
Build Black Show | Business Growth & EntrepreneurshipVerified
Swan Simpson·23 episodes·Weekly
From the show
The Build Black Show is a weekly business and culture podcast focused on ownership, wealth creation, and building lasting legacies. Hosted by Coach Swan Simpson and featuring founders, creators, community leaders, and industry experts, each episode delivers real-world conversations about business growth, economic empowerment, media ownership, leadership, and the strategies needed to create generational impact.
From startup success stories and hard-earned business lessons to discussions on culture, innovation, and self-reliance, The Build Black Show highlights the people who are building businesses, creating opportunities, and shaping the future. Whether you're an entrepreneur, aspiring business owner, or someone committed to building something meaningful, you'll find practical insights, inspiration, and actionable strategies designed to help you own more, build more, and create lasting success.
Own Everything.
Episodes
Latest Episode
September 1, 2026 · 36m
How do you turn a podcast into a business and make money on YouTube? Phil Byrd, Orlando's “Podcast Doctor,” shares how entrepreneurs can turn podcast ideas into real shows, build an audience, monetize content, and use podcasting to grow their businesses. Phil also opens up about his journey with Stage 5 kidney failure, resilience, purpose, and his search for a living kidney donor. Thank you for following and commenting. Support this podcast at — Advertising Inquiries: Privacy & Opt-Out:
More Episodes
Aug 25 · 37m
What does it take to keep building when life forces you to become a different version of yourself?On this episode of The Build Black Show, we sit down with Dora Chambers, international speaker, transformational coach, business advisor, entrepreneur, and a powerful voice for personal and professional transformation.Dora has built a career helping people move beyond limitations, recognize their potential, and turn life experience into purpose. Her journey has also placed her alongside major entrepreneurial brands, including work connected to Kandi Burruss' Kandi Koated/Bedroom Kandi ecosystem, service with Woman Who CAN, and a featured appearance on the Tubi series Sister Vibes.But this conversation is bigger than titles and accomplishments.Dora shares lessons about reinvention, resilience, leadership, entrepreneurship, overcoming adversity, personal growth, and building something that creates impact beyond you.If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, professional, or simply standing at a crossroads wondering what your next chapter looks like, this episode is a reminder that your setbacks don't have to be the end of your story—they can become part of your blueprint.In this conversation:Turning adversity into purposeReinventing yourself personally and professionallyDeveloping the mindset to keep moving forwardBuilding relationships and positioning yourself for bigger opportunitiesLeadership and transformational growthCreating impact and legacyWhat entrepreneurs can learn from life's hardest seasonsThis is The Build Black Show—real stories, real strategies and real blueprints for building success. No gatekeeping.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/build-black/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Aug 18 · 34m
Want to Start a Business? Why Franchising Could Be the Smarter MoveStarting a business doesn't always mean starting from zero.Jon Smith Subs CEO Robert Cvetkovski and franchisee Daniel Nunn join The Build Black Show to break down how franchising can create a powerful pathway to start-up success, entrepreneurship, business ownership, and sustainable growth.Robert explains why he wants to create more franchise ownership opportunities for Black entrepreneurs, while Daniel shares the franchisee side of the journey—what it's like to build a business with an established brand, proven systems, training, and support already behind you.We get into the real advantages of franchising, what aspiring owners need to know before investing, how franchise businesses grow, and why buying into the right system can eliminate some of the trial and error that comes with traditional entrepreneurship.If you want to own a business but don't necessarily want to invent the business, brand, products, and systems yourself, this episode may completely change the way you think about entrepreneurship.Start-up. Ownership. Growth. Franchising. Legacy.Let's Build Black.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/build-black/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Aug 11 · 36m
