connection by keeping my mouth shut.
• 16:16
  SPEAKER_01: And so I think the biggest lesson that I would like to put out there into the atmosphere, just related relating to that, is not just to be in the rooms, right?
• 16:25
  SPEAKER_01: Because that's that's the first step, but take advantage of the room and utilize the room as the opportunity because you'd be surprised how much can come from that from connections to the impact that you're actually looking to make.
• 16:36
  SPEAKER_03: Absolutely.
• 16:36
  SPEAKER_03: It sounds like you you made the room work for you, right?
• 16:39
  SPEAKER_01: Because it made the work room work for me.
• 16:41
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, I mean, it's a clear difference between showing up and converting, right?
• 16:45
  SPEAKER_02: Yes.
• 16:46
  SPEAKER_03: And one of the things that I'm I'm very, very um I can connect to is, you know, hearing what you have to say.
• 16:54
  SPEAKER_03: Yes.
• 16:54
  SPEAKER_03: And think about when you first said the first word to the first person to where you to your last conversation.
• 17:00
  SPEAKER_03: Yes, how smooth that transition is.
• 17:03
  SPEAKER_01: Oh my goodness.
• 17:04
  SPEAKER_03: Right.
• 17:05
  SPEAKER_03: And just just by trying it and saying, okay, well, that didn't really work.
• 17:08
  SPEAKER_03: This resonated, that, right?
• 17:10
  SPEAKER_03: And now it just gets smoother and smoother.
• 17:13
  SPEAKER_03: And to the point now where you say, hey, I have interns.
• 17:15
  SPEAKER_03: Are you giving them the blueprint of, hey, when you're in the room, this is how we sell our story.
• 17:20
  SPEAKER_03: This is how we share our, right?
• 17:22
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
• 17:22
  SPEAKER_03: The message around core DMV.
• 17:24
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
• 17:24
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and so I think, you know, that imposter syndrome is something that everyone goes through at every single level.
• 17:30
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
• 17:31
  SPEAKER_03: Right.
• 17:32
  SPEAKER_03: And it's not until you see the reactions or you get the response that you know, I got something.
• 17:37
  SPEAKER_01: I got something.
• 17:38
  SPEAKER_01: Right.
• 17:38
  SPEAKER_03: So I'm that's pretty dope.
• 17:40
  SPEAKER_03: Thanks for sharing that.
• 17:41
  SPEAKER_01: Absolutely.
• 17:41
  SPEAKER_01: I mean, even as recent as this past Saturday, I uh was the commencement speaker at an at a doctoral graduation ceremony.
• 17:51
  SPEAKER_01: And, you know, I had to have a moment of gratitude thereafter.
• 17:54
  SPEAKER_01: I mean, and I mean a crying moment of gratitude because when I say there were so many people that came up to me thereafter, to, you know, uh seniors in their, you know, 80s and 90s, to, you know, some of the graduating class that spoke to the impact that my message had to them.
• 18:13
  SPEAKER_01: And I was just like, little old me, you know, but again, just reminding myself that it is about opening your mouth and having that conversation because you'd be surprised who's waiting to hear from you on the other side of that.
• 18:26
  SPEAKER_01: And so they want to hear from you guys.
• 18:29
  SPEAKER_04: I didn't know where to look, but listen, you know, I I I liked um something that you mentioned, Alex, about refining the message when you get into the room.
• 18:42
  SPEAKER_04: And then you and I were talking earlier about what rooms we show up in.
• 18:50
  SPEAKER_04: And, you know, you've been um refining core DMV for 15 years and having this conversation now where you're at the point in the later, in the later of the 15 years of really growing.
• 19:07
  SPEAKER_04: Talk to us about what those rooms are looking like now that it's changing.
• 19:12
  SPEAKER_04: Because I know sometimes you have to say no to some of the rooms you used to be in in the beginning.
• 19:16
  SPEAKER_01: Absolutely.
• 19:17
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, yeah.
• 19:18
  SPEAKER_04: What does that journey look like?
• 19:20
  SPEAKER_01: Well, I think for me now, it's about is it aligned with the ultimate mission, right?
• 19:26
  SPEAKER_01: And and that's with everything from conversations to events to speaking engagements.
• 19:33
  SPEAKER_01: There has to be alignment, right?
• 19:35
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, and so before I agree to anything, I just look at what my my the end goal is for me, whether that's my my 12-month goal, my five-year plan, you know, it has to be in alignment.
• 19:48
  SPEAKER_01: And if there's not some way that I can make that connection, it's not the event for me.
• 19:53
  SPEAKER_01: It's not the meeting for me, it's not the conversation for me.
• 19:56
  SPEAKER_01: And I'm okay with that, right?
• 19:58
  SPEAKER_01: I'm okay with that.
• 19:59
  SPEAKER_01: And I think we as business owners have to be okay with no.
• 20:03
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, we have to be okay with no because the no's are gonna get us to the yeses.
• 20:08
  SPEAKER_01: And we've we've taken, we've we've taken some no's, right?
• 20:12
  SPEAKER_01: So we have to be willing to say them again to get us to the yeses that we're looking for.
• 20:17
  SPEAKER_01: And so that's just where it is for me.
• 20:19
  SPEAKER_01: I'm just strategic.
• 20:20
  SPEAKER_01: I have this align framework pitch.
