Dreams In Drive

This week we have NYC-based marketing professional and  TikToker Laura Flescher on the show! Laura shares how she built her film & tv platform Not So Critically Acclaimed to over 268K+ followers. She details her mindset and how she grew it from the ground up (without any contacts or prior experience in the entertainment industry) and all that she is doing to fuel growth and brand partnership opportunities for herself.  We also dive into the uniqueness of Not So Critically Acclaimed's origin story. She  shares her experience of starting the platform during her  senior year of college at Emory University - whilst the world was heading into the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Though the world was shutting down, she used this as an opportunity to dive deep into her passion for media and entertainment and hasn’t looked back since.   Some of the things we discuss in this episode include:  What inspired Laura as child How the devastation of the Pandemic unlocked a new creative pathway for Laura to explore How Laura found her voice and content creation strategy on TikTok Why Not So Critically Acclaimed became so popular in the film & TV social space Laura's favorite TikTok growth tips What you can do to grow traction on social media (especially TikTok) The best part about seeing your dreams come tue Whether content creation will ever be Laura's full-time gig...and more! JOIN THE WEEKLY DREAMS IN DRIVE NEWSLETTER:www.dreamsindrive.com/join FIND LAURA ON: Instagram: @notsocriticallyacclaimed TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@notsocriticallyacclaimed FIND RANA ON SOCIAL: Instagram:  @rainshineluv @dreamsindriveWeb: www.dreamsindrive.com FIND DREAMS IN DRIVE ON:Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dreamsindrive Twitter: http://twitter.com/dreamsindrive Web: https://www.dreamsindrive.com

I've been scared of going to the dentist my entire life. Childhood visits usually ended in full blown tears and panic attacks. As an adult, the same fear remained. A recent dental emergency that I COULD NOT avoid made me realize how much this fear (and many other fears) can be crippling and causing me more harm than good. While avoidance may be short-term gratifying, its long-term effects are REAL. On this episode, I dive into how conquering this fear of getting my wisdom teeth pulled has really caused a shift in my perspective on community, personal strength, goal-setting, and what it takes to put your dreams in drive. I hope you listen and take away a nugget (or two) that can help you along your own journey!

Listen in as DJ David Victor shares the story behind his creative career. From viral social content to a thriving DJ career and full-time job in tech...how does he do it all? How many times has a sick DJ mash-up made you stop in your tracks and just vibe out? That's what happens when I hear a DJ David dance mix. I can't remember how I first stumbled across his content on social media, but once I did, I was hooked and have been following his growth ever since. It was a pleasure to have him on the podcast to talk about the the story behind his viral dance parties (Club 1BD), social media success, and balancing his creative career alongside a full-time job. Often referred to as the life of the party, David has lived up to his name from behind the turntables. He’s an eclectic, charismatic and New York Times Featured DJ, whose personality lights up a room as much as his sets do. His knack for reading the crowd and his exceptional mixing skills make his sets stand out - and of course, memorable. I wanted to talk to David about the story behind Club 1BD - but also understand a little more about HIM and how he’s managing and juggling it all. From his early upbringing attending an elite high school, balancing a full time job, DJ'ing at private events - and also running a thriving event community. It's a lot, but it's possible. Make sure you’re following us on social @dreamsindrive. Share with a friend if you're inspired or encouraged to get your dreams out of neutral and into DRIVE! FIND DJ DAVID ON: Instagram: @itsdavidthedj TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@itsdavidthedj FIND RANA ON SOCIAL: Instagram:  @rainshineluv @dreamsindriveWeb: www.dreamsindrive.com FIND DREAMS IN DRIVE ON:Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dreamsindrive Twitter: http://twitter.com/dreamsindrive Web: https://www.dreamsindrive.com

Who knew a train ride could reveal so much... Do you believe in fate? A higher power directing you? Or, are things just a coincidence? On this episode of the podcast, I talk about a recent series of events that left me a bit shaken up, but validated AND also convinced that this was the SIGN I needed to trust the need for change and intentionality in my life. Listen in as I walk you through what happened and why I think it's so important to keep the momentum going when things like this happen in your life. *SUBSCRIBE TO "THE KEYS" NEWSLETTER: http://www.dreamsindrive.com/join *Follow Dreams In Drive on Social: *http://twitter.com/dreamsindrive *http://instagram.com/dreamsindrive *Follow Rana on Social: *http://instagram.com/rainshineluv *http://twitter.com/rainshineluv

