The FIRM Podcast

Brandon Quintanilla also known as BQ is an entrepreneur, and the man behind EMLN Exclusive, Any Given Bars, and San Jose’s beloved Culture Night Market. In this episode of the FIRM Podcast, BQ talks about his work ethic, building multiple brands, and how community plays a role in everything he does.Recorded from the EMLN Studio in Downtown San Jose, this is episode 15 with BQ.

Tricia Creason-Valencia is an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker, a storyteller, teacher and mentor. In this episode of the FIRM Podcast, we talk about Tricia’s filmmaking journey, her intentions when producing projects, and the importance of telling and owning your own stories.  Disclaimer: This episode was recorded in April 2023, before I took a hiatus to focus on the San Jose Is Not For Sale project. WATCH: Stable Life - https://vimeo.com/674641693?share=copyNominated for a Northern CA Emmy, Documentary Category, 2014Winner “Best Documentary” at Cinequest“Jury Prize” at Cinefestival San AntonioAired on KQED Television’s Truly CA series and national broadcast on “America Reframed”/World Channel 

Haley Cardamon is the Executive Director and Founder of San Jose Day, an annual festival that celebrates the arts and culture of San Jose every April. In this episode, Haley shares her journey in building the festival, its growth over the years, and what’s in store for this year's 7th annual event. Plus, a special guest makes an appearance — Barry, our roommate’s cat, drops by towards the end.Hope to see you at the 2025 San Jose Day!Chapters00:00 Introduction to Podcasting and Sound Check04:02 The Birth of San Jose Day10:07 Event Production Journey and Community Engagement16:04 Growth and Evolution of San Jose Day22:13 Building a Collaborative Team29:46 Challenges in Event Production38:41 Navigating Doubts and Responsibilities41:21 Finding Motivation and Overcoming Challenges46:45 The Role of Community in San Jose Day52:58 Cultural Identity and Validation55:03 Recognition and Its Impact01:00:09 Innovations for San Jose Day 202501:06:42 Personal Growth Through Community Engagement

The Youth Liberation Movement's mission is to liberate young people from the cycle of generational trauma and oppression by translating their lived experiences into actionable solutions. In this second conversation with YLM, Angie, Meyia and Angel talk about building a youth-led grassroots organization from the ground up, projects that the organization have been working on, and their hopes for YLM's future and the future of our community. If you haven'y listened to the first part of this conversation, please go back to last week's episode for more context. To close out this first season of the FIRM Podcast, this is part two of our finale with Angie, Meyia and Angel from the Youth Liberation Movement. San Jose youth want a seat at the table (San Jose Spotlight article)

The Youth Liberation Movement aka YLM is a group of young leaders who aim to improve San Jose’s approach to housing, education, mental health and criminal justice by partnering with local institutions.  Full disclosure, this episode is a two-part conversation with some of the young leaders. In this first part, I speak with Angelina, Meyia, and Angel about growing up in San Jose and some of their lived experiences that led them to the work they do now with the Youth Liberation Movement. To close out this first season of the FIRM Podcast, this is part one of our finale with Angie, Meyia and Angel from the Youth Liberation Movement. San Jose youth want a seat at the table (San Jose Spotlight article)

Gabby Horlick is the drummer and band leader for the 7th Street Big Band. In this episode of the FIRM Podcast, we talk about her musical journey, building the 22 piece 7th Street Big Band, and what’s next to come from the group. So without further ado, here's episode 11 with Gabby Horlick.

Jason, Ave, and Brian are brothers, graphic designers and the owners of Jubo Clothing. In this episode of the FIRM Podcast, they talk about how their mom introduced them to entrepreneurship, creating their own path with Jubo, and opening their new storefront, Coldwater in Japantown San Jose, CA.

Local Color is a woman-powered 501 (C)(3) Non-profit building multifaceted opportunities that keeps creatives engaged, employed and active in the community. In this episode of the FIRM Podcast, we talk about their journeys leading to Local Color, their work, and the recently launched Local Commons program.  From the Digital Underground, this is episode 9 with Erin, Carman and Haley from Local Color.

Jordan, JR, and Don are barbers, educators, and creative entrepreneurs. In this episode, we talk about their journey of opening two Paradox Barbershops, the value of building a solid team, and educating the next generation of barbers.

Ratha Nou is a multi-disciplined, multifaceted creative entrepreneur. In this episode of The FIRM Podcast, Ra talks about how his passion for hip hop and dance carried over throughout his life, positioning himself to learn, and building Stablished Projects, his motion design, animation, and overall creative studio. You can follow Ra and his work at stablabs.com, on Instagram @ra_stablished and @stablishedprojects, and his YouTube channel Stablished Projects.

Be’Anka and Jeronica are sisters and the founders of Nirvana Soul, the newest and hottest coffee shop in Downtown San Jose. In this episode of the FIRM Podcast, they talk about where their passion for coffee stems from, opening Nirvana Soul in the midst of a global pandemic, and what their vision is for the future. So without further ado, this is episode 6 with Be’Anka and Jeronica AKA #Jeranka of Nirvana Soul. You can follow Nirvana Soul on their website NirvanaSoulCoffee.com Instagram and Facebook @nirvanasoulcoffee Twitter @NirvanaSoulSJ

Michael Yim is a mechanical engineer by practice and an entrepreneur. Mike and his partner, Jon, founded Aggregate Watches and Hatch Duo, a product design consultancy where they help startups bring their product ideas to market. In this episode, Mike talks about how he got into engineering, the development of Aggregrate’s concrete watch, and rediscovering himself as more than an engineer, but as an entrepreneur. Follow Mike and his work at HatchDuo.com (@hatch.duo) and AggregateWatches.com (@aggregate_watches).

Alex Knowbody is a photographer whose work ranges from family portraits to the San Jose Earthquakes, but it’s his personal photography that really stands out because it exemplifies the city. In this episode, Alex talks about his challenges with owning a business, some dope opportunities he got to be a part of, and whats next to come. Follow Alex and his photography on Instagram @alexknowbody and on his website alexknowbody.com

Arely Cardenas is an artist whose work is a representation of the impactful women in her life. In this profound conversation, she talks about what inspires her paintings, community, and No Words, Action Only.  

Ryan Mante is an entrepreneur, creative and brand builder. His first brand, Breezy Excursion, was a huge success, and at the time, inspired a new wave of San Jose small business owners. Shit, he inspired FIRM. In this episode, Ryan talks about how his mother influenced his entrepreneurial spirit, previous ventures, and what it takes to sustain a business. 

Lindsay Dabalos is a hairstylist, makeup artist, barber, and educator, A.K.A. a Transformation Specialist. In this episode of the FIRM Podcast, Lindsay talks about using this COVID lockdown to focus on her spiritual hygiene, being a forever student, and the manifestation of her own intimate transformation workspace.

Welcome to the FIRM podcast. In this first season, I sit down with San Jose entrepreneurs and creatives to talk about life, their inspirations, and come-up stories. I'm excited for this first season because during this time, with a global pandemic in the forefront, we can all use a little encouragement to get us through. My goal for this podcast is to inspire folks to chase their passions. The guests on this show embody the fabric that makes up this beautiful city, and I can't wait to share their stories with you all. The FIRM Podcast is presented by Forever In The Right Mind. You can find out more about the show on Instagram @firmpodcast or @foreverintherightmind. Check out our website at foreverintherightmind.com for more episodes and other cool content. This was recorded at FIRM Studio in San Jose, CA. The music and engineering was provided by Cisco Cortez. I'm Michael Cabana, and thanks again for listening to the FIRM Podcast. Please don't forget to rate, comment and subscribe. I would love your feedback.