• 20:22
  SPEAKER_01: I'll share the acronym with you guys later, but it prepares me for any and everything that I trying to decide if it's for me.
• 20:31
  SPEAKER_01: Um, you know, if it does not align with the impact that I'm looking to make with the types of relationships that I'm looking to secure, then I won't, I won't go.
• 20:41
  SPEAKER_01: Um, and that was hard for me because I had to be everywhere.
• 20:44
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
• 20:44
  SPEAKER_02: Oh, I get it.
• 20:46
  SPEAKER_01: I I felt like I was missing out on something.
• 20:49
  SPEAKER_01: But when you really buckle down and get strategic about it, you realize that if you're going to everything, you're you are missing out on something, the something that you're really looking to do.
• 21:00
  SPEAKER_03: That's a bar right there.
• 21:01
  SPEAKER_03: That's that's a bar.
• 21:02
  SPEAKER_03: You know why?
• 21:03
  SPEAKER_03: Because I was gonna ask, you know, for for the businesses that are, you know, in the rooms and making the relationships and they're not necessarily seeing the conversion yet.
• 21:11
  SPEAKER_03: What would you tell?
• 21:12
  SPEAKER_03: And you just answered, right?
• 21:13
  SPEAKER_03: Like, there's there's opportunity cost from being in every place.
• 21:17
  SPEAKER_03: Yes.
• 21:17
  SPEAKER_03: Right.
• 21:18
  SPEAKER_03: And I I want to revert back to something you also said when you when you gave the commission speech.
• 21:23
  SPEAKER_03: Isn't it great?
• 21:24
  SPEAKER_03: Isn't it overwhelming to see God's promise lived out?
• 21:27
  SPEAKER_01: Oh my goodness.
• 21:28
  SPEAKER_03: Like, these are the things that motivated you 15 years ago, and now you're living it.
• 21:32
  SPEAKER_03: And at 15 years, your growth is getting ready to take off, right?
• 21:36
  SPEAKER_03: That's when that's when the magic really starts to happen.
• 21:39
  SPEAKER_03: Just living in that moment, right?
• 21:41
  SPEAKER_03: Like, that's when you start to see like God's promise is actually coming to pass.
• 21:45
  SPEAKER_03: So I just wanted to share that.
• 21:47
  SPEAKER_03: Thank you.
• 21:48
  SPEAKER_03: Thank you.
• 21:49
  SPEAKER_04: Well received.
• 21:50
  SPEAKER_04: And so uh, Dr.
• 21:51
  SPEAKER_04: Warren, you just recently started a series on on broadcast TV, you know, and I know that again, you're You're all over the place, but you're able now to share your knowledge and give out tips on a larger scale.
• 22:08
  SPEAKER_04: Tell us about some of that work and where you're able to talk about what business owners need to do or what people need to do to be financially ready.
• 22:17
  SPEAKER_01: Yes.
• 22:18
  SPEAKER_01: So the segment is called the wealth effect that you're referring to, and it airs on Saturday mornings.
• 22:25
  SPEAKER_01: And basically it's an opportunity for people to highlight or for us to highlight whether it's an individual, a platformer, or an organization and exactly what they're doing in the community and what their wealth effect is, right?
• 22:39
  SPEAKER_01: Because everyone has a ripple that they're making in the world, but sometimes it's not necessarily noticed.
• 22:44
  SPEAKER_01: And so I think it's extremely important to highlight those individuals or groups or organizations that are doing the work in the community and showing the different ways that we can make those connections to the wealth effect in our communities.
• 22:58
  SPEAKER_01: Because, you know, I mentioned before, you mentioned before that my mission is redefining financial freedom.
• 23:03
  SPEAKER_01: So it's not always going to look like what traditions have taught us, right?
• 23:07
  SPEAKER_01: So I bring in, you know, different members of the community from unconventional spaces showing the work that they're doing in the communities and how it aligns with the wealth effect and the impact that we're looking to make.
• 23:20
  SPEAKER_01: And so I really, I'm really excited about that.
• 23:23
  SPEAKER_01: You know, um, we have people, as I mentioned, from all different walks of life and just and even opening up the space to some of the challenges that community members and citizens are facing on a day-to-day basis and giving them a floor to voice that opinion or voice those challenges so that we can let them know this is a safe space, but there's also answers and resources and other people that relate to some of those challenges as well.
• 23:47
  SPEAKER_03: Very nice.
• 23:47
  SPEAKER_03: Can you can you talk a little bit more about that in terms of what are some of the bigger financial blind spots that you keep seeing, right?
• 23:54
  SPEAKER_03: Like you do to that.
• 23:55
  SPEAKER_03: Um, but particularly for businesses in French Rodgers County who right now there's so many things just kind of tugging at them, right?
• 24:01
  SPEAKER_03: Yes.
• 24:01
  SPEAKER_03: So what what are some of those blind spots that you're seeing?
• 24:04
  SPEAKER_01: Well, believe it or not, um the the for our business owners, the biggest challenge that I see is really just understanding their personal finances.
• 24:14
  SPEAKER_02: Okay.
• 24:15
  SPEAKER_02: Another bar.
• 24:16
  SPEAKER_01: Yes, because you can't, when you become an entrepreneur, there's really no separation.
• 24:21
  SPEAKER_01: Now you have, let me be clear.
