Business in Blue

A Head & Heart Collision: National Civil Rights Museum

In celebration of Black History Month, we welcomed Dr. Russell Wigginton, president of the National Civil Rights Museum to the studio. Designated as both a Smithsonian Affiliate and International Coalition Site of Conscience, the National Civil Rights Museum is widely considered to be one of the premier heritage and cultural experiential museums in the world. The museum, which was constructed on sacred ground, serves as a place of remembrance and as a catalyst for positive social change. Listen in as Dr. Russ shares the origin story of this renowned establishment and how they are committed to furthering economic empowerment for future generations.
Proudly hosted by the Fogelman College of Business & Economics at the University of Memphis, the Business in Blue podcast aims to highlight success stories, expert advice, and of course, all things business in Memphis.
 
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Memphis’ Real-Life Willy Wonka: Phillip Ashley Chocolates

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it is seemingly fitting to welcome CEO & Founder of Phillip Ashley Chocolates, Phillip Ashley Rix. Not only has Phillip earned two James Beard Award semi-finalist nominations, been dubbed as Forbes real-life Willy Wonka, but his chocolates have also been added to Oprah’s Favorite Things list in 2020. Listen to Phillip’s journey about how a single 3 AM thought motivated him to become a self-taught master chocolatier and to now curate gifts for Hollywood’s elite at the Emmys, Grammys and Oscars.
 
Proudly hosted by the Fogelman College of Business & Economics at the University of Memphis, the Business in Blue podcast aims to highlight success stories, expert advice, and of course, all things business in Memphis.
 
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Timely and Timeless: The Evolution of Graceland

Put on your Blue Suede Shoes and tune into the Business in Blue Season 2 premiere featuring Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises. After an initial conversation with Priscilla Presley, Elvis Presley’s former wife, Jack took a leap of faith and developed a sustainable business plan to transform the “King of Rock and Roll’s” homestead into a historic museum. Listen as Jack shares first-hand experiences and insights about the legendary history of Graceland.
Graceland opened its doors to the public on June 7, 1982, four years after Elvis’s death and with the last $560,000 remaining in the estate. Now, a little more than 40 years later, Graceland has grown to a sprawling 120 acres, cultivating more than 23 million followers and offering interactive exhibits and luxury amenities such a AAA Four-Diamond resort hotel.  
Tune in to learn how Jack and his team prioritized authenticity while simultaneously implementing creative business advancements, to ensure that Elvis’s legacy remains timely and timeless.  
Proudly hosted by the Fogelman College of Business & Economics at the University of Memphis, the Business in Blue podcast aims to highlight success stories, expert advice, and of course, all things business in Memphis.
 
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YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHWYBZKwDGi0SrcTEdwzocz-xxIP0EDjy

The Power of Community: Campfire Collective – Season 1 FINALE

For the season one finale of Business in Blue, please give a warm tiger welcome to UofM alumna Shannon Briggs, founder & head trailblazer of Campfire Collective. As a former intern and full-time employee for our city’s favorite burger joint, Huey’s, listen in to hear how Shannon took am leap of faith to start her own marketing agency. In this episode, Shannon speaks to the triumphs of our Memphis community changemakers, discusses the power of community and how it’s positively impacted her business model.
This episode is sponsored by the Avron B. Fogelman Center for Professional Career Development (CPCD). As an exclusive opportunity for FCBE students, the CPCD helps prepare business students to stand out in a competitive job market and to succeed in today's dynamic global workplace by providing career readiness training, professional development workshops and networking opportunities with potential employers. To learn more or to get involved, please contact professional@memphis.edu.
The Business in Blue podcast is hosted by the Fogelman College of Business & Economics at the University of Memphis. This podcast highlights success stories, expert advice, and of course, all things business in Memphis.
 
