B Student Podcast

Stephanie Bowman survived severe domestic violence, battled addiction, experienced homelessness with her two kids, and eventually lost custody of her children. But her story didn't end there. Today, she is the Founder and CEO of One Heart for Women and Children, an organization that feeds and supports over 20,000 people in Central Florida every single month.In this episode of the B Student podcast, host Ashley Billings sits down with Stephanie for a raw, honest look at what it takes to rebuild your life from nothing. Stephanie shares the daily realities of recovery, what it’s like to start a massive community movement with zero money or business plan, and the unbelievable, true story of how a stolen trailer unexpectedly became the catalyst for a million-dollar campaign.If you are going through a dark season, trying to launch a passion project, or just need a reminder of what human resilience looks like, listen to this conversation.What we discuss in this episode:The reality of escaping domestic violence and surviving on the streets with two children.Navigating addiction recovery, the foster care system, and finding the confidence to start over.How to launch a thriving nonprofit when you have no funding, no building, and no business plan.Breaking the stereotypes around food insecurity in Central Florida and helping those who need it.The wild story of the stolen trailer that completely changed the trajectory of One Heart.Time Stamps:(00:00) Meet Stephanie Bowman and the mission of One Heart for Women and Children(03:18) The Victory Cup journey and 11 years of persistence(06:42) Building relationships that fueled a million-dollar campaign(10:05) Feeding families with dignity and ending hunger in Central Florida(13:34) Escaping domestic violence and becoming homeless with two children(17:58) Addiction recovery, foster care, and rebuilding her life(21:27) Faith, mentorship, and finding the courage to move forward(24:56) Starting a nonprofit with no money, building, or business plan(28:31) The stolen trailer that unexpectedly changed everything(33:02) Serving 20,000 people a month and the realities of food insecurity(37:06) Breaking stereotypes about who needs help(40:02) Stephanie's message of hope for anyone facing their darkest season-----------------------------------Listen to more episodes of The B-Student Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.-----------------------------------Connect with our Guests at:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-bowman-8484998/?isSelfProfile=falseWebsite: https://bstephanie.com/Learn More about Winter Park Chamber of Commerce: https://www.winterpark.org/--------------------------------Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/

Tracy Liffey spent years helping launch some of the most iconic retail brands in the world, including Old Navy and PINK by Victoria's Secret, eventually overseeing creative teams of more than 100 people. But despite a highly successful corporate career, she chose to make a major pivot. Today, she is the founder of New General Café, a beloved clean food and coffee brand in Winter Park, Florida.In this episode of the B Student podcast, host Ashley Billings sits down with Tracy to talk about what it takes to leave corporate America and build a business from scratch. Tracy shares an honest look at the identity shift that happens when you leave a major job, the daily realities of entrepreneurship and working motherhood, and how to build a business that values community and connection over quick trends.Throughout this episode, Tracy shares:The realities of walking away from an executive corporate careerBehind-the-scenes lessons from launching global brands like Old Navy and PINKLearning a completely new industry from scratch and building New General CafeHow to listen to your customers and pivot when things get tough (including navigating COVID)The identity shift that comes with leaving a successful career to start overBalancing the demands of entrepreneurship with working motherhoodPractical advice for anyone navigating a major career transition or launching a small businessTime Stamps:(00:00) Welcome to The B Student Podcast(02:15) How New General became a community hub(05:30) Leaving corporate America to be more present(08:10) The original vision for New General Cafe(11:25) Listening to customers and pivoting fast(14:40) Creating healthier coffee and food options(17:55) Learning the food and beverage business(20:45) Building with community support in Winter Park(23:30) Navigating COVID as a small business(26:45) The reality of entrepreneurship as a working mom(30:10) Lessons from Gap, Old Navy, PINK, and Victoria’s Secret(33:20) Advice for women considering a career pivot-----------------------------------Listen to more episodes of The B-Student Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.-----------------------------------Connect with our Guest:LinkedIn: @tracy-brand-liffeyWebsite: https://www.newgeneral.us/Learn More about Winter Park Chamber of Commerce: https://www.winterpark.org/--------------------------------Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/ #BStudentPodcast #WinterParkFL #NewGeneral #WomenInBusiness #CorporatePivot #Entrepreneurship #OldNavy #VictoriasSecretPINK #SmallBusinessOwner #CareerTransition

Dr. Keith Whittingham joins Betsy Gardner for a masterclass on sharpening your curiosity muscle, building a life of learning, and leading with purpose. Keith is an Associate Professor at the Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business, the owner of Artifx Cafe, and the 2026 Chair of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce Board. In this conversation, he shares how his work in corporate sustainability and social responsibility led to a specialty coffee company designed to uplift coffee growers and their communities, and why shortening the distance between producer and consumer matters more than most people realize.You’ll hear the story behind Artifx Cafe, from annual MBA immersion trips to Costa Rica to the cloud forest community of Monteverde, where conservation, culture, and community are deeply intertwined. Keith breaks down “sustainable development” in a way that’s practical and memorable, using Costa Rica as a case study for how values-driven decisions can create long-term economic benefits. He also unpacks the real-world coffee supply chain, why farmers are often left with too little, and how new business models can create a more connected, more profitable, and more ethical path from farm to cup.Later, Betsy and Keith explore his unexpected career journey: a PhD in electrical engineering from Cornell, time at Bell Labs, an MBA at Rollins, and the twists that ultimately led him into business education, entrepreneurship, and community leadership. If you’re early in your career, navigating a pivot, or trying to lead with confidence in a world that’s moving fast, this episode is a blueprint for staying resilient, staying curious, and letting your values guide the way.Time Stamps:00:00 – Welcome + why curiosity is a career advantage03:45 – Meet Dr. Keith Whittingham (Rollins Crummer, Artifx Cafe, Chamber Chair)07:30 – What “sustainable development” actually means (in real life)11:15 – Costa Rica example: decisions that create long-term prosperity15:10 – Corporate sustainability: doing well while doing good18:45 – How Costa Rica trips led to Artifx Cafe22:25 – Monteverde + the cloud forest: community, conservation, purpose26:05 – Coffee “terroir”: why origin changes flavor (like wine)29:55 – The supply chain problem: why farmers get squeezed33:06 – Keith’s personal resiliency and mantra as “life does its thing"35:23 – How growing up as an American ex-pat led to Keith’s resiliency37:10 – Engineering PhD + Bell Labs to business professor and entrepreneur41:35 – Belonging + historic Chamber leadership moment and what it means44:47 – Final takeaways + where to find Keith and Artifx CafeConnect with Keith at: Website: https://artifxcafe.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithwhittinghamphd/-----------------------------------Listen to more episodes of The B-Student Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Like this video, subscribe, and comment your favorite London spot or what city has most transformed you.-----------------------------------Connect with Betsy Gardner:Website: https://www.betsygardner.com/ Learn More about Winter Park Chamber of Commerce: https://www.winterpark.org/--------------------------------Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/ Let me know if you approve and if it is set for launch.

What is luxury really — and who gets to participate in it? In this episode of the B Student Podcast, we sit down with Emily Williams, entrepreneur, tastemaker, and owner of Be on Park and co-owner of Z Properties to explore a modern, more human definition of luxury — one rooted in belonging, craftsmanship, meaning, and personal milestones.Emily has built an extraordinary career spanning fine jewelry, interior design, and women’s apparel. Her work has been featured in national publications and admired far beyond Winter Park, yet her philosophy remains grounded: luxury isn’t about price tags — it’s about intention.In this conversation, we cover:-How Emily bridged real estate, design, and fine jewelry into one cohesive vision-Why luxury is a signal of belonging, not exclusivity-The difference between something being expensive vs luxurious-How to build a “jewelry wardrobe” at any stage of life-Meaningful ways to mark milestones, from engagements to personal victories-Why craftsmanship, weight, feel, and story matter more than trends-How to invite luxury into your life without spending a dollarWhether you’re early in your career, building a business, or simply rethinking how you celebrate life’s moments, this episode offers a refreshing, empowering lens on living beautifully — on your own terms.Time Stamps: 00:00 – Welcome to the B Student Podcast01:05 – Meet Emily Williams: jewelry, real estate, and design03:10 – How her worlds of real estate, interior design and fine jewelry first connected05:45 – Self-belief over having a perfect entrepreneurial plan08:20 – Childhood roots of taste, style, and creative instinct11:00 – The pragmatism behind “pretty” luxury businesses13:30 – What luxury really means (and why it’s not about money)16:10 – Expensive vs luxurious: how to tell the difference18:45 – Luxury as belonging, identity, and personal meaning21:30 – Styling outside your comfort zone and breaking the rules24:10 – Building a jewelry wardrobe and marking milestones27:10 – Everyday luxury, rituals, and final reflectionsConnect with Emily at:Website: https://beonpark.com/ and www.zpropertiesinc.com----------------------------------Listen to more episodes of The B-Student Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Like this video, subscribe, and comment your favorite London spot or what city has most transformed you.----------------------------------- Connect with Betsy Gardner:Website: https://www.betsygardner.com/Learn More about Winter Park Chamber of Commerce: https://www.winterpark.org/--------------------------------Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/