Your family tree may tell you more than where you came from. It could tell you what your family once owned.Historical researcher Jennine Labuzan joins The Build Black Show for a deep dive into genealogy, ancestral land, federal land patents and the records Black families may have never been taught to search.Jennine says her own genealogy research led her to an extraordinary discovery involving her third-great-grandfather, Charles A. Labuzan, and property tied to an 1840 federal land patent. Her search eventually grew into a legal battle involving land in Mississippi and a federal Quiet Title Act lawsuit against the United States. Court records show that in July 2026, a federal judge denied the government’s motion to dismiss that case, allowing the litigation to move forward.Recently featured on #RolandMartinUnfiltered, Jennine joins The Build Black Show to explain what she found, how she found it, and why she believes Black Americans should begin digging deeper into their own genealogy and property records.We get into:Federal land patents and why they matterGenealogy beyond building a family treeResearching deeds, property and public recordsBlack land ownership and historical land lossAncestral and inheritance claimsHow forgotten records can affect generational wealthWhy knowing the names of your ancestors mattersThis is one of those episodes that may completely change what you think genealogy is for.Don’t just ask where your family came from. Start asking what they owned.This conversation discusses an ongoing legal dispute and the guest’s research and interpretations. It is not legal advice.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/build-black/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Aug 4 · 39m
You do not need to be wealthy to start investing—but investing can become one of the tools that helps you build wealth.In this episode of The Build Black Show, Jose “Dre” Martin of Edward Jones joins Coach Swan Simpson for a powerful and approachable conversation about investing, financial confidence, and planning for the future.They discuss why people often avoid investing, how to move beyond the fear of not knowing enough, and why building wealth requires more than simply earning a good income. For entrepreneurs, professionals, families, and first-time investors, this conversation offers a valuable reminder: your money needs a purpose, a strategy, and enough time to grow.You will hear an honest discussion about creating financial goals, preparing for retirement, developing better money habits, and taking the first steps toward building a stronger financial future.You do not have to master everything overnight. You simply have to stop allowing confusion, fear, or procrastination to keep you on the sidelines.Press play and start thinking about what your money could accomplish when it is connected to a real plan.For educational purposes only. This episode does not provide individualized financial, tax, legal, or investment advice.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/build-black/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jul 28 · 27m
Comedy may look like laughter from the audience, but behind every joke is a business, a sacrifice, and sometimes an entire family depending on the next opportunity.In this episode of The Build Black Show, veteran comedian, actor, writer, and producer Rodney Perry sits down with the crew for an honest conversation about building a lasting career in comedy—and using laughter to create a life.Rodney shares how telling jokes helped pay for his children’s education, support his family, and finance the lifestyle he worked decades to build. He breaks down the business of comedy, the difference between being funny and being a professional, and what comedians must understand about longevity, relationships, preparation, and getting paid.Known for appearances on Def Comedy Jam, ComicView, Who’s Got Jokes?, BET’s The Mo’Nique Show, Bounce TV’s Off the Chain, and Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family, Rodney has built a multifaceted career across stand-up, television, film, writing, producing, and mentoring.But the conversation takes a deeper turn when Rodney opens up about the serious health scare that became his wake-up call. After suffering a near-fatal stroke in 2016, he was forced to slow down, examine his health, and reconsider what success truly means.This episode is funny, transparent, and packed with lessons for comedians, creators, entertainers, entrepreneurs, and anyone attempting to turn their gift into a sustainable business.In this episode:How Rodney turned comedy into a real careerWhy being funny is only one part of the businessHow jokes helped educate his children and support his familyThe financial realities behind life as a working comedianWhat longevity requires in the entertainment industryThe health scare that changed Rodney’s perspectiveWhy success means nothing when your health is falling apartLessons for the next generation of comedians and creatorsThis is not simply a story about making people laugh. It is a blueprint for using your talent, protecting your health, and building something that can take care of the people you love.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/build-black/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jul 21 · 39m
Episode 17 of The Build Black Show features Marc Pitts, co-founder of Discount Vape Pen, who shares how he turned a $20 business started in his garage into a million-dollar online company.Marc takes us behind the scenes of building a business in one of the most controversial and heavily regulated industries in America. He opens up about recognizing the opportunity, growing the company online, overcoming the stigma surrounding vaping, and accepting the responsibility that comes with selling age-restricted products.We also discuss underage vaping, changing regulations, legal compliance, customer trust, and the decisions that helped Marc grow from a small startup into a seven-figure e-commerce operation.This conversation explores what entrepreneurs can learn from Marc’s journey—including testing an idea before spending heavily, listening to the market, adapting to change, and continuing to build even when people question the industry you have chosen.Whether you agree with the vaping industry or not, Marc Pitts’ story is an honest look at entrepreneurship, controversy, responsibility, and what it takes to grow a business from almost nothing.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/build-black/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jul 14 · 50m