• 24:22
  SPEAKER_01: So when I say that, I have to, as the money chick, it's my due diligence to to clarify there.
• 24:29
  SPEAKER_01: On paper, there has to be a distinction, right?
• 24:31
  SPEAKER_01: You can't commingle funds.
• 24:33
  SPEAKER_01: But when from a strategic perspective, there cannot be a separation because you're responsible for both, right?
• 24:41
  SPEAKER_01: As an entrepreneur.
• 24:42
  SPEAKER_01: And so, in order for you to even plan for your business, you have to understand your personal finances and what obligations you have to meet on the personal side so that you can know how you're able to be profitable in your business, right?
• 24:57
  SPEAKER_01: People don't even think about paying themselves a salary.
• 25:00
  SPEAKER_01: They they start a business and they want to provide a service.
• 25:04
  SPEAKER_01: And when they begin to provide the service and generating revenue, they think that, okay, and you are generating revenue, but you're not profitable until you are actually taking home a salary.
• 25:14
  SPEAKER_01: So the biggest, I guess the first and very, very, I guess, um, vital step or or or tool that I think our business owners in the in the county should really focus on is just getting a coach that can allow them to see the difference between the two and really put together what I like to call that financial GPS.
• 25:40
  SPEAKER_01: When we think about travel, whether it's domestic or international, we rely on an itinerary, right?
• 25:45
  SPEAKER_01: And so for us to redefine financial freedom and starting here in the county, we've got to do things a little differently.
• 25:54
  SPEAKER_01: And so, you know, we are, I'm having conversations with, you know, hopefully, not hopefully, but um there's some conversations in place, potentially with human resources departments of state and local uh uh employees here in Prince George's County, with um Exelon, with uh, you know, WSSC water, and even on a global scale, but you know, we got to start here, but about even tapping into the total wellness side of things, because you have from uh, let's see, I believe I spoke with um the director and and I don't want to put statistics in companies, but I've spoken to some really large corporations here in our county who have uh employees that make an average of$250,000 but are fearful of retirement, who are not able to confidently say that they'll know that they'll be able to live through their retirement and not go back to work.
• 26:51
  SPEAKER_01: And so the challenges exist on a state, local, federal, national level, right?
• 26:57
  SPEAKER_01: And so if we can find a way to provide them with the tools, not just the information, but the activation, right?
• 27:04
  SPEAKER_01: My goal with the thin lit team build side of it is to be able to support human resources departments and divisions with educating their team members so that they can then enhance their total wellness packages so that their employees really understand what retirement's gonna look like for them.
• 27:21
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah.
• 27:22
  SPEAKER_01: Right.
• 27:22
  SPEAKER_01: So that's where we are with that.
• 27:24
  SPEAKER_04: No, and that that's very important, the retirement piece of it, because when I was working my my nine to five, and at that point, we were in so much debt, I was like, I think I'm gonna be working until I die.
• 27:38
  SPEAKER_04: I'll be working until I die.
• 27:40
  SPEAKER_04: And it was not until I started speaking to a financial literacy coach who helped me to understand.
• 27:49
  SPEAKER_04: And that's a big piece of it because a lot of times when um you don't know, you're afraid to say that you don't know, and especially being a business owner.
• 27:57
  SPEAKER_04: Like we encountered that a lot with people in business where they're afraid to say, I don't have that structure or I don't know how to structure my books.
• 28:08
  SPEAKER_04: And you said something so important that your personal credit also affects your business credit.
• 28:18
  SPEAKER_04: Absolutely.
• 28:18
  SPEAKER_04: I was just out at dinner the other day and someone was like, Oh, just just put it on your business credit card, you know, put the whole thing on your business credit card.
• 28:26
  SPEAKER_04: I'm like, Well, that doesn't mean it's free.
• 28:28
  SPEAKER_04: Like, I still gotta pay for it.
• 28:30
  SPEAKER_04: Exactly.
• 28:31
  SPEAKER_01: That's still associated with something here, you know?
• 28:34
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, and so it's so important that we begin to bust those myths that have been the misinformation that has been spread about entrepreneurship and what it means to be a business owner when it comes to the finances piece of it.
• 28:49
  SPEAKER_04: So I love the work that you're doing.
• 28:50
  SPEAKER_01: Thank you.
• 28:51
  SPEAKER_01: Thank you so much.
• 28:52
  SPEAKER_03: No, I'm glad you um I'm glad we're having this conversation because I think um as you get, as you grow your company, right?
• 29:01
  SPEAKER_03: Um, there's three legs, we call it three legs of the stool, right?
• 29:05
  SPEAKER_03: Where you have to be thinking about all the time as business owners.
• 29:08
  SPEAKER_03: Your personal is very important to your point, Rose.
• 29:12
  SPEAKER_03: Um the financial piece, which is attached to your personal, yeah, right.
• 29:16
  SPEAKER_03: But it's also a different leg, yeah.
• 29:19
  SPEAKER_03: Because now you have all of these different assets that you have to think about and then your business readiness.
• 29:23
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 29:24
  SPEAKER_03: So all three of those are kind of moving forward.
• 29:27
  SPEAKER_03: Um, what you are able to do in terms of accessing uh resources and capital and all of these different things, it it just takes you that much further, right?
• 29:36
  SPEAKER_03: So I've really liked the fact that you're attacking the personal side because as an entrepreneur, the one part that people don't talk about is you're so busy running your business.
