Podcasts Archives - JumpStart Inc.

Small Business, Big Conversations: Miesha Wilson of Juicy Vegan & NuLife Fitness Camp

Freddie Coffey — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 21:39:43 +0000

On episode fourteen of Small Business, Big Conversations, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Miesha Wilson—an entrepreneur, fitness expert, and plant-based food advocate whose journey is nothing short of inspiring.

Miesha’s story begins in the Glenville neighborhood, where she grew up as the eldest of eight siblings. From a young age, she took on responsibilities well beyond her years, often serving as a caretaker. Despite these challenges, Miesha was determined to break the cycle. She became the first in her family to earn a Master’s in Business Administration, proving that resilience and perseverance can lead to incredible accomplishments.

That determination fueled her next major milestone: the launch of NuLife Fitness Camp. Eighteen years ago, Miesha started what would become one of Ohio’s fastest-growing fitness camps, helping clients collectively lose over 100,000 pounds. But her vision didn’t stop there—she expanded NuLife’s reach through NuLife TV, an online streaming platform that brings fitness training to a nationwide audience. Her passion for helping people transform their health and confidence is evident in everything she does.

And if that wasn’t impressive enough, Miesha took on a new challenge in March 2022 with the launch of Juicy Vegan, a 100% plant-based comfort food carryout. She saw an opportunity to make healthy eating more enjoyable, and Juicy Vegan has since become a go-to spot for those looking to indulge in delicious, guilt-free meals.

Miesha’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and impact. Whether through fitness or food, she’s on a mission to help people feel their best—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the ability to turn life’s toughest moments into stepping stones for success.

I hope you find her journey as inspiring as I did. Watch this episode of Small Business, Big Conversations below to hear Miesha’s full story in her own words.

This season of Small Business, Big Conversations is brought to you in partnership with Erie Bank and Impressia Bank, both dedicated to helping small business owners access the capital and resources they need to grow their ventures.

The post Small Business, Big Conversations: Miesha Wilson of Juicy Vegan & NuLife Fitness Camp appeared first on JumpStart Inc..

Small Business, Big Conversations: Ray & Anasja Vernon of VARR Studios

Freddie Coffey — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 18:02:12 +0000

Ray and Anasja Vernon share two unyielding passions: their love for each other and an insatiable drive for crafting creative content.

With a space inside the world-famous The WORD Church, this visionary duo transformed their combined zeal into a beacon of multimedia content creation: VARR Studios.

Together, they’ve not just built a business but have sculpted a legacy that melds personal commitment with professional brilliance. This harmonious blend of life and work makes their journey all the more captivating, as they push boundaries, constantly innovate and pen a story that exemplifies the power of partnership in every dimension. From video production and photography to web design, VARR Studios stands as a testament to their dedication and talent.

Watch episode seven of Small Business, Big Conversations featuring Ray and Anasja below.

The post Small Business, Big Conversations: Ray & Anasja Vernon of VARR Studios appeared first on JumpStart Inc..

Small Business, Big Conversations: Emily Harpel of Art of Sucre

Freddie Coffey — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 14:05:37 +0000

In 2016, Emily Harpel was inspired to give a nostalgic childhood treat a chic upgrade. Emily secured all of the social media handles, ordered her first machine and Art of Sucre was born.

Emily launched @artofsucre as an events-based business, spinning out-of-the-box flavors of cotton candy at weddings, parties and concerts. In 2020, Emily knew that she either had to pivot her business or lose everything that she worked so hard to build from the ground up.

Fast forward to today, and Emily has completely re-imagined Art of Sucre into an E-Commerce powerhouse (with a MASSIVE social following) offering hand-spun cotton candy and the oh-so-viral cotton candy glitter bombs in a variety of colors and flavors (like Island Punch, Peach Bellini and Strawberry Bubble Gum… just to name a few).

Watch episode five of Small Business, Big Conversations featuring Emily Harpel of Art of Sucre below.

The post Small Business, Big Conversations: Emily Harpel of Art of Sucre appeared first on JumpStart Inc..