Join me in this inspiring episode featuring Taiia Smart Young, a dynamic book coach, writing consultant and story strategist. She teaches coaches, consultants, speakers and entrepreneurs how to use their expertise and experiences to write and self-publish brand-building, sticky stories that make bank. Taiia shares her journey of moving from neutral to thriving, emphasizing the importance of support, staying attuned to trends, and building a strong personal brand. We discuss the evolution of Taiia’s brand, the lessons learned from setbacks, and how rejection can be a powerful setup for new opportunities. Discover why desire alone isn't always enough and what prompted Taiia to fully invest in herself and embrace entrepreneurship full-time. Taiia highlights the critical role of having someone who believes in you, the necessity of niching down in our pursuits, and the process of uncovering what truly sets us apart. Whether you're navigating your own career path or seeking inspiration to chase your dreams, this episode is packed with insights to help you thrive. More About Taiia Here: Ms. Young has interviewed celebrities including Michelle Obama, Mary J. Blige. Nas, 50, Tabitha Brown, Debbie Allen, La La Anthony and more. Her work has appeared in ESSENCE, Latina, Refinery29.com, TIDAL, Verizon.com and The New York Times. Taiia is the author of S.T.E.P. Into Your Story™: Position Your Expertise, Propel Your Brand and Prepare For Visibility by Writing a Best-Selling Book. The S.T.E.P. Into Your Story™ writing and publishing intensive is based on the book. SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER – THE KEYS: https://www.dreamsindrive.com/join FIND TAIIA SMART YOUNG ON: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taiiasmartyoung.com Linkedin: Taiia Smart Young Web: www.taiiasmartyoung.com FIND RANA ON SOCIAL: Instagram:  @rainshineluv @dreamsindriveWeb: www.dreamsindrive.com FIND DREAMS IN DRIVE ON:Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dreamsindrive Twitter: http://twitter.com/dreamsindrive Web: https://www.dreamsindrive.com    

What do you do when have a job interview coming up, but you have no idea how to be confident, smartly prepare, or leave a lasting impression? Listen in as host Rana Campbell shares her favorite tips for interviewees looking to have successful interviews where they walk away feeling good about the next steps...and hopefully help land the job! Whether you're in the market for a new gig or simply need to practice your interviewing skills, these tips will set you apart and help set you up for success in any kind of interview scenario! Plus, Rana sprinkles in a bit of her personal real-life experiences to help showcase how these tips have helped her in her own career and job searches! *SUBSCRIBE TO "THE KEYS" NEWSLETTER: http://www.dreamsindrive.com/join *Follow Dreams In Drive on Social: *http://twitter.com/dreamsindrive *http://instagram.com/dreamsindrive *Follow Rana on Social: *http://instagram.com/rainshineluv *http://twitter.com/rainshineluv

Would you believe if I told you I had one of the un-sexiest jobs at Princeton University? Listen in as I share how working in the dishwashing room of the dining hall during my Freshman year at Princeton University turned out to be one of the biggest blessings of my life. So many times, we think we can't fall in love with a job we "hate" - but oftentimes those awkward, uncomfortable, un-sexy jobs are the ones that teach us the most and set us up for success later in life. I reflect on all that I learned during my year in the dining hall, and what the takeaways are for me (and you dream drivers) almost 15 years later. TLDR: How My Unsexy Princeton Job Taught Me the BIGGEST Life Lesson *SUBSCRIBE TO "THE KEYS" NEWSLETTER: http://www.dreamsindrive.com/join *Follow Dreams In Drive on Social: *http://twitter.com/dreamsindrive *http://instagram.com/dreamsindrive *Follow Rana on Social: *http://instagram.com/rainshineluv *http://twitter.com/rainshineluv

Wow, 400 episodes of Dreams In Drive...can you believe it?! Listen in as I reflect on the past 400 episodes and share some of the many lessons learned along the way. I share some of the mindsets and mantras that have helped me keep going over the years - and tips for other podcasters (or dream drivers) like yourself that need  inspiration and encouragement as they continue to keep the dream alive. *SUBSCRIBE TO "THE KEYS" NEWSLETTER: http://www.dreamsindrive.com/join *Follow Dreams In Drive on Social: *http://instagram.com/dreamsindrive *Follow Rana on Social: *http://instagram.com/rainshineluv