Connect with us!
Instagram: instagram.com/uofmfogelman/
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Facebook: facebook.com/uofmfogelman/
YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHWYBZKwDGi0SrcTEdwzocz-xxIP0EDjy

Accountability Matters: Patrick Accounting

Joining us in the studio this week is Matthew Patrick, FCBE alumnus & president/founder of Patrick Accounting & Whirks. Matthew discusses the significance of goal setting and how, by implementing his suggested methods, you can achieve your personal and professional aspirations. In this episode, you will learn:
Parameters and time frames for goal setting
SMART & A1 goal setting methods
When to stop setting goals
This episode is sponsored by the Crews School of Accountancy. Our Crews School of Accountancy is proud to be nationally ranked #2 as the best online school for accounting and accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The AACSB is the world’s most recognized professional accreditation a university's business program can earn. To learn more, please visit memphis.edu/accountancy.
 
The Business in Blue podcast is hosted by the Fogelman College of Business & Economics at the University of Memphis. This podcast highlights success stories, expert advice, and of course, all things business in Memphis.
 
Connect with us!
Instagram: instagram.com/uofmfogelman/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/uofmfogelman
Facebook: facebook.com/uofmfogelman/
YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHWYBZKwDGi0SrcTEdwzocz-xxIP0EDjy

Equitable Entrepreneurial Opportunities for All: Office of Business Diversity & Compliance

Zanderia Davidson, director of the City of Memphis Office of Business Diversity & Compliance, sat down with our host, Carley Brown to discuss how her office assists local and minority/women-owned businesses. Her office’s primary objective is to ensure that opportunities are equitable and accessible to all. Listen in to learn more about “the best kept secret” in Memphis and how Zanderia’s team supports entrepreneurial pursuits. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur who has a new idea or a small business owner who is looking to expand, you do not want to miss this episode!
 
This episode is sponsored by the Fogelman Women in Leadership (FWL) student track program. On Thursday, Sept. 12, FWL is hosting the first Lunch & Learn of the 2024 fall semester. Nationally-renowned speaker and Certified Positive Intelligence Coach, Dorice Horenstein will share valuable professional insight on her professional journey. In this Lunch & Learn workshop, you’ll learn:
 The four most important professional relationships.
 Two techniques to ensure happiness & success.
 How to grow and nurture the balance between your health, career and relationships.
Lunch will be provided. To register for this event, or to learn more about all upcoming FWL events, please visit memphis.edu/fwl/events.
 
The Business in Blue podcast is hosted by the Fogelman College of Business & Economics at the University of Memphis. This podcast highlights success stories, expert advice, and of course, all things business in Memphis.
 
Connect with us!
Instagram: instagram.com/uofmfogelman/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/uofmfogelman
Facebook: facebook.com/uofmfogelman/
YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHWYBZKwDGi0SrcTEdwzocz-xxIP0EDjy
 

Meals Made Easy. Life Made Easy: Oh Grate!

Founders & owners of Oh Grate!, Amy Bingham and Courtney Jones, joined host Carley Brown in the studio to discuss their entrepreneurial journey in the food manufacturing industry. As busy moms themselves, they identified a need for ready-made, delicious, home-cooked meals. In this episode they talk about how they embraced change and pivoted accordingly; thus growing Oh Grate! From a foundling idea into a successful business model. By focusing on the needs of their target markets, they expanded their distribution strategies to ensure that their customers experiences are easy and enjoyable. Listen in to learn more!
 
This episode is sponsored by the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship. A vital part Memphis’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship develops young aspiring entrepreneurs into the community’s business leaders of tomorrow. Through workshops and programs, students gain entrepreneurial knowledge and skills to create start-ups and begin learning the process of building social, impact-oriented ventures from the ground-up. For more information regarding the Crews Center, please visit memphis.edu/crews.
 
The Business in Blue podcast is hosted by the Fogelman College of Business & Economics at the University of Memphis. This podcast highlights success stories, expert advice, and of course, all things business in Memphis.
 
Connect with us!
 