• 29:45
  SPEAKER_01: Mm-hmm.
• 29:46
  SPEAKER_03: Sometimes you're not even thinking about the personal because you're into the business.
• 29:49
  SPEAKER_01: And then when you're ready to go and pursue capital to take you to that next level, right, to maybe support a government contract that you were just awarded, right?
• 29:59
  SPEAKER_01: And you realize that you're not ready for it because your personal finances aren't in order.
• 30:05
  SPEAKER_01: And so, yeah, a lot of a lot of the biggest challenge that many entrepreneurs speak to is access to capital, right?
• 30:14
  SPEAKER_01: But the problem that really exists is the capital readiness.
• 30:18
  SPEAKER_02: Capital readiness.
• 30:25
  SPEAKER_04: Well, so let's speak to that regarding core DMV and you know what it looked like for you five years ago.
• 30:32
  SPEAKER_04: And here you are now, five years later, you're accessing those procurement opportunities and able to build a team.
• 30:39
  SPEAKER_04: Yes.
• 30:40
  SPEAKER_04: What did that financial readiness look like for you?
• 30:43
  SPEAKER_01: There was none.
• 30:45
  SPEAKER_01: Um, you know, it was I was the person that I just spoke about, where I started a business, I provided a service, I made money, and it was the same as me making money, right?
• 30:55
  SPEAKER_01: It wasn't the business making money.
• 30:57
  SPEAKER_01: We were one in the same, if you will.
• 30:59
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, but as I continued to, you know, advance my executive leadership knowledge to take on programs like, again, FSE versus level up.
• 31:10
  SPEAKER_01: That was my first introduction to cash flow and you know, really understanding how to look at my books, how to, you know, manage my cash flow, how to uh even understand what the profit and loss statement meant, right?
• 31:22
  SPEAKER_01: Because for me, it was you make you make this amount, these are your expenses, that's your profit or your loss, right?
• 31:28
  SPEAKER_01: But there was so many other components to that.
• 31:30
  SPEAKER_01: So, you know, before it, that's what it was.
• 31:33
  SPEAKER_01: Uh it was very cut and dry, and I didn't realize that there was so much more that I needed to learn.
• 31:39
  SPEAKER_01: And so FSE First, um, uh Chamber of Commerce, um, even um NMSDC, you know, just multiple, I was always on the hunt for what could help me be better.
• 31:52
  SPEAKER_01: I've always wanted to be better.
• 31:55
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, even when I started DW Tax Prep, I was saying we for, you know, almost it'll be 15 years now.
• 32:02
  SPEAKER_01: And, you know, I just started bringing in team members, but I've always seen bigger, but I knew that I didn't always have what was needed to advance the business, to grow the business, but I was always willing to learn.
• 32:16
  SPEAKER_01: So I put myself in an environment where I could always gain the tools, the resources, and skills to grow and you know, grow my knowledge so that I could be better in my business.
• 32:26
  SPEAKER_03: And and you saying that, it's it's from what I'm hearing, is the way that you scaled is to be connected.
• 32:31
  SPEAKER_01: Absolutely.
• 32:32
  SPEAKER_01: Connection.
• 32:33
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, and and and I have to say, and Rose, I hope you agree, but this has been a whole thesis for us.
• 32:38
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 32:39
  SPEAKER_03: Um just just some things that just needed to be said.
• 32:42
  SPEAKER_03: And very, very happy that you're sharing your your journey and experience with the businesses of Prince Roach County and with us.
• 32:48
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
• 32:49
  SPEAKER_03: Um, because, you know, again, there there are, even if you hear the lesson, you gotta hear it again.
• 32:54
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
• 32:54
  SPEAKER_03: Right.
• 32:54
  SPEAKER_03: You gotta, it has to be reinforced.
• 32:56
  SPEAKER_02: That's right.
• 32:56
  SPEAKER_03: And I'm just very, very proud of what you're doing.
• 32:58
  SPEAKER_03: I'm also very happy that you said that you structure your time and you exchamber events.
• 33:02
  SPEAKER_03: So that means we're just looking like Absolutely.
• 33:05
  SPEAKER_01: I don't play about my chamber events.
• 33:09
  SPEAKER_01: I'm gonna be there.
• 33:10
  SPEAKER_01: If you don't know anything else about Darvinci, and if I'm not there, it's with without, you know, you know, I've I've got another obligation, but very rarely am I not there because I know the value, I know the the intention, the passion behind the work that the chamber does and the impact is proven in the growth in my business.
• 33:29
  SPEAKER_01: So absolutely for sure.
• 33:31
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, and Alex, I think she named every resource that is available in the county.
• 33:35
  SPEAKER_04: She talked about FSC more.
• 33:37
  SPEAKER_04: She talked about the top 100 women.
• 33:41
  SPEAKER_04: Listen, that's what you got to do.
• 33:42
  SPEAKER_04: Take advantage of all of those resources if they are aligned with where you're going.
• 33:47
  SPEAKER_01: So you can just the one, and I and forgive me if I'm if I'm jumping ahead of myself.
• 33:52
  SPEAKER_01: I know the one thing that we talked about um discussing tonight was convening.
• 33:57
  SPEAKER_01: And um, you know, one of the other major, major barriers that people don't realize, well, that that entrepreneurs speak to, but don't realize that there is a resource available to them.