Are you feeling unmotivated, uninspired, lazy....and just over it?What are 6 things you can do to help battle the havoc that burnout can wreak on your life if you let it? Listen in as I share six tips that have personally helped me in my own journey to combatting and working through burnout at this new stage in my life.  *SUBSCRIBE TO "THE KEYS" NEWSLETTER: http://www.dreamsindrive.com/join *Follow Dreams In Drive on Social: *http://twitter.com/dreamsindrive *http://instagram.com/dreamsindrive *Follow Rana on Social: *http://instagram.com/rainshineluv *http://twitter.com/rainshineluv

This dream driving life isn't always easy, but its possible. In our new Keys To Success series - our guests are keeping it real on the key things they've had to focus in on as putting their dreams in motion. Listen in as Lucky Girl Rosé founder Akilah Releford Gould shares her three keys to success while launching the brand (just a month ago!) and how she's navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship as a new, working mom.  Akilah's Keys To Success: 1. Work Ethic 2. Know Your Why 3. Gratitude SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER – THE KEYS: https://www.dreamsindrive.com/join FIND AKILAH RELEFORD GOULD ON: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/akilahreleford FIND RANA ON SOCIAL: Instagram: http://instagram.com/rainshineluv Twitter: http://twitter.com/rainshineluv FIND DREAMS IN DRIVE ON:Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dreamsindrive Twitter: http://twitter.com/dreamsindrive Web: https://www.dreamsindrive.com

Listen in as Afro Unicorn founder April Showers details the path and journey she took to being the first black woman to own a licensed character brand being sold in major retailers across the country in over 20+ categories. If you want to make an impact, you gotta put that pedal to the metal. Marathon Mindset. Period. Some of the things we talk about in this episode include: - How growing up in Los Angeles influenced April's early hustler mentality - What April's former careers in real estate and insurance taught her about business - April's initial business trajectory...and how that changed - How Walmart got interested in the brand and how April scaled Afro Unicorn - The power of character licensing and why Afro Unicorn has the potential to be a billion dollar business - Why having a marathon mindset is key for success...and more! Note: this episode first aired in October 2023.   SHOP THE DREAMS IN DRIVE STORE: https://www.dreamsindrive.com/shop SUPPORT DREAMS IN DRIVE: https://www.dreamsindrive.com/donate BROWSE THE BOOKSTORE:https://www.dreamsindrive.com/bookstore SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER – THE KEYS: https://www.dreamsindrive.com/join FIND APRIL SHOWERS ON: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/gotaprilshowers Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/afrounicorn_official FIND RANA ON SOCIAL: Instagram: http://instagram.com/rainshineluv Twitter: http://twitter.com/rainshineluv FIND DREAMS IN DRIVE ON:Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dreamsindrive Twitter: http://twitter.com/dreamsindrive Web: https://www.dreamsindrive.com

Guess what? You have the secret sauce no matter what you're going through right now. Listen in as entrepreneur, business expert, and media personality Vivian Kaye shares her #dreamdriving journey and the ONE thing you need to be aware of in order to put your dreams in drive. Vivian shares how - as the founder of KinkyCurlyYaki (acquired), a premium textured hair extension brand for Black women - she was able to bootstrap the business to over $6 million in revenue as an immigrant, college dropout and single mom.Through her magnetic energy, Vivian shares empowering words of wisdom, uplifting moments and educates us about the REAL aspects of the #dreamdriving life. Note: This episode originally aired in April 2023. Some of the topics we discuss include: How she found a niche and launched a wedding decor business Why it's important to solve REAL problems How to make your content relatable and real How she grew KinkyCurlyYaki to over $1m in revenue with any outside funders When its okay to say bye to a dream How motherhood motivates her drive The importance of trusting your intuition Why you can’t rely on motivation alone...and what to do about it KEYS TO SUCCESS: 1. Mindset 2. Destination/Goal 3. Good Vibes FIND VIVIAN ONLINE: Instagram/ Tiktok: @itsviviankaye FIND DREAMS IN DRIVE ON:Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dreamsindrive Twitter: http://twitter.com/dreamsindrive Web: https://www.dreamsindrive.com SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - THE KEYS: www.dreamsindrive.com/join  JOIN THE #DREAMSINDRIVE FACEBOOK GROUP: www.dreamsindrive.com/facebook

The Cupcake Collection founder Mignon Francois shares how taking a chance and flipping her last $5 turned into a legacy with over five million cupcakes sold to date. "I realized I could be sick and tired but I couldn't be both," said Mignon Francois - speaker, entrepreneur, community leader and founder of The Cupcake Collection. On this episode, Mignon dives into how she was able to get out of debt and brokenness - by founding The Cupcake Collection in 2008, on the last $5 she had to feed her family. That determination and will turned into a legacy with over five million cupcakes sold to date. Mignon shares the details of the beginning days of running the business and some of the mental hurdles she had to overcome in order to truly soar along her #dreamdriving journey. She gives advice for other dream drivers who may feel like the dream has "passed them" or that "it's too late" and why being willing to let your gifts shine is the best thing you can do for your chance of future success. SHOP THE DREAMS IN DRIVE STORE: https://www.dreamsindrive.com/shop SUPPORT DREAMS IN DRIVE: https://www.dreamsindrive.com/donate BROWSE THE BOOKSTORE:https://www.dreamsindrive.com/bookstore SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER – THE KEYS: https://www.dreamsindrive.com/join FIND MIGNON ON: Instagram: @mignon.francois Web: https://www.thecupcakecollection.com/ FIND RANA ON SOCIAL: Instagram: http://instagram.com/rainshineluv Twitter: http://twitter.com/rainshineluv FIND DREAMS IN DRIVE ON:Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dreamsindrive Twitter: http://twitter.com/dreamsindrive Web: https://www.dreamsindrive.com

How can one of the most tramautic experiences of your life lead you towards new beginnings? Meet Camila Crews, founder of Sorry For Your Loss (Cards).  Camila has worked in PR and communications for some of your favorite brands, having had a part of developing and executing campaigns for critically acclaimed films like Universal’s US, Sony’s The Woman King, Apple TV’s Ted Lasso and more. SFYLC provides support to individuals who are grieving. The company utilizes greeting cards as a vehicle to help family and friends open the conversation about grief and loss so they can offer support not just when the loss happens, but throughout the grief journey. What we really dive into today is how the unexpected loss of her dear father inspired this journey that she never planned or expected she’d be pursuing now. Camila knows firsthand how painful loss can be. Over the course of 20 years, she lost her father and mother. After losing her dad in 2022, while grieving, she had to manage his estate, which was incredibly difficult since she needed to find helpful resources like a grief group, a therapist and new approaches to her personal and professional life. This traumatic experience gave birth to Sorry For Your Loss (Cards). That’s the beauty of dream driving - sometimes we go down unexpected paths - and find out so much about ourselves and our potential along the way.  SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER – THE KEYS: https://www.dreamsindrive.com/join FIND CAMILA CREWS ON: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sorryforyourlosscards/ Web: https://sorryforyourlosscards.com/our-story FIND RANA ON SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackpeoplediebysuicidetoo/Web: https://blackpeoplediebysuicidetoo.org/ FIND DREAMS IN DRIVE ON:Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dreamsindrive Twitter: http://twitter.com/dreamsindrive Web: https://www.dreamsindrive.com

What are 3 essential things you need in your #dreamdriving toolkit as you embark on getting out of NEUTRAL and into DRIVE? This week I share the three keys that have been helping me navigate current life moments and why I think you need these long the journey, too. *SUBSCRIBE TO "THE KEYS" NEWSLETTER: http://www.dreamsindrive.com/join *Follow Dreams In Drive on Social: *http://twitter.com/dreamsindrive *http://instagram.com/dreamsindrive *Follow Rana on Social: *http://instagram.com/rainshineluv *http://twitter.com/rainshineluv

Black People Die By Suicide Too co-founders T-kea Blackman and Jordan Scott chat with me about their road to building a non-profit focused on normalizing the conversation about suicide in the Black Community. We talk about the importance of mental health and mental wellness (including actionable tips, support + resources) and why these conversations are so pivotal for those along the #dreamdriving journey.  SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER – THE KEYS: https://www.dreamsindrive.com/join FIND THE T-KEA & JORDAN ON: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackpeoplediebysuicidetoo/ Resources: https://blackpeoplediebysuicidetoo.org/resources/ FIND RANA ON SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackpeoplediebysuicidetoo/Web: https://blackpeoplediebysuicidetoo.org/ FIND DREAMS IN DRIVE ON:Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dreamsindrive Twitter: http://twitter.com/dreamsindrive Web: https://www.dreamsindrive.com

