BizBlend

Tenacity in the Kitchen: Deborah Erickson’s Bold Journey with The Blind Kitchen

In this episode of BizBlend, we meet Debra Erickson—blind chef, entrepreneur, and founder of The Blind Kitchen. Debra shares how she transformed the challenges of vision loss into a purposeful business that empowers others with similar experiences. From adapting in culinary school to building a company rooted in accessibility and safety, Debra's story is one of tenacity, innovation, and deep purpose. Learn how she navigates the physical and systemic limitations of the world around her, uses creativity to solve real problems, and why her work is far from niche. This conversation is an essential listen for founders, teachers, and anyone redefining what’s possible.

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About the Guest:
Debra Erickson is the founder of The Blind Kitchen, a business dedicated to helping individuals with vision loss cook safely and independently. With over 100 adaptive tools and an ever-growing online resource library, her work addresses real-world challenges with practical, scalable solutions. She is also a passionate educator, speaker, and chef whose mission blends skill, accessibility, and empowerment.

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Key Takeaways:

• Vision loss didn’t stop Debra—it redefined her direction.

• Tenacity and small steps drive sustainable success.

• The Blind Kitchen empowers people with and without disabilities through adaptive tools and thoughtful systems.

• Niche doesn’t mean small—her impact reaches caregivers, seniors, and others with accessibility needs.

• True entrepreneurship blends purpose with problem-solving—and never stops learning.

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Connect with Debra Erickson:
Website: https://www.theblindkitchen.com 
Explore The Blind Kitchen Library for adaptive tips, recipes, and tools
Follow her journey and get inspired by stories of resilience and innovation.

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#podmatch #healthymind #healthymindbyavik #wellness #accessibility #blindkitchen #inclusiveentrepreneurship

Winning Teams Start With You: Leadership Lessons with Cory Geffre

In this episode of BizBlend, host Sana dives deep with healthcare executive and leadership strategist Cory Geffre to explore what truly drives team performance. Beyond results and output, Cory shares why the key to long-term success lies in developing people—not just managing them. With decades of experience transforming disengaged teams into high performers, Cory unpacks a practical framework for people-first leadership and opens up about the tough mindset shifts he had to make along the way. From burnout in healthcare to the post-COVID shift in workforce dynamics, this episode delivers straight talk and actionable insights for any leader.

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About the Guest:
Cory Geffre is a seasoned healthcare executive and leadership strategist with a strong track record of building high-performing, engaged teams. Known for his candid, results-focused yet people-centric approach, Cory blends operational insight with a deep commitment to authentic leadership. His work spans frontline teams to C-suite transformations.

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Key Takeaways:

• People before performance: Sustainable results come from developing individuals, not just measuring output.

• Authenticity wins trust: Teams respond to leaders who are honest about their own growth and failures.

• Rebuilding trust is hard—but possible: It takes time, humility, and total commitment.

• Tap into competitive spirit: People like to win—leaders should channel that to boost engagement.

• Post-COVID shift isn't generational, it's transformational: The modern workforce demands authenticity, flexibility, and real connection.

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Connect with Cory Geffre:
Website: www.corygeffre.com

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Balancing Leadership and Legacy: Paul H. Flowers Jr. on Mindset, Team Building & Entrepreneur Life

In this thought-provoking episode of BizBlend, host Sana sits down with Paul H. Flowers Jr., a seasoned entrepreneur and national sales director, for an unfiltered conversation on what it really takes to lead, grow, and sustain in the business world. Paul shares the mindset shifts that shaped his journey from direct sales to corporate leadership and reveals how personal development, communication mastery, and emotional intelligence set the foundation for lasting success. They also tackle tough truths around corporate toxicity, family balance, and what it really means to show up as a leader—at work and at home.

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About the Guest:
Paul H. Flowers Jr. is an entrepreneur, national sales director, public speaker, and mentor known for his strategic thinking and people-first leadership. From training over 1,000 professionals to leading large-scale sales teams, Paul brings a rare combination of tactical insight and soulful connection to business. He's also the host of his own show and is currently working on his next book and a course covering 12 core skill sets every professional should master.

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Key Takeaways:

• Mindset matters: Success begins with responsibility—for your input, your outcome, and your growth.

• People-first leadership isn’t a cliché; it's a business necessity. Relationships matter more than the bottom line.

• Balancing business and family requires clear communication and scheduling, especially in the early grind phase.

• Entrepreneurship demands full focus at the start. There is no shortcut to sustainability.

• Your personal brand carries more weight than your business brand—own your full name, own your story.

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Connect with Paul H. Flowers Jr.:
Website: https://linktr.ee/paulhflowersjr

Search “Paul H. Flowers Jr.” on Google or connect across platforms including YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.

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Book Marketing Basics for Self-Published Authors with Kirsten Marion

In this episode of BizBlend, host Sana sits down with Kirsten Marion—former CFO, author, and founder of a small publishing firm—to unpack the essentials of book marketing for self-published authors. From debunking bestseller myths to practical marketing strategies that don’t drain your wallet, Kirsten shares honest insights and lessons learned the hard way. This episode is a must-listen for first-time authors and entrepreneurs ready to publish without falling into expensive traps. Learn how to build your audience organically, use your voice effectively through podcasts and newsletters, and why your book cover is a business decision, not just a design.

About the Guest:
Kirsten Marion is a former CFO turned fiction author and publishing entrepreneur. After relocating internationally and transitioning from corporate leadership, she embraced her long-standing passion for writing. She now supports aspiring authors through her publishing work and blog, helping them navigate the often confusing self-publishing world with clarity and integrity.

Key Takeaways:

• Don’t get trapped in costly services that promise SEO or bestseller titles. Most are short-term wins.

• Start with five key tools: a blog, compelling book cover, newsletter, podcast appearances, and only then consider social media.

• Podcast interviews humanize your book and create trust.

• Building a reader community matters more than chasing metrics.

• Self-publishing no longer lacks credibility—quality is the differentiator.

Connect with Kirsten Marion:
Website & Blog: https://kirstenmarion.com/ 
She responds personally to all queries and will be sharing a new blog series for indie authors.

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Want to be a guest on BizBlend? DM on PM - Send me a message on PodMatch

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Storytelling, Strategy & Creative Leadership with Dan Fisher of Bottle Rocket Media

In this episode of BizBlend, we speak with Emmy Award-winning producer Dan Fisher, Principal at Bottle Rocket Media. Dan shares valuable insights into what makes storytelling effective in today’s fast-content world, how creative leadership can thrive in collaborative environments, and why both small startups and Fortune 500s must embrace agility. We explore how emotional resonance, audience awareness, and experimentation are key to delivering content that connects. Whether you're in branding, content, or media—this conversation will sharpen your storytelling lens.

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About the Guest
Dan Fisher is an Emmy Award-winning producer and creative leader at Bottle Rocket Media, a production company working with brands of all sizes—from grassroots startups to global corporations. With a career rooted in editing and storytelling, Dan brings decades of experience leading creative teams and helping clients craft video narratives that resonate. His past projects include work on The Oprah Winfrey Show and campaigns for Fortune 500 companies, and he is passionate about the intersection of emotion, media, and impact.

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Key Takeaways

• A compelling story starts with knowing your audience—not chasing trends.

• The fundamentals of storytelling remain unchanged; only the packaging evolves.

• Creative leadership requires fostering open, safe environments where all ideas are heard.

• Client feedback—even when off-base—can lead to better creative outcomes.

• Small brands have more room to experiment, but big brands must learn to be nimble too.

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Connect with Dan Fisher
Website: https://www.bottlerocketmedia.net/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livelyfisher 
Search “Bottle Rocket Media” across all major platforms for Dan’s latest work.

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Creator Economy Unplugged: Nate Fox on Virality, Burnout & Building for Impact

In this episode of BizBlend, host Sana dives deep with creative marketing leader and founder Nate Fox to dissect the buzz—and the reality—of the creator economy. From Google and Lyft to launching a viral gaming platform played by over 7 million users, Nate brings a sharp, no-fluff lens to what creators and brands are doing right—and wrong. Together, they explore the myths of virality, why so many creators burn out, and how niche communities are winning in a noisy digital world. You’ll also hear Nate’s take on the criticism that the creator economy is “just gig work in disguise,” and his thoughts on where real value and connection are headed next.

