• E66 The VIP Café Show with Joey Mamounis - Finding Your Unique Angle: Connecting People and Products
    Jun 19 2025

    Joey Mamounis, Director of Sales for Prima Kachina Group, shares his journey from a mass media communications background to becoming a marketing expert who finds unique sales angles for businesses across Youngstown.

    • Background in mass media communications and journalism from YSU
    • Working with Prima Group, overseeing Bar Prima downtown and assisting with Prima Events at the Apollo Center
    • Successfully marketed a CBD cannabis drinkable product to over 100 accounts across the region
    • Growing up as the grandson of Joey Naples shaped his resilience and drive
    • Planning to expand Youngstown Coffee Company distribution to Cleveland, Columbus, and Pittsburgh
    • Values customers who truly listen and commit to the marketing process
    • Credits his 7th/8th grade teacher Mike Kerensky as a significant mentor

    Visit Prima Cucina Italiana at 4500 Mahoning Avenue—"We're white tablecloth, but we're not pretentious. Come and have Italian like you've never had anywhere else."


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    29 mins
  • E65 The VIP Café Show with Madison Orlando - Healing Through Touch: The Power of Massage Therapy
    Jun 19 2025

    Madison Orlando of Massage Alchemist shares her journey from childhood abandonment to becoming a healer who helps clients transition from physical and emotional disharmony to balance and healing.

    • Helping others transition from disharmony to harmony through massage therapy
    • The importance of stillness in receiving divine guidance among today's information overload
    • How emotional issues often manifest physically after being suppressed for years
    • Madison's remarkable life story of being raised by her invalid grandmother after losing both parents
    • The path from Northern Shaolin Kung Fu champion to finding her calling as a massage therapist
    • The healing power of vulnerability and being truly heard by another person
    • How witnessing acts of kindness triggers the same positive endorphins as performing them

    Connect with Madison through the Massage Alchemist Facebook page to schedule a session and experience transformation through therapeutic massage.


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    23 mins
  • E64 The VIP Café Show with Tom Orlando: From Prison to Purpose
    May 19 2025

    The moment Tom Orlando's life changed forever sits at the heart of this powerful conversation. A promising football player whose career was cut short by injury, Tom found success as a business owner, growing his motorcycle dealership into the top 1% nationwide. But beneath the surface success lurked habits that would lead to devastating consequences.

    When a night of drinking ended in a fatal car accident that killed his friend Frank, Tom faced the unimaginable – standing before his friend's family in court as "just the guy that killed their son," before serving five years in prison for manslaughter. Rather than surrendering to despair, Tom discovered Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" and convinced prison authorities to let him teach these principles to fellow inmates.

    Tom shares the raw emotional weight of his experience with remarkable vulnerability, from the "empty chair" at his friend's family holiday gatherings to the blood-spattered newspaper when another inmate was stabbed beside him in the prison library. Through it all, Tom developed a philosophy that leadership isn't about titles but about "being in charge of the people that do the job and being responsible for those people."

    Now working as a leadership expert and recovery coach, Tom's most rewarding moment came years after his release, when a former inmate approached him on a train platform to share how Tom's prison teachings had transformed his life. This powerful testament affirms Tom's belief that everyone has "a God-shaped hole" they attempt to fill, and his mission to help others find healthy ways to fill that void.

    Connect with Tom on LinkedIn or visit TheTomOrlando.com to learn how his extraordinary journey of redemption can help transform your organization or personal life.

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    36 mins
  • E63 The VIP Café Show with Taryn Sallie - Boardman Neighbors: How One Magazine is Reviving Local Bonds
    May 2 2025

    We explore the power of community connection through Boardman Neighbors, a new magazine helping Boardman residents rediscover their neighborhood one family at a time. Publisher Taryn Sallie shares her entrepreneurial journey and her mission to rebuild local connections.

    • Boardman Neighbors magazine features a different local family on each monthly cover
    • Unlike other publications, the magazine is delivered directly to residents' doorsteps without subscription
    • Readers have responded enthusiastically, requesting even more local content
    • The magazine includes "expert contributor" sections where local businesses share valuable knowledge
    • Taryn's entrepreneurial spirit was inspired by her great-grandmother who owned a beauty salon
    • The publication serves as a platform for local businesses to connect with community members
    • Taryn's contact information: 330-333-8227 or tsallie@bestversionmedia.com


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    25 mins
  • E62 The VIP Café Show with Jennifer Frank on Fashion for All: Celebrating Every Body
    Apr 23 2025

    Jennifer Frank, creator of the Every Body Fashion Show, shares her journey from fashion-loving Italian girl to New York City professional and finally to passionate mentor of fashion students.