Collaboration isn’t a soft skill. It’s a growth strategy.In this episode of the B-Student Podcast, Betsy sits down with Jill Vaughan, President & CEO of the Downtown Orlando Partnership, for a powerful conversation about partnership, leadership, and why choosing collaboration over competition changes everything.What begins as a discussion about working across organizations becomes a masterclass in playing the long game, building trust, and creating exponential impact without duplicating effort. Jill shares how intentional partnerships helped fuel the revitalization of Downtown Orlando and why saying “yes and” instead of guarding territory leads to stronger businesses, stronger nonprofits, and stronger communities.In this episode, we explore:Why collaboration is a smarter strategy than competitionHow partnerships help you scale without burning outLetting go of credit and focusing on collective impactPlaying the long game in business and relationshipsWhy mentorship, presence, and trust matter more than everHow to identify partnership opportunities hiding in plain sightDowntown revitalization, place-making, and community leadershipTurning disruption into opportunity after COVIDYou’ll also hear about the newly announced partnership between the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Orlando Partnership, designed to give small businesses and nonprofits expanded reach, visibility, and SEO value across Central Florida.Time Stamps:00:00 – Intro and why collaboration beats competition02:07 – First impressions, presence, and approachability04:01 – Playing the long game in business relationships06:03 – Letting go of credit to create greater impact08:05 – Partnership as a growth strategy, not a risk10:12 – Redefining community beyond geography12:18 – Overcoming fear, intimidation, and territorial thinking14:21 – Downtown revitalization and leading through disruption16:36 – Trust, mentorship, and exponential growth through partnership18:42 – The Winter Park + Downtown Orlando partnership announcement21:04 – What small businesses and nonprofits gain from collaboration23:02 – Final takeaways and invitation to lead collaboratively Connect with Jill at: Linkedin: @jill-vaughan-----------------------------------Listen to more episodes of The B-Student Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Like this video, subscribe, and comment your favorite London spot or what city has most transformed you.-----------------------------------Connect with Betsy Gardner:Website: https://www.betsygardner.com/ Learn More about Winter Park Chamber of Commerce: https://www.winterpark.org/--------------------------------Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/

In this special year-end episode of the B-Student Podcast, Betsy sits down with the producers behind the show, Carlos and Carolina Flores, founders of Hi Hello Labs, to unpack the power of podcasting, branding, and clear messaging in a noisy digital world.2025 has been the “year of millions” for the B-Student Podcast. Together, the team crossed a huge milestone of 1 million YouTube views in under a year. In this conversation, they go behind the scenes on how the show launched, why they shifted from monthly to weekly distribution, and how data, AI, and intentional branding turned a simple idea into a high-impact mentorship platform for the next generation.If you are a business leader, young professional, or creator who is curious about starting a podcast or sharpening your digital footprint, this episode will help you think differently about content. From teachability and honest feedback, to video-first podcasting, wardrobe and set decisions, and how to vet the right production partners, you will hear the real story of what it takes to build “hot content” that actually works.In this episode, we cover:The B-Student journey from idea to 1M YouTube viewsWhy podcasting is the new relationship-driven business toolHow Hi Hello Labs uses data and AI to guide content strategyThe importance of being teachable and open to feedback on cameraBuilding a digital footprint that truly reflects your expertiseWhy authenticity and high production value can coexistPractical first steps if you want to launch your own showTime Stamps:00:00 – Welcome + The Year of Millions03:10 – Why Podcasting Works for Modern Leaders06:25 – Introducing Hi Hello Labs09:40 – Honest Feedback, Trust & Becoming Camera-Ready13:05 – Authenticity, Generational Gaps & Mentorship16:30 – Early Traction: From Monthly to Weekly Episodes19:55 – Data, AI & Strategy Behind Podcast Growth23:20 – Teachability, Humility & Hiring Experts26:45 – Why Podcasting Is Replacing Traditional Media30:10 – The Chamber’s New Digital Model33:35 – Guest Impact, Charting Success & Global Reach37:50 – How to Build Your Digital Footprint + Final ThoughtsConnect with Carlos and Carolina at:Instagram: @carlosflores | @carolinadiplanflores | @hihellolabsWebsite: www.hihellolabs.com-----------------------------------Listen to more episodes of The B-Student Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Like this video, subscribe, and comment your favorite London spot or what city has most transformed you.-----------------------------------Connect with Betsy Gardner:Website: https://www.betsygardner.com/ Learn More about Winter Park Chamber of Commerce: https://www.winterpark.org/--------------------------------Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/