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About the Guest:
Nate Fox is a creative marketing leader with past roles at Google, Lyft, and Robinhood. He is the co-creator of Bad Cards, a social gaming platform that skyrocketed to 7 million+ users. Nate now builds creator tools that empower others to launch community-driven, no-code games. His work centers on human connection, meaningful content, and digital strategy that scales.

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Key Takeaways:

• Virality is not a strategy—connection is. Nate breaks down why focusing on resonance beats chasing algorithm spikes.

• Niche is the new scale. Creators who double down on their passions are building stronger communities than those chasing trends.

• The shift from entertainment to connection. Post-pandemic creators are moving from flashy content to deeper, community-centric work.

• Burnout is real. Creators who chase viral moments often flame out. Sustainable growth comes from consistency and aligned passion.

• Is the creator economy gig work? Nate offers a grounded perspective: it’s only exploitative if you treat it like a get-rich path instead of a long game of impact and alignment.

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Connect with Nate Fox:
Visit http://www.heynatefox.com/ to explore his resources, projects, and connect via LinkedIn or other platforms.

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Faith, Failure & the Power of Building Teams – with Steve Perry

In this episode of BizBlend, host Sana sits down with Steve Perry, a bold faith-driven entrepreneur and former Fortune 100 leader, to unpack the raw reality behind building teams that scale and navigating leadership with conviction. From launching a business at 15 to leaving a $900K job, Steve shares why entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone, what it really takes to lead with purpose, and how startup founders can avoid the most common hiring and accountability mistakes. Whether you’re struggling to build the right culture, misfiring on team performance, or leading from a place of burnout—this episode is your strategic reset.

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About the Guest:
Steve Perry is the founder of Hire The Well, a fast-scaling talent solutions firm helping growth-stage businesses build aligned, high-performance teams. With 17+ years of leadership experience at New York Life and a lifelong entrepreneurial mindset, Steve now blends bold faith with business acumen to help companies build, hire, and lead better.

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Key Takeaways:

• Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone—it requires calling, clarity, and conviction.

• Faith-driven leadership brings humility, boldness, and long-term vision.

• Accountability starts with clear expectations, not just motivation.

• Culture rooted in values like excellence, generosity, and growth outlasts pivots.

• The biggest hiring mistake? Choosing comfort (referrals) over capability.

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Connect with Steve Perry:

• Website & Free Resource: https://www.hirethewell.com/ 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/realsteveperry/

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#podmatch #healthymind #bizblend #leadership #entrepreneurship #faithdriven #startupculture #teamgrowth #accountability #hirebetter

Own Your Narrative, Scale with Purpose – with Lechon Kirb

In this episode of BizBlend, host Sana sits down with Lechon Kirb, a creative entrepreneur and speaker helping founders and creators master their narrative while building purpose-driven businesses. Lechon challenges traditional growth strategies and explains why your story isn’t just content—it’s currency. From a childhood experience that sparked his pursuit of freedom to developing the Impact Scaling Framework, Lechon shares how alignment between your values, audience, and systems is the real key to sustainable success.

About the Guest:
Lechon Kirb is a creative entrepreneur, author of A Culture of Equity, and founder of Market Theory. He’s supported over 30,000 entrepreneurs in reclaiming their intellectual property, clarifying their message, and scaling without losing soul. Lechon has collaborated with platforms like DigitalMarketer, ClickBank, and Thinkific to empower creators with strategy and integrity.

Key Takeaways:

• Your story shapes how the world sees you—own it or risk misalignment.

• You don’t need perfect branding to create value. Clarity > polish.

• True scalability comes from relationships and resonance, not just reach.

• Systems should support your life—not replace your purpose.

Connect with Lechon Kirb:
Search “Lechon Kirb” on LinkedIn or Instagram. He responds personally and builds relationships like a real human—because for him, connection is the master key to impact.

Want to be a guest on BizBlend? DM on PM – Send me a message on PodMatch

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