Should Black Americans keep voting... or is it time to boycott elections the same way consumers boycott major corporations?In this powerful roundtable episode of The Build Black Show, the crew steps away from guest interviews to tackle one of the most controversial conversations happening in America.Following the latest news surrounding the Election Assistance Commission, we explore what voting means today, whether elections can still create meaningful change, and why some entrepreneurs believe building businesses may have a greater long-term impact than political participation.Inside this episode we discuss:• Should Black America continue voting?• Is refusing to vote a legitimate form of protest?• Are economic boycotts more powerful than political ones?• Does business ownership create more freedom than politics?• Can entrepreneurship shift communities faster than elections?• What role should the next generation play in shaping the future?This isn't about telling you what to believe.It's about asking the difficult questions most people avoid.Whether you believe voting is essential, think the system is broken, or simply want to hear thoughtful perspectives from successful Black entrepreneurs, this episode will challenge your assumptions.The Build Black Show is where Black entrepreneurs, founders, creators, investors and business leaders come together to discuss ownership, media authority, wealth creation, culture, and economic empowerment.Thanks for the Follow & SubscribeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/build-black/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jul 7 · 33m
In this episode of The Build Black Show, we sit down with pro football player Latavious Brini for a powerful conversation about his upbringing, his grandmother’s influence, leadership, love, and what it feels like to live out his dream playing football.Latavious opens up about the people and lessons that shaped him, including the role his grandmother played in helping him become the man he is today. He talks about leading with love, staying grounded through the journey, and why so many people block their own blessings before they even get started.This episode is bigger than football. It is about belief, discipline, purpose, family, legacy, business growth, entrepreneurship, and refusing to gatekeep yourself from the life you were called to live.For Black entrepreneurs, athletes, creators, small business owners, founders, and dreamers, this conversation is a reminder to stop shrinking, stop waiting for permission, and start walking fully in what is already inside of you.The Build Black Show is where ownership, business growth, visibility, media authority, branding, leadership, and legacy meet real stories from people building something meaningful.#businesstips #smallbusinessmarketing #businessmindset #buildblackshow #businessmindset #creatorbusiness #blackowned #businesssalesstrategy #blackentrepreneurs #creatorbusinessSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/build-black/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jun 30 · 54m
Episode 14 of The Build Black Show features Tai “Rottweiler” Vann — a former MMA fighter, Orlando news professional, fitness trainer, youth mentor, and founder of V-Elite Sports Performance & Fitness.In this powerful conversation, Tai opens up about his rough upbringing, the mindset shift that changed his character, and the determination that helped him fight his way into a breakthrough opportunity at an Orlando news station. But his story does not stop with survival. It becomes a blueprint for discipline, business growth, media authority, community impact, and giving back.Tai shares how fitness became more than training bodies. It became a way to build confidence, leadership, structure, and character — especially for young people who need positive examples and real support.This episode is for Black entrepreneurs, small business owners, founders, creators, trainers, coaches, and anyone building something from the ground up while becoming the person their purpose requires.Listen now for a real conversation about mindset, ownership, business, discipline, purpose, and building a life that gives back.The Build Black Show is hosted by Coach Swan Simpson and spotlights Black entrepreneurs, business owners, founders, creators, and leaders building ownership, visibility, wealth, and media authority.#blackbusinesstips #smallbusinessmarketing #businessmindset #buildblackshow #businessmindset #creatorbusiness #swansimpson #businesssalesstrategy #blackentrepreneurs #creatorbusinessSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/build-black/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy