CGM Lounge

Financing Your Start-up

Understanding your start-up financing options.

Business Licensing Requirements

Starting and running a business involves a myriad of legal and regulatory requirements. Among the most crucial aspects is obtaining the necessary business licenses and permits. These authorizations serve as your passport to operate legally and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.

Choosing A Business Structure

You've most likely encountered the task of choosing a business structure. With a bunch of options available, each with its own unique legal and tax implications, the decision-making process can be overwhelming. During this podcast, we dive into the world of business structures. Along the way, we'll address common misconceptions and provide practical guidance to help you select the structure that best aligns with your business goals, risk tolerance, and financial goals. 

How to write a business plan step by step

A well written business plan should include details about your business's goals, products or services and finances.

CGM Lounge (Trailer)

Season 5 Episode 1: Best Business Ideas

CGM along with co host Mike Pei breakdown the top 10 best business idea's. If you're trying to find the small business idea that's right for you, ask yourself the following questions: What are your interests? Where is there a need in the market, and how can your skills satisfy that need? Who is your ideal client? What is your ideal work environment?

You Can’t Be Prepared For Everything But You Can Be Prepared For Anything!

Proper preparation prevents poor performance. In this episode we will discuss how “Your New Year” starts by August 1st. If you've been following us for a while, you know we preach preparation, patience and implementation. By August 1, you should have your 2022 goals down and from August to December 31, put those plans in motion to get to January 1, 2022, with full momentum. As John Wooden would say, failing to plan is planning to fail. Prepare today for anything that can happen tomorrow.

Legal Lounge

Jay Burowsky deep dives into legal and tax advice.

Tax Tip Thursdays

As promised for this episode CGM would like to introduce you to Brown’s FC Accounting Firm! In The Spirit of the current uprising in entrepreneurship, we want to tackle those all-to-familiar questions and answers surrounding taxes, bookkeeping and formation types. Every Thursday get out your notebooks and get ready to receive some very important, exclusive, and valuable information from CGM Lounge correspondents Rose and Tara from Brown’s FC Accounting Firm.

Season 4 episode 1 introduction

This episode, CGM introduces its newest team member, Gloria Ross, and prepares us for what Season 4 has in store. Remember, attack the things you want because achievements aren’t coincidental.

Beauty is in the Eye of the Entrepreneur

Dom and Sam talk with CGM client and beauty industry entrepreneur, Roger Mudd about how COVID has affected the beauty industry. Roger and Sam share lessons learned and predictions for how the industry could change to prepare for the future. Follow Roger on social media @rogermuddhair

To Be Young, Gifted and Black

In the era of information and communication, young people have access to news like never before. Unlike past generations that relied on media sources like TV, radio and newspapers, young people today are receiving news in real time and from trusted sources like their friends, peers, athletes and musicians. In this episode Dom and Sam speak with, Zavier (18) and Safee (turning 19) about how their lives have been impacted by the recent coronavirus pandemic and police brutality.

What’s the Role of the Police?

By definition Police are sworn to defend and protect people by enforcing the law. But what if the laws they enforce are not designed to protect the liberty and justice of all people? In this episode Dom and Sam speak with officer “John” to discuss and investigate the business of policing.

Re-strategize, Recovery, Revolution

In the midst of the corona virus pandemic, George Floyd’s tragic death at the hands of the Minneapolis police has sparked a revolution to dismantle systemic racism in the U.S.. Larry Moore joins CGM cohosts Dom Landry and Sam Staten to discuss re-strategizing to recover. They dive deep into race and identity and ask who is prepared to be the leading voice of the revolution?

Tips from the Tax Man: Getting Your House in Order

Business might be slow right now but this is the perfect time to pause, organize and plan for the future. Tax guru, Steve Goldflam, shares some tips to plan your finances and turn obstacles into opportunities.

Branding in an Economic Meltdown

We’ve returned after a month long break to reconnect and share ideas and information to help entrepreneurs start and sustain their businesses. The covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on our economy with an aftershock that’s bound to last several months after quarantine ends. If you’re thinking of starting a new business or pivoting your existing business, you might be wondering how you can build a brand during an economic meltdown? David Simons joins us to share some important information abou...

The Science of Driving Traffic to Your Site

“A confused customer does not buy” Learn how to drive traffic to your site using leeds and PPC (pay per click). This episode features marketing experts, David Simons of Kingdom Social Media and Hasan Ali of Atlas Capital Enterprises.

Season 3: Episode 3–Marketing Monday- The Science of Driving Traffic to Your Site

“A confused customer does not buy” Learn how to drive traffic to your site using leeds and PPC (pay per click). This episode features marketing experts, David Simons of Kingdom Social Media and Hasan Ali of Atlas Capital Enterprises. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Moral Code and Big Business

On today’s episode CGM discusses Moral Code and Big Business, and do they coincide?

Cosmetology Services

CGM lounge is back with an exciting episode on Cosmetology Services. Tune in!

The Hiring Process

Tune in as Mr. Opara speaks on Customer Relations Management, and the tools used for the hiring process.

Tools for Grant Assistance.

This episode features Al Harris from Cancer Who Cares Center. Mr. Harris discuses the avenues taken to receive grants for a nonprofit.

Understanding Your Tax Liabilities as an LLC

This weeks podcast features Steve Goldflam. Tune in as he breaks down the Tax liabilities as an LLC.

Cash accounting vs Accrual accounting featuring Aqueelah Gilbert

On today’s podcast CGM features Ms. Gilbert to discuss the difference between cash and accrual accounting.

Inventory Management featuring David Gavin

This week’s topic is how to manage inventory. Tune in to David Gavin speaking on his company’s best practices.

Creating Business Culture

It’s Season 2 Episode 6. This week’s blog discusses how to Create business culture. It’s featuring Latosha Cheatham. Enjoy!

Season 2 Episode 5 Price Talk

Our segment touches on how content drives sales. This Episodes features Dom Cucinotta.

Communicate with Sales

Season 2 Episode 4 featuring Ari Vasquez.

Season 2 Episode 3: Free Apps, Millions to Gain

Season 2 Episode 3 features Raygrid Calderon as she speaks on her being spiritually sparkled, and what that means for the Brand she has created.

Season 2 Episode 2 The Secret Sauce to Branding featuring Ebun Olaloye

How consistent communication can improve brand identity.

Season 2 Episode 1 Branding with Maurice Bowman

In this episode we discuss the essentials for branding. Maurice takes the time out to explain his strategies, and what has work best for him.

Episode 20: Support Black Owned Businesses

African American consumers spend approximately $850 billion dollars but of that only about 10% is spent at Black owned businesses. In this episode we are joined by Jennifer Ingram and Alexandra McFadden to talk about the importance of supporting black owned businesses and the politics of where money is spent.

Episode 19: Techonology

We're living in a time of accelerated technology that helps to simplify, expedite and enhance the work of solo entrepreneurs and small businesses. Need help with project management or organizing your social media? There's an app for that! Technology is evolving so fast that its like a moving target, changing each day. These changes can have an impact on your business. For example, when a free website platform you've been using to sell t-shirts suddenly requires payment or a membership. We als...

Episode 18: External Forces - How Policy Affects Business

Does politics affect the market? On today’s episode we talk about external forces in the market and how policies can help and harm business. With Philadelphia’s primary election on Tuesday, we speculate on local politics and the importance of voting.

Episode 17: All's Fair in Love and Business

In this episode we talk about competition in business and what that actually means. Where do competitors come from and why is it important to know who your competitors are? We dive into a case study of one of Linda's many business ideas, and of course Dom shares some gems of wisdom. 

Episode 16: The Economics of Gentrification

 Today on the CGM Lounge podcast, we're talking about supply, demand and market elasticity. The Law of Demand states that when the price of a good rises, people buy less of it and when the price of a good falls, people buy more. But this isn't necessarily true for all things especially when other forces are at play. Dom speaks with Matt Monroe, a Real Estate Lawyer and founder of Monroe Law, about the forces driving the real estate market and potential displacement of low income residents as...

Episode 15: Execution- Idea to Execution

Meet Octavia Phillips, founder of Touch of OShea Natural Skin Care. Octavia has been making natural products for several years and formed her LLC with us in 2016. Since then we’ve been following her journey as she has taken an idea and executed it to create a thriving business. This didn’t happen over night, it happened in steps. In this episode, Octavia talks about what it takes to live your purpose and take your idea to the next level. Her story and her body butters will melt your heart.

Episode 14: The Business Model Canvas

We’ve all heard of a business plan but in this episode we do a deep-dive into the business model canvas. A business plan conveys the idea of the business in a multi page document but the business model canvas lays out what is needed for operations to start up and keep your business going. In this episode, Dom guides Linda through a business plan canvas for her newest fake business venture, “A Smashing Good Time”. Listen while you fill out your own business model canvas online at https://canva...

Episode 13: When Passion Meets Purpose

Meet Jen Hope, an attorney of 10 years who left the legal world to follow her passion through making puzzles! Today Jen is the Owner and Operator of Puzzle So Hard, a company that has taken the game world by storm with puzzles featuring designs by international artists. Jen’s passion is matched by her determination as you’ll hear in this episode.

Episode 12: Non-profit vs LLC

If you’re starting a business that has a social impact, you’re probably wondering if you should form a nonprofit. In this episode, we’ll share some of the major differences between nonprofit and LLC formation to help you make the most informed decision. 

Episode 11: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

A special mini episode dedicated to teamwork. Featuring Dominique Landry, James Burks and Sherman Washington, fo-founders of Common Ground Management. Hosted by: Linda Fernandez

Episode 10: Quantifying Results

In this episode Dom talks about quantifying results using three measurements: time, effort and money to inform your business decisions.

Episode 9: Iteration

No matter what industry you’re in, iteration is an important part of the life cycle of a business. In this episode Dom speaks with Kahiga Tiagha, Founder of The Item. The Item offers training and resources to new techies, career professionals and entrepreneurs, providing them with marketable and practical technology skills. Kahiga shares how his company went from being a “meet up” group to a company that provides training and educational programing- all because of market demand and iteration!

Episode 8: Proof of Concept

When launching a new business, how do you know if consumers will like your product or services? In this episode, we talk about proof of concept, testing out an idea or a product to see how consumers will react. Our guest, Tenaj Ferguson, Founder of Lady Epicure Foods breaks down proof of concept, dispels myths and shares how you can test something before your product hits the market. 

Episode 7: Self Care & Mental Health

Owning and operating a business requires you to perform at your best each and every day. This can be both physically and mentally exhausting, so its important to make time for self care. In this episode LaTonya McCurry of LaTonya McCurry Counseling Services and Jennifer McPherson of McPherson Clinical and Consulting Services, share advice on how to maintain healthy habits and avoid burn out. 

Episode 6: Supply Chain Management

CGM Co-Founder, Dominique Landry, talks about the importance of understanding your supply chain management and marking your tracks. Whether you own a food cart or an online clothing company, supply chain management is essential to business survival. 

Episode 5: Eat What You Catch

In a world where people have a shorter attention span than a goldfish, its important to know how to market your goods or services. Marketing is a lot like fishing, you eat what you catch. David D. Simons of Kingdom Social Media breaks down the do's and don'ts of social media marketing. 

Episode 4: Growth by Reduction

Alycia Kinchloe Esq. of Kinchloe Law and The Growth Goal Podcast, and Felicia D. Harris of Hi Touch Inc., talk about how they started their own businesses while working full-time jobs. This episode focuses on how to grow your business by reducing costs from parking tickets to printing, there are many great tips for all the solopreneurs.

Episode 3: Understanding Your Numbers

Chris Talley joins us to talk about understanding your numbers. What’s a fixed vs. a variable expense, and how to separate your personal from your business expenses. He also shares common budgeting mistakes businesses make.

Episode 2: Money Talk /Taxes Part Deux

Rayce Rollins shares some of his favorite bookkeeping apps as well as more tips and best practices for tax prep.