Marketers’ Community and TCC Presents: Real Talk Conversations

Speakers

Nancy Korsah, CEO of Black Business Enterprises LLC

Nancy was born and raised in Italy to Ghanian parents. While in Italy, her family was among the super minority living in a town that was 99.8% white, she struggled to find her identity and struggled to belong. When she moved to the US she was welcomed by the African American community that helped shape her and her views, this inspired her mission to help the community that welcomed her and inspired her. Nancy has a background in Aviation, Banking, DE&I and Recruiting, and starting several businesses of her own. Today she is the CEO + President of BBE. Black Business Enterprises (BBE) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization based in Minneapolis, M.N. Nancy and her team serve young entrepreneurs, small businesses, and low-income individuals seeking to start a business and improve their financial well-being.

Constantina Watters, Founder/CEO of Sproute Creative 

Constantina Watters is the founder/CEO and executive creative director of Sproute Creative, a strategic branding, creative and fractional leadership agency. She is also the founder of ​Barktique + Meow and co-founder of Elev8 Wellness. Constantina works alongside leaders, executives, business owners and creatives to lead and facilitate the launch of brands and elevate rebrands for both domestic and global companies. Her background in business and creative strategy lends her clients a unique perspective into creating a cohesive brand, with a focus on the complete branded experience – from inside the company, outside the company and through to the end customer.

Kurt Schmidt, President, Partner at Foundry, Author, and Host of Schmidt List Podcast

Kurt Schmidt is the president of Foundry (www.foundrymakes.com), a pioneering software company that serves a wide variety of B2B industries. He uses his management, leadership, and coaching experience to inspire career-focused people to grow in their day-to-day work. He is also the host of The Schmidt List—a podcast that has connected him with some prominent leadership minds. Kurt recently released his first book: The Little Book of Networking where he shares his framework of networking basics for professionals at any stage of their career. You can learn more about the book here  With decades of work experience, Kurt has learned the best-kept secrets for business success. Through his podcast, coaching, and other networks, he shares valuable wisdom and helps professionals to succeed. Tune into www.Schmidt-List.com to learn more.

David Edgerton Jr, Founder and Managing Principal at The DEJ Group

David Edgerton Jr is the owner and founder of The DEJ Group, a executive search firm that specializes in helping organizations source, screen, and hire qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds. David originally began The DEJ Group as a way to train minority entrepreneurs. Working part-time with a local nonprofit, David created a business development course to help these folks scale their businesses. He was also teaching MBA night courses at a local business school and working in