• 34:11
  SPEAKER_01: And we spoke a little bit about earlier is access to human capital in different ways.
• 34:15
  SPEAKER_01: Yes.
• 34:16
  SPEAKER_01: Right?
• 34:16
  SPEAKER_02: Yes.
• 34:17
  SPEAKER_01: So, and it gives you, you are, so before I jump ahead of myself, I should probably speak on what they are, right?
• 34:23
  SPEAKER_01: So you have workforce development programs, right, that create a space, whether it's uh from the space of apprenticeship, where you know, that there's an opportunity to gain a skill and you know, while you're uh learning or whatever, there that's one opportunity.
• 34:40
  SPEAKER_01: But then they also have workforce development where they train and develop you into a skill, partnerships with uh entrepreneur, uh small business organizations where they can then supplement that salary for you to be able to provide uh an opportunity to someone in the workforce, whether it's a youth um employee, intern, or a resident of the community.
• 35:04
  SPEAKER_01: And I have taken advantage of all three of them.
• 35:08
  SPEAKER_01: I currently work closely with council member boroughs student jobs program, and I've brought in youth interns through their program.
• 35:18
  SPEAKER_01: I work with advanced internship programs, I've gotten interns through their program that focus in finance.
• 35:25
  SPEAKER_01: So there's different structured programs where you can tailor it to the specific needs of your organization.
• 35:32
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, but things that we don't think about, like the busy work tasks that we can offload, right?
• 35:38
  SPEAKER_01: That we spend so much time doing when we are really at a place of expansion and growth, right?
• 35:44
  SPEAKER_01: But focusing on those busy work tasks takes us away from it, right?
• 35:48
  SPEAKER_01: And so those are tools that I feel that a lot of entrepreneurs overlook, but that can be tremendously beneficial not only to the growth of their business, but the impact that they're making in the workforce, which is ultimately contributing to our economic growth in the community.
• 36:05
  SPEAKER_01: So I highly encourage connection to workforce development programs.
• 36:12
  SPEAKER_01: Employee DB, as we know, is another huge partner.
• 36:16
  SPEAKER_01: I'm so grateful for the chamber because that was another connection that was made specifically from the chamber, and we've got about five different projects that we're working on right now.
• 36:25
  SPEAKER_01: So but you know, definitely human capital is one of the biggest barriers in entrepreneurship, but it doesn't have to be.
• 36:35
  SPEAKER_01: Um, so I encourage our county residents to tap into resources like employee DMB, uh, the Jones House Student Job Program, they're actually getting ready to launch their summer version of the program as well.
• 36:48
  SPEAKER_01: Um, but these different resources make it so that we are able to take take advantage of some of the or take off of our plate some of the work that has been taking us away from the impact that we could be making, but also allowing us to contribute to the next generation of the workforce as well.
• 37:06
  SPEAKER_03: I want to tie something in.
• 37:08
  SPEAKER_03: Um you mentioned human capital, and then earlier you said capital readiness, right?
• 37:13
  SPEAKER_03: And for most businesses that are looking to um bring in capital, the the four C's that we call them or four capitals that every business has to think about are human capital, structural capital, social capital, right, and customer capital.
• 37:31
  SPEAKER_02: Yes.
• 37:31
  SPEAKER_03: And what that means is at those levels, and I named them that way because that's the hierarchy, human capital is the most valued component when you think about capital.
• 37:41
  SPEAKER_02: Yes.
• 37:41
  SPEAKER_03: It also helps when you think about what type of uh talent you have, management style, if you bring it on a manager or a number two, that is also how you can help to de-risk the business, which is how institutions look at your company.
• 37:55
  SPEAKER_02: Absolutely.
• 37:56
  SPEAKER_03: Structural capital is how's that how does that human capital now operate the business?
• 38:00
  SPEAKER_03: What are your what is that?
• 38:01
  SPEAKER_03: SOPs, right?
• 38:02
  SPEAKER_03: SOPs, SOPs, standard operating procedures.
• 38:06
  SPEAKER_03: So how does the human capital efficiently operate the standard operating capital for to produce the social capital of the clients that I work with?
• 38:15
  SPEAKER_03: Yes, what are they saying?
• 38:16
  SPEAKER_03: What's the message?
• 38:17
  SPEAKER_03: What's the brand, right?
• 38:18
  SPEAKER_01: That's the hierarchy right there.
• 38:20
  SPEAKER_01: Absolutely.
• 38:21
  SPEAKER_03: And then the customer capital is who are you providing the service to?
• 38:24
  SPEAKER_03: But the biggest one is the human capital.
• 38:27
  SPEAKER_03: I'm glad you touched on that because if you can win your time back and create duplication, your business will scale.
• 38:34
  SPEAKER_01: Absolutely.
• 38:35
  SPEAKER_01: Sam Walton did it, the founder of Coca-Cola did it, right?
• 38:38
  SPEAKER_01: They created a system of duplication.
• 38:40
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
• 38:41
  SPEAKER_01: They didn't have to be the greatest, even though I don't, I'm not a soda drinker anymore, but I say cocaine.
• 38:46
  SPEAKER_01: No, I'm just kidding.
• 38:47
  SPEAKER_01: I'm kidding.
• 38:50
  SPEAKER_01: No, no, no, I'm just kidding.
• 38:51
  SPEAKER_01: But, you know, the concept was understood that, you know, I'd rather have 50% of a hundred than 100% of one.
• 39:00
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
• 39:01
  SPEAKER_03: Absolutely.
• 39:01
  SPEAKER_01: Right.
• 39:02
  SPEAKER_01: Meaning that if I can plant my seed or portion, show someone else how to plant a seed in 50 other places, then I've thus made an impact overall versus me just making the impact where I can only plant the seed.
• 39:15
  SPEAKER_01: Right.
• 39:16
  SPEAKER_01: And so, you know, um, yeah, I mean, I I completely agree, you know, and I feel that um, you know, we are at a place where, well, I should say I'm grateful for the space that the chamber has created, this platform as well.
• 39:32
  SPEAKER_01: This is this platform itself is a power move.
• 39:35
  SPEAKER_01: So you guys chose the right name.
• 39:37
  SPEAKER_01: It's very appropriate uh because you are highlighting what needs to be heard, the conversations that need to be spoken about.
• 39:44
  SPEAKER_01: And um, I'm honored to be on the platform, to be completely honest.
• 39:48
  SPEAKER_04: Well, let's let's segue right into it.
• 39:51
  SPEAKER_04: This is this is my favorite part of the conversation because we have a segment called Howard Moved.
• 39:57
  SPEAKER_04: Okay.
• 39:58
  SPEAKER_04: And that's where you talk about a defining moment in your building that changed the trajectory of where you were going, what you saw, what your vision was that let you know, listen, girl, I was thinking too small.
• 40:13
  SPEAKER_04: Look where I am.
• 40:15
  SPEAKER_04: Tell us about that moment.
• 40:16
  SPEAKER_04: Wow.
• 40:17
  SPEAKER_01: Okay.
• 40:17
  SPEAKER_01: That moment was recent.
• 40:19
  SPEAKER_01: It was a defining moment, and it was when I uh discovered and joined forces with my new partner, um, Shirley Lou, um, who is Forbes recognized 50 under 50 for thought leadership in finance.
• 40:36
  SPEAKER_01: Um, she has an Amazon bestseller book speaking on some of the tools that we actually educate on, index products, but also has been voted one of the fastest growing companies by Washington Business Journal for four consecutive years in a row.
• 40:50
  SPEAKER_02: Very nice.
• 40:51
  SPEAKER_01: And um, and so she's based out of McLean, but the work that she's doing is totally in alignment with what I'm doing.
• 40:59
  SPEAKER_01: And we were able to combine our missions, our visions to create such a larger scale project.
• 41:07
  SPEAKER_01: And so now what I'm looking to do is duplicate her efforts in Prince George's County, in the state of Maryland, and beyond, so that we can take the information, combine it with application, but partnering, joining forces with someone who is like-minded, who's already doing the work, who understands the impact that can be made and allow you to still build out what your vision is in the guise of what they're doing, but not looking to recreate it has been just truly phenomenal for me.
• 41:39
  SPEAKER_01: And this woman is a multimillionaire by way of leading others to financial freedom.
• 41:45
  SPEAKER_01: And so for me, that was defining because it allowed me to see one, that there was value in what I had to offer for her to want to partner with me with such, you know, prestigious accolades and what she's already done done.
• 42:00
  SPEAKER_01: And since then, we have been able to, I mean, this has just been exponential for me in terms of scaling this project because I now have agents joining my team on a weekly basis from here to the state of California because they want to join in this crusade.
• 42:20
  SPEAKER_01: Um, and so, you know, for me, that was the defining moment being able to say I am in a place where I'm actually going to lead people to financial freedom.
• 42:30
  SPEAKER_02: Wow.
• 42:30
  SPEAKER_01: That's what it was about for me.
• 42:32
  SPEAKER_01: And I finally feel that that's the direction that I'm headed in.
• 42:37
  SPEAKER_01: And so that's all I could ask for, truly.
• 42:41
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, that that's amazing.
• 42:43
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, collaboration, partnership, our move.
• 42:46
  SPEAKER_04: Yes, yes, that's amazing.
• 42:48
  SPEAKER_04: So, what is uh what is the name of her?
• 42:51
  SPEAKER_01: Oh, Shirley Lewin Associates.
• 42:53
  SPEAKER_04: Shirley Lewin Associates.
• 42:54
  SPEAKER_04: I love it, I love it.
• 42:56
  SPEAKER_01: Go check that book out.
• 42:57
  SPEAKER_01: It's called IUL ASAP.
• 42:59
  SPEAKER_01: IULs are are some of the tools that we educate people on because you know, I come from Texas.
• 43:06
  SPEAKER_01: So in addition to retirement solutions and investment products, I want to make sure that we're educating people on tax advantage solutions as well.
• 43:14
  unknown: Yeah.
• 43:15
  SPEAKER_04: And I'll make sure I link all of that so you guys can find it easily.
• 43:19
  SPEAKER_04: Awesome.
• 43:19
  SPEAKER_04: Awesome.
• 43:20
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah.
• 43:21
  SPEAKER_03: So, you know, again, Dr.
• 43:22
  SPEAKER_03: Moore, I just want to say thank you.
• 43:23
  SPEAKER_03: I want to echo what Rose said.
• 43:25
  SPEAKER_03: You know, I've been in this role for three and a half years, and the first time we met, I just have seen you continue to elevate and grow the things that you're doing in our community.
