The Payoff

How do you juggle being the mayor of a city while running multiple business ventures? In this episode of The Payoff Podcast, Rachel Proctor, Mayor of DeSoto, Texas, and franchise owner of Salata, shares her unique journey of leading her community while navigating the entrepreneurial world. Rachel dives into the challenges and rewards of franchise ownership, her approach to accessing capital, and the critical lessons she’s learned from managing multiple ventures. From the highs of business suc...

Ever wonder how a small consumer goods business makes it onto the shelves of major retailers like HEB and Central Market? Jessica Taylor, founder of Ezra Coffee, shares her inspiring journey on this episode of The Payoff. From identifying her target market to scaling her brand and navigating the complex retail landscape, Jessica reveals some of the key steps that helped her turn Ezra Coffee into a household name. Discover how she crafted a compelling brand story, built relationships with reta...

Expanding your e-commerce business beyond borders can unlock massive growth potential—but navigating the complexities of international trade is no easy feat. In this episode, Maria Luisa Boyce, Vice President of International Policy for UPS Global Public Affairs, draws on over 25 years of experience in global trade, customs affairs, and cross-border logistics to offer expert advice on scaling e-commerce businesses internationally. Maria breaks down the key strategies for successfully entering...

Multimillion enterprises are being built using a cheat sheet and we wanted to find out how. What does it take to build a successful empire through franchising? In this episode, we dive into the world of franchising with Isoke Harris, a dedicated change agent and veteran entrepreneur who owned 43 Pizza Huts across Louisiana. Isoke shares the unique opportunities and challenges of franchising, the skills needed to succeed, and why franchising can be a great path for entrepreneurs s...

Running a business isn’t just about profit – it’s about navigating the challenges, taking risks, and knowing when to pivot. In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Bradley, co-founder and well-respected venture capitalist of 1863 Ventures, a business development program that’s helped hundreds of Black and Brown entrepreneurs achieve success. Melissa shares the real grit behind building a business, and the common misconceptions entrepreneurs face. From funding and scalability, the ins and ou...