Instagram: instagram.com/uofmfogelman/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/uofmfogelman
Facebook: facebook.com/uofmfogelman/
YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHWYBZKwDGi0SrcTEdwzocz-xxIP0EDjy

Multigenerational Tiger Family Finds Entrepreneurial Success: Brim’s Snack Foods

For the first time ever, our host Carley Brown was joined in the studio by three guests Terri, Becki and Luke Brimhall. Their family’s multi-generational business, Brim’s Snack Foods prioritizes quality and fair value for consumers. Primarily sold throughout the Eastern United States, Brim’s is known for their pork rinds, potato chips, cheese puffs, popcorn, tortilla chips, churro twist, meat sticks and more. Listen in as this Tiger family discusses how selling 4/$1 Moon Pies on campus turned into a thriving snack food enterprise.
 
This episode is sponsored by the FCBE Master’s in Business Administration Programs. Our MBA Program is designed for ambitious full-time professionals who are driven to reach greater heights in their profession. Our Professional and Online MBA degrees are high-quality, price-competitive programs that can be earned in as little as 36 credit-hours. Our courses are taught by globally renowned faculty who combine cutting-edge curriculum with modern resources. For more information about our MBA programs, please visit, mba.memphis.edu.
 
The Business in Blue podcast is hosted by the Fogelman College of Business & Economics at the University of Memphis. This podcast highlights success stories, expert advice, and of course, all things business in Memphis.
 
Connect with us!
 
Instagram: instagram.com/uofmfogelman/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/uofmfogelman
Facebook: facebook.com/uofmfogelman/
YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHWYBZKwDGi0SrcTEdwzocz-xxIP0EDjy

The Value of Public Education: David Pickler, UofM Alumnus ‘85

This week, David Pickler, president & CEO of Pickler Wealth Advisors and UofM alumnus (’85) shares his experiential wisdom as a lifelong tiger and businessman. As the executive director of the American Pillars Education Foundation, David expounds his wealth of knowledge about public education. Listen in to learn how by focusing his actions to positively impact others he, ultimately, achieved a fulfilling and successful career.
 
This episode is sponsored by Department of Finance, Insurance & Real Estate. Offered online or on-campus, the 1220 Personal Finance course introduces students to the personal side of financial activity and analysis, while providing an additional perspective on other finance/accounting coursework taken at the University of Memphis. Students will have the opportunity to preview the FCBE Certified Financial Planner (CFP) course series offered for finance majors or minors and hear from professional athletes and how they organize their income.
 
The Business in Blue podcast is hosted by the Fogelman College of Business & Economics at the University of Memphis. This podcast highlights success stories, expert advice, and of course, all things business in Memphis.
 
Connect with us!
 
Instagram: instagram.com/uofmfogelman/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/uofmfogelman
Facebook: facebook.com/uofmfogelman/
YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHWYBZKwDGi0SrcTEdwzocz-xxIP0EDjy
 

Live for the Pivot: RSPorter Consultancy

Joining Carley Brown in the studio this week, is CEO & Managing Principal of RSPorter Consultancy & EMBA Alumnus ’16, Dr. Reginald Porter, Jr. In this episode, Reginald speaks to how he intentionally diversified his skill sets to maximize his professional growth; and by doing so, he positioned himself for lifelong success. Listen to Reginald’s journey about how he took the nontraditional path to become a c-suite executive and a “unicorn leader.”
 
This episode is proudly sponsored by the newly revitalized Executive MBA Program (EMBA), which will be relaunched in Fall 2025. Structured to complete in addition to a full-time job, the new EMBA program will follow an intensive 17-month, fall-to-fall timeline. The curriculum will embody the traditional 30-hour MBA courseload but will have a significant emphasis in executive leadership. All courses will be taught in a hybrid format, with four mandatory, in-person residencies. Students will also be paired with an executive coach for 1:1 mentoring throughout their time in the program. For more information, please contact Dr. Greg Boller at gboller@memphis.edu.
 
The Business in Blue podcast is hosted by the Fogelman College of Business & Economics at the University of Memphis. This podcast highlights success stories, expert advice, and of course, all things business in Memphis.
 
Connect with us!
 
Instagram: instagram.com/uofmfogelman/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/uofmfogelman
Facebook: facebook.com/uofmfogelman/
YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHWYBZKwDGi0SrcTEdwzocz-xxIP0EDjy