• 43:34
  SPEAKER_03: I just again want to show homage and thank you for all that you do.
• 43:37
  SPEAKER_03: You come to the Coffee Connections, you're at the window Wednesdays, right?
• 43:41
  SPEAKER_03: Like you're providing information, coming to the galas.
• 43:43
  SPEAKER_03: Like we just really appreciate.
• 43:45
  SPEAKER_03: But that's what it's going to take, right?
• 43:46
  SPEAKER_03: It takes business owners who are invested in the community, but also working their business at a high level so that you can return that the economic cycle.
• 43:55
  SPEAKER_03: And you understand it, right?
• 43:57
  SPEAKER_03: Like you said, it's but hiring that brings money back.
• 44:00
  SPEAKER_03: And you're invested in the programs and the programs are working for you.
• 44:03
  SPEAKER_02: Yes.
• 44:04
  SPEAKER_03: And so I want to just again say thank you, but also don't forget to share the positive, right?
• 44:10
  SPEAKER_03: And we're we're in a time right now where, you know, you cut on the news, it's always something.
• 44:15
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
• 44:15
  SPEAKER_03: Um, but we don't we have more positive things happening than than the bad, right?
• 44:20
  SPEAKER_03: Or the not so good.
• 44:21
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and so we just have to continue to do it, and it's gonna be the leadership of our small business community and medium-sized business community that drives education, that drives policy, that really drives the economy.
• 44:32
  SPEAKER_03: Absolutely.
• 44:32
  SPEAKER_03: Um, I thank you again.
• 44:34
  SPEAKER_01: Absolutely, and thank you, and thank you both for inviting me, and thank you for seeing us in the work that we're doing here.
• 44:39
  SPEAKER_01: It's can it's to be continued for sure.
• 44:42
  SPEAKER_04: Yes, I love it.
• 44:43
  SPEAKER_04: I love it.
• 44:44
  SPEAKER_04: And guys, I don't want y'all to think that, although we would love to have you join the chamber, of course.
• 44:50
  SPEAKER_04: Join the chamber.
• 44:51
  SPEAKER_01: Please join the chamber.
• 44:53
  SPEAKER_04: However, you know, you have to find the organization that is right for you, that is aligned with where you're going.
• 45:03
  SPEAKER_04: So make sure that you are finding an organization that is going to that you're gonna engage in.
• 45:09
  SPEAKER_04: It's not enough to just say you're a member.
• 45:11
  SPEAKER_04: That's right.
• 45:12
  SPEAKER_04: You must engage, you must show up.
• 45:14
  SPEAKER_02: That's right.
• 45:15
  SPEAKER_04: And so, Dr.
• 45:15
  SPEAKER_04: Warren, with that, is there anything that you have coming up that you want to share before we wrap up?
• 45:21
  SPEAKER_01: Oh, goodness.
• 45:22
  SPEAKER_01: Um, so uh I think our next major um, we have our major uh convention coming up in July.
• 45:32
  SPEAKER_01: That's in Las Vegas.
• 45:33
  SPEAKER_01: Um, and we're talking about people from all over the country, top, top financial gurus that are really just coming together to make sure that no one is left behind.
• 45:44
  SPEAKER_01: That has been the mission this year.
• 45:45
  SPEAKER_01: And so if anyone is interested in coming out to Vegas, I can make sure that I get you access as my personal guest.
• 45:51
  SPEAKER_03: Nice.
• 45:52
  SPEAKER_03: And does that include flight and hotel?
• 45:54
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, we're not there yet.
• 45:56
  SPEAKER_03: You know, those fuel prices.
• 45:59
  SPEAKER_01: We're not there yet.
• 46:01
  SPEAKER_01: Wishful thinking.
• 46:04
  SPEAKER_01: We welcome sponsors.
• 46:08
  SPEAKER_01: But I will at least ensure that you have a seat in the in the room.
• 46:11
  SPEAKER_03: Love it.
• 46:12
  SPEAKER_03: I love it.
• 46:12
  SPEAKER_03: I love it.
• 46:13
  SPEAKER_04: And where can folks connect with you on social media and find you online?
• 46:16
  SPEAKER_01: Yes, absolutely.
• 46:17
  SPEAKER_01: I am on all platforms at Darbencia.
• 46:20
  SPEAKER_01: I am the only one, so you shouldn't have problems there or at Core DB, all social media platforms.
• 46:26
  SPEAKER_04: Awesome.
• 46:27
  SPEAKER_04: Well, again, thank you so much for being on PowerMoves.
• 46:30
  SPEAKER_04: And I know we'll be seeing you soon.
• 46:32
  SPEAKER_04: Yes.
• 46:33
  SPEAKER_04: Thank you guys for having me.
• 46:34
  SPEAKER_03: Awesome.
• 46:35
  SPEAKER_03: So we we got some things happening.
• 46:37
  SPEAKER_03: We have some things happening.
• 46:38
  SPEAKER_03: So early June.
• 46:40
  SPEAKER_03: Well, actually, let's talk about this.
• 46:41
  SPEAKER_03: Every first Tuesday of the month of the month, what happens?
• 46:45
  SPEAKER_03: Coffee connections.
• 46:46
  SPEAKER_03: That's a staple.
• 46:47
  SPEAKER_03: You gotta be there.
• 46:48
  SPEAKER_03: Um, I think now that we're going into June, uh, it's gonna be warmer outside, right?
• 46:54
  SPEAKER_03: People a little bit more open to just connecting and networking.
• 46:57
  SPEAKER_03: We're gonna be right at Buoy.
• 46:59
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and so I'm very, very excited about the meeting space that we're going back to.
• 47:02
  SPEAKER_03: It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful location.
• 47:05
  SPEAKER_03: Uh, more details to come, but I really, really am excited about it.
• 47:09
  SPEAKER_03: The very next week we have a candidates forum.
• 47:13
  SPEAKER_03: Uh, and we're partnering to more convenient for results.
• 47:16
  SPEAKER_02: Yes.
• 47:16
  SPEAKER_03: We're partnering with the Central Maryland Chamber to host our candidates for various elected official offices, obviously the congressional race, want to focus on the uh at-large county council, and want to focus on our state's attorney race.
• 47:32
  SPEAKER_03: Uh, so I'm I'm excited to listen and learn from our candidates in terms of what their platform is.
• 47:37
  SPEAKER_03: It's the final push before the election.
• 47:39
  SPEAKER_03: So we want to make sure that we're doing it, and we're doing it in partnership with a regional chamber.
• 47:43
  SPEAKER_03: Uh, and then we have two weeks from there, we have our golf tournament, which is on a Monday, uh, June 22nd.
• 47:50
  SPEAKER_03: So it gives me more time to practice my swing.
• 47:53
  SPEAKER_03: He needs to be like, so I can look like I know what I'm doing.
• 47:58
  SPEAKER_03: Um, but yeah, so I'm very excited about that.
• 48:00
  SPEAKER_03: And then we have our state of the chamber, which is gonna be our formal report of the state of the chamber, and we're bringing in new board leadership.
• 48:09
  SPEAKER_03: So it's a very, very exciting time.
• 48:12
  SPEAKER_03: We're honoring members uh uh who have been a part of the chamber, who've helped the chamber get to the place where it needs to be.
• 48:19
  SPEAKER_03: So I want to see you there.
• 48:20
  SPEAKER_03: Um, it's gonna be a great June, very, very, very impactful and action-packed June.
• 48:26
  SPEAKER_04: And guys, for me, uh make sure you're following me on the Spotlight DMV.
• 48:31
  SPEAKER_04: I stay out in these streets.
• 48:34
  SPEAKER_04: I I'm at a whole lot of community events, and there are going to be so many coming up in June when we're talking about Juneteenth.
• 48:42
  unknown: Okay.
• 48:42
  SPEAKER_04: I already have five, six.
• 48:44
  SPEAKER_02: What's you doing for Juneteenth?
• 48:45
  SPEAKER_04: Well, so right now I am looking at partnering with uh real estate Randy for the generational wealth.
• 48:53
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, yeah.
• 48:54
  SPEAKER_04: So uh we're looking at that for uh he has a three-day event coming up the week of Juneteenth.
• 49:00
  SPEAKER_04: Yes.
• 49:00
  SPEAKER_04: And then that Sunday, which is Father's Day, there's going to be a culmination uh vendor event where you come and shop and and meet people and hear music and just be outside.
• 49:12
  SPEAKER_04: Um that's actually in Silver Spring.
• 49:14
  SPEAKER_04: Okay.
• 49:15
  SPEAKER_04: So that's gonna be a whole lot of fun.
• 49:16
  SPEAKER_03: How do we get them down to Prince George's County?
• 49:18
  SPEAKER_04: Well, we have a whole lot of stuff happening in P G in Prince George's County for Juneteenth, including at National Harbor.
• 49:25
  SPEAKER_04: That's one of my favorite ones.
• 49:26
  SPEAKER_04: Yes, honestly.
• 49:27
  SPEAKER_03: Yes, yes.
• 49:28
  SPEAKER_04: It is on June 19th at the harbor.
• 49:31
  SPEAKER_03: Okay, that's a Friday.
• 49:32
  SPEAKER_04: Is it a Friday?
• 49:33
  SPEAKER_03: It's a Friday.
• 49:34
  SPEAKER_03: It is a Friday.
• 49:35
  SPEAKER_03: Y'all gotta be ready.
• 49:36
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, man.
• 49:37
  SPEAKER_04: So be ready, yes.
• 49:39
  SPEAKER_03: Might call out.
• 49:43
  SPEAKER_04: So, guys, to everyone listening, you heard it here.
• 49:47
  SPEAKER_04: Sustainable growth, it's not accidental.
• 49:50
  SPEAKER_02: That's right.
• 49:51
  SPEAKER_04: It is coordinated.
• 49:52
  SPEAKER_04: Get in those rooms, bring your real perspective, know your numbers, and follow up.
• 49:59
  SPEAKER_04: That is how conversation is action.
• 50:02
  SPEAKER_03: Follow up.
• 50:03
  SPEAKER_03: That's right.
• 50:04
  SPEAKER_03: That's right.
• 50:05
  SPEAKER_03: The future belongs to connected ecosystems, not silos.
• 50:10
  SPEAKER_03: I'm Alexander Austin and I'm Rose Johnson.
• 50:13
  SPEAKER_03: Catches every other Tuesday at 3 p.m.
• 50:17
  SPEAKER_03: on Lit 106.