Small Business, Big Conversations: Vic Searcy of Sauce the City

Freddie Coffey — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 17:20:09 +0000

Cleveland has no shortage of claims to fame, but Vic Searcy’s Chicken Sandwich stands out even in a city of bests.

With locations in University Heights, Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse and Cleveland Browns Stadium, you’d think Sauce the City has been around for decades. On the contrary, Chef Vic launched (almost by accident) in 2018 when he won a location in the Ohio City Gallery.

At the time, Searcy was earning advanced degrees in organizational psychology and directing social services activities for a rehabilitation center. But his passion for cooking drove his destiny and the signature hot sauces he was concocting at Kent State sealed his fate.

Only five short years from launch, Chef Vic now has many claims to fame of his own, from selling 2,500 hot chicken sandwiches to MGK for peckish Ohio City residents to feeding thousands of hungry Cleveland sports fans at three stadium locations. It’s no wonder Sauce the City was voted Ohio’s #1 Chicken Sandwich.

Watch episode four of Small Business, Big Conversations featuring Vic Searcy of Sauce the City below.

Hosted by JumpStart’s resident digital marketing expert (and recovering small business owner) Freddie Coffey, Small Business, Big Conversations spotlights ambitious entrepreneurs as they discuss their struggles, successes and life lessons that are sure to motivate and inspire anyone who wants to start or grow their own business.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned small business owner looking for new ideas, this show is for you. Tune in for a new episode each month to hear the stories, experiences, and invaluable insights of people just like you, working to start and grow their small businesses here in Ohio and beyond.

Subscribe to the show today on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible or iHeartRadio.

The post Small Business, Big Conversations: Vic Searcy of Sauce the City appeared first on JumpStart Inc..

Small Business, Big Conversations: Sharia Livingston of Living Rich

Freddie Coffey — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 21:11:26 +0000

How do you prioritize a life on your own terms AND build a legacy of success for your family? Do what you love. Sharia Livingston has always dreamed of owning her own clothing business, but as a young mother, she opted for the safe bet and pursued a career in nursing. Her obsession with high-quality fashion never dulled and when her daughter was old enough to share her dreams, the mother-daughter duo launched their own brand, Living Rich, in 2015. Sharia Livingston and Sha’Miah Richardson are promoting a fashion empire, a vibe and a reminder to take a bet on yourself.

A combination of their last names, Living Rich is a lifestyle streetwear brand boasting comfort, quality and style. They offer unique unisex pieces that promote confidence and individuality. The business was launched as an online retailer but quickly evolved to a pop-up and ultimately a brick-and-mortar. Today, Sharia and Sha’Miah are taking Cleveland’s fashion scene by storm.

Watch episode three of Small Business, Big Conversations featuring Sharia Livingston of Living Rich below.

Subscribe to the show today on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible or iHeartRadio.

The post Small Business, Big Conversations: Sharia Livingston of Living Rich appeared first on JumpStart Inc..

Small Business, Big Conversations: DaRon Henderson of LO-KEY Entertainment

Freddie Coffey — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 14:25:37 +0000

When DaRon Henderson was a sophomore in high school, he was approached by a friend about the possibility of playing music at an upcoming junior high dance. He owned a pair of speakers and a set of turntables, so they decided to give it a shot to see what they could pull off.

They brought the proverbial schoolhouse down, and from there, more opportunities came rolling in. First $20, then an offer for $40, and by the end of the year the duo had worked their way up to $75 a gig and realized they had a full-fledged business.

More than 30 years later, LO-KEY Entertainment is one of Northeast Ohio’s elite and most reliable Entertainment Companies offering DJ Service, Uplighting, Photo Booths, Promotional Printing and and more.

LO-KEY Entertainment DJ’s have performed all over the country alongside famous entertainers such as Will.I.Am, Kevin Hart, Rickey Smiley, Russell Simmons, Deray Davis, D.L. Hughley and Outkast to name a few.

Watch the debut episode of Small Business, Big Conversations featuring DaRon Henderson of LO-KEY Entertainment below.

Subscribe to the show today on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible or iHeartRadio.

The post Small Business, Big Conversations: DaRon Henderson of LO-KEY Entertainment appeared first on JumpStart Inc..