Trying to build or scale your brand? Here’s what Beauty CEO Melissa Butler says you need to know.  In this episode, The Lip Bar CEO and Founder Melissa Butler shares the keys to growing and scaling her beauty empire while growing as a person and business owner. We first spoke to Melissa in 2017 on EP 119 and she shares in details there how she went from stock broker to beauty entrepreneur. In this update episode Melissa details how much she and THE LIP BAR have grown since 2017 and shares some of the realities of what it means to truly pivot and grow up as an entrepreneur, leader, and individual. Some of what you'll learn is: What changed for TLB since 2017 How Launching in Walmart was a game changer Realties of growth no one talks about The importance of negative reviews The importance of supply chain management Why fundraising and getting investor $$ isn’t for everyone The question to ask about "wasting time" The importance of knowing your audience Why dream driving doesn’t always mean entrepreneurship How to accept where you are The importance of playing the long game The true meaning of dreams in drive SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER – THE KEYS: https://www.dreamsindrive.com/join FIND THE MELISSA/THE LIP BAR  ON: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/melissarbutler Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/thelipbar FIND RANA ON SOCIAL: Instagram: http://instagram.com/rainshineluv Twitter: http://twitter.com/rainshineluv FIND DREAMS IN DRIVE ON:Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dreamsindrive Twitter: http://twitter.com/dreamsindrive Web: https://www.dreamsindrive.com

Let's talk about money! CFA Jason Blumstein helps us debunk some finance myths and provides practicable, actionable advice that we can start implementing to start building wealth today. Hey Dream Drivers -  Today on the podcast we have Jason Blumstein, CFA®, CEO and Founder of Julius Wealth Advisors, LLC, a boutique wealth advisory providing concierge advantages. We are going to be talking about how you can BUILD WEALTH BY CHOICE. I know money, funding, financial independence, and wealth building are all topics that you all are dealing with on the daily - so I’ve brought in an expert to help us debunk some finance myths and provide practicable, actionable advice that we can start implementing ASAP. Jason is the Host of the podcast, "The Big Bo $how." He’s knowledgeable and an engaging speaker and you all are going to enjoy not only his practical tips on building personal wealth but also his story. Growing up familiar with financial struggles and frustration, he’s walked the walk that’s been the journey of most of us Dream Drivers. I’m happy to have Jason share his teachings on financial literacy with us. His expertise snowballed at branded institutions like PricewaterhouseCoopers, Morgan Stanley, and J.P. Morgan.  If you enjoy this episode - the BEST thing you can do is share with a friend or your community!! SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER – THE KEYS: https://www.dreamsindrive.com/join CONNECT WITH JASON:Email: jason@juliuswealth.com FIND RANA ON SOCIAL: Instagram: http://instagram.com/rainshineluv Twitter: http://twitter.com/rainshineluv FIND DREAMS IN DRIVE ON:Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dreamsindrive Twitter: http://twitter.com/dreamsindrive Web: https://www.dreamsindrive.com

It can be tough when you feel like everyone else is achieving the dream faster than you. Assuming, you're actively trying to make a dream happen...what do you do? Listen in as Rana responds to a listener question and shares 4 key reminders about the #dreamdriving journey. What else would you add to this conversation? *SUBSCRIBE TO "THE KEYS" NEWSLETTER: http://www.dreamsindrive.com/join *Follow Dreams In Drive on Social: *http://twitter.com/dreamsindrive *http://instagram.com/dreamsindrive *Follow Rana on Social: *http://instagram.com/rainshineluv *http://twitter.com/rainshineluv

It's my 33rd birthday and I'm reflecting on the many truths and (questions) in my life right now. Sharing the many lessons I learned over the past year and the many areas of life that I'll be exploring in this coming year. Most importantly, I want you to know you're not alone. Though we're all trying to figure out "what's next" - there's so much to look forward to along this #dreamdriving journey. *SUBSCRIBE TO "THE KEYS" NEWSLETTER: http://www.dreamsindrive.com/join *Follow Dreams In Drive on Social: *http://twitter.com/dreamsindrive *http://instagram.com/dreamsindrive *Follow Rana on Social: *http://instagram.com/rainshineluv *http://twitter.com/rainshineluv