The BLK Directory Podcast With Diamond Young

What if you could cut through the fog of scaling your business and step into a successful senior executive role with more confidence than ever before? This week, I'm thrilled to chat with the incredible Laurel Rutledge, a seasoned entrepreneur, coach, and chief navigation officer who has made it her mission to guide women-owned businesses and up-and-coming senior executives towards success. Drawing from her own rich journey in the corporate world, Laurel brings a unique perspective to our conversation, particularly around the importance of building a figurative tribe and a robust support system to bolster your business and leadership journey.
Laurel's transition from corporate roles to becoming a business powerhouse is nothing short of inspiring. She gives us a snapshot of her time in the corporate world, working in accounting and HR roles, and how her experiences shaped her understanding of the significance of trust in a team, the essential role of internal audits, and most importantly, the courage to leave when the environment conflicts with your integrity. Our candid conversation extends into the realm of visibility and the role it plays in achieving success in both corporate and entrepreneurial landscapes.
Get ready for an exciting roller-coaster ride as we follow Laurel’s journey of evolving into an impact-driven entrepreneur. Despite initial hesitations, Laurel embraced podcasting as a platform for sharing inspiring stories, which now resonates with a vast audience. She shares her mission of making a significant, positive impact on K-12 education and how she has consistently kept her business thriving over the last six years. Tune in for an episode filled with personal insights, invaluable advice, and an inspiring conversation with the phenomenal Laurel Rutledge.
Laurel Rutledge Website
Laurel's Instagram

Thank you so much for checking out our latest episode!
If you've enjoyed this podcast, then please leave us a 5-star rating & review. This will tremendously help me reach more people and create an impact.
If you would like to keep up with us outside of the podcast, check out the links below:
Learn About BLK DirectoryDonate to our 501 (c)(3) Nonprofit Join the BLK Collective (Discord Group)Promo & Ad Application

SOCIALS:
TikTok
Instagram
Diamond's Instagram

Want to submit a guest application? Submit your request here.

Imagine embarking on a remarkable tech journey, shifting gears from being an IT aficionado to becoming a Pinterest maestro. That's the journey our guest, Precious Rogers, has taken - and she's keen to share. This episode is a deep dive into Precious’s fascinating life story, from her tech-savvy beginnings to the unexpected turns that led her into the world of Pinterest marketing.
Precious, who began her journey as a virtual assistant, has carved out a successful career in the Pinterest space. She shares her experiences, strategies, and tips - everything from creating an optimized account to keyword research tactics that ensure your content gets the attention it deserves. We also explore how to repurpose existing content to make it Pinterest-worthy and how she uses Pinterest distinctively from other social media platforms for business growth.
But that's not all. We unravel the power of Pinterest, often an underestimated tool in e-commerce. Precious shares her insights on connecting your Shopify store to Pinterest, becoming a verified merchant, understanding the evergreen nature of content on the platform, and how to ensure your content is visible in search results. Brace yourselves for an insightful journey into the world of Pinterest with Precious Rogers. Whether you're a techie or just a Pinterest enthusiast, there's a lot to learn and apply.

Thank you so much for checking out our latest episode!
If you've enjoyed this podcast, then please leave us a 5-star rating & review. This will tremendously help me reach more people and create an impact.
If you would like to keep up with us outside of the podcast, check out the links below:
Learn About BLK DirectoryDonate to our 501 (c)(3) Nonprofit Join the BLK Collective (Discord Group)Promo & Ad Application

SOCIALS:
TikTok
Instagram
Diamond's Instagram

Want to submit a guest application? Submit your request here.