    • Started the Every Body Fashion Show in 2013 in memory of student Danielle Peters who passed away from complications of bulimia
    • Models of all shapes, sizes, and ages (from 6 months to 74 years old) walk the runway
    • Fashion has psychological impact, giving people opportunity to "sparkle" and feel confident
    • Show planning requires thousands of hours of preparation and coordination
    • The fashion industry now focuses more on social media influencers than traditional magazines
    • Understanding your body type helps you adapt fashion trends to what works for you
    • Mentoring students is Jennifer's greatest joy and success

    The Every Body Fashion Show will be held May 7th at Eastwood Event Center, doors open at 5:30pm, show starts at 6:30pm. Free admission. Anyone interested in modeling should email Jennifer at jmfrank@ysu.edu right away.


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    26 mins
  • E61 The VIP Café Show - Susan Sutton's Ember Project for Teen Mothers
    Apr 23 2025

    Susan Sutton transforms the landscape for teen mothers through The Ember Project, an organization dedicated to empowering young mothers to pursue education and career goals despite early parenthood. Drawing from her personal experience as a teen mom who faced discouragement and stigma, Susan has created a mentorship program that helps young women maintain their ambitions while navigating the challenges of early motherhood.

    • The Ember Project stands for Early Mothers Becoming Empowered and Resilient
    • Less than 50% of teen mothers obtain high school diplomas by age 20
    • Even at age 40, women who had children before 20 earn 30% less than those who waited until after 25
    • The program offers tutoring, test preparation, college application assistance, resume writing, and job coaching
    • Teen mothers are matched with successful mentors who were also teen mothers
    • The project focuses on the mothers rather than just providing for their children
    • Society often labels teen mothers as "lost causes" when they actually need support to reach their potential
    • Success is measured through diplomas, degrees, and "moms with direction"
    • The cycle of teen pregnancy often continues through generations without intervention
    • Susan's journey to founding the organization came after recognizing the limited legacy she was leaving

    Visit theemberproject.org or find us on social media to learn more about volunteering or applying for the program.


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    38 mins
  • Turning Passion into Purpose: Jere B's Musical Journey
    Apr 21 2025

    Jere B takes us behind the curtain of Entree Musician International, a thriving global community born during the 2020 pandemic when musicians everywhere faced the devastating reality of canceled performances. Drawing from his own career of failures and comebacks, Jere B transformed personal lessons into a movement that now connects artists across continents.

    What began as practical advice quickly evolved when industry veterans recognized something special in Jere B's approach. Linda Bolero from Berkeley, Tony Bennett's former road manager Vance Anderson, and metadata strategist Daryl Looney joined forces with him to create a virtual hub where musicians could grow together through honest feedback and encouragement.

    The magic happens in Jere B's collaborative sessions where musicians present their work to receive constructive criticism from seasoned professionals. One participant, a young Youngstown native named Jaron Brooks, has been working with Jere B since age 16 and is developing into "the next Usher" through this mentorship. Jere B's production philosophy echoes that of his heroes Arif Martin and Quincy Jones—drawing out each artist's authentic spirit rather than chasing fleeting trends.

    Having started his musical journey as a church drummer at four years old, Jere B learned his craft by studying the masters. He shares insights on finding your musical voice through careful study of influences (like Prince did with James Brown and Little Richard) while emphasizing that true musicianship requires more than talent—it demands the right mindset, discipline, and focus.

    For Jere B, music must fulfill four essential purposes: engage the spirit, enrich the heart, encourage the soul, and empower the listener. This philosophy guides everything he creates and produces. Ready to unlock your potential as an entrepreneur musician? Visit https://theentremusician.com/ or join Jere B's free workshop on April 3rd, focusing on sharpening your musical mindset.

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    27 mins
  • E59: The VIP Café Show with Angela Johnson - Life Coaching: Unpacking the Journey to Self-Discovery
    Mar 6 2025

    This episode is a deep dive into Angela Johnson's transformative journey. A life coach, Angela shares her personal story of loss, love, and professional growth. She explores the importance of self-discovery, relationships, and the possibilities that come with seeking guidance.

    • Angela's insights on navigating loss and resilience
    • The balance between success and happiness in personal lives
    • Importance of communication and establishing boundaries
    • How seeking coaching parallels seeking medical help
    • Cultivating one's potential and embracing vulnerability

    If you're curious about how life coaching can transform your life, contact Angela on Instagram at @coachang.allin or visit her website at allinwithang.com.


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    30 mins