I've had the privilege to sit down with Natakey Page Owens, the Founder of the Pamela D. Page Foundation (PDP), for a moving and illuminating conversation. Natakey, a survivor of Domestic Violence, bravely recounts her personal journey and how the tragic loss of her mother to Domestic Violence inspired her to create the foundation. PDP is committed to providing essential resources to survivors while raising awareness about the far-reaching impact of domestic violence. This episode offers a raw, enlightening, and empowering perspective on a difficult subject.
Deep in conversation, we confront the generational effects of domestic violence, and the complex reasons why many stay in abusive relationships. Natakey sheds light on the power of inner healing and the importance of breaking cycles of violence. She also discusses her experience as a mother and as an advocate, and how she's inspiring her children and others through her work. We delve into the role of societal pressures on public figures dealing with domestic violence, and the challenges in seeking help.
In our final discussion, we zoom in on the crucial role a support system plays when escaping a domestic violence situation. Drawing from Natakey's personal experience and the mission of PDPF, we discuss how encouragement without judgment can make a difference in a survivor's journey. Natakey emphasizes that it's not uncommon for survivors to attempt leaving their abuser multiple times before successfully doing so. Tune in for an enlightening discussion about the reality of domestic violence, and the resilience of survivors who are not just surviving, but thriving.
Pamela D Page Foundation
PDP Instagram
Life After Trauma 5K Walk
Life After Trauma Hair & Fashion Show

Thank you so much for checking out our latest episode!
If you've enjoyed this podcast, then please leave us a 5-star rating & review. This will tremendously help me reach more people and create an impact.
If you would like to keep up with us outside of the podcast, check out the links below:
Learn About BLK DirectoryDonate to our 501 (c)(3) Nonprofit Join the BLK Collective (Discord Group)Promo & Ad Application

SOCIALS:
TikTok
Instagram
Diamond's Instagram

Want to submit a guest application? Submit your request here.

Check out the latest episode with Entrepreneur, Speaker, and Life Coach Shavannah Moore who helps leaders around the globe become the elevated version of themselves. She helps them activate their gift by providing them with the tools to master their mindset and crush their goals. Shavannah has been featured on The Rachael Ray Show, Dr. Oz Show, Amazon Prime, CBS, WRAL's Tarheel Talk, G105, Power 95.5, Women's Radio Network and so many more media outlets around the World. She has worked with Top Influences who have appeared on The OWN Network, Tyler Perry, Food Network & NBC.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Power of mindset
• Journey into the coaching and public speaking industry
• Fighting depression as an entrepreneur
• Aligning with your purpose
• Opportunity with CBS

Ad Resource Mentioned
Fiverr
Check us out in the app store:
iOS App Store
Google Play Store

Socials:
@blkdirectory
@diamondunlimited_
Have a question or topic for us to discuss on the podcast? Submit your request here
Are you looking for a community of entrepreneurs to connect with and for more resources to help grow your business? Join our private Facebook community for entrepreneurs

Thank you so much for checking out our latest episode!
If you've enjoyed this podcast, then please leave us a 5-star rating & review. This will tremendously help me reach more people and create an impact.
If you would like to keep up with us outside of the podcast, check out the links below:
Learn About BLK DirectoryDonate to our 501 (c)(3) Nonprofit Join the BLK Collective (Discord Group)Promo & Ad Application

SOCIALS:
TikTok
Instagram
Diamond's Instagram

Want to submit a guest application? Submit your request here.

Welcome to the very first episode of the BLK Directory Podcast. I'm your host Diamond Young and you may want to buckle up. This episode was recorded on June 4, 2021, aka our anniversary. This episode captures the true essence of BLK Directory and our mission. My mom, Tricia B., hops in the driver's seat for this episode and interviews me.
In this episode, we discuss:

• How I started BLK Directory a few months before the pandemic and a recap of our 1st year in business
• How the death of George Floyd pushed me to release BLK Directory before I was ready to launch
• Learning how to get out of your own way and lean into your craft
• Leveraging your business and mission to create a team with no money
• What's next for BLK Directory and how consumers and black business owners can get involved

Check us out in the app store:
iOS App Store
Google Play Store

Socials:
@blkdirectory
@diamondunlimited_
Tricia B.

Have a question or topic for us to discuss on the podcast? Submit your request here
Join our private Facebook community for entrepreneurs here

Thank you so much for checking out our latest episode!
If you've enjoyed this podcast, then please leave us a 5-star rating & review. This will tremendously help me reach more people and create an impact.
If you would like to keep up with us outside of the podcast, check out the links below:
Learn About BLK DirectoryDonate to our 501 (c)(3) Nonprofit Join the BLK Collective (Discord Group)Promo & Ad Application

SOCIALS:
TikTok
Instagram
Diamond's Instagram

Want to submit a guest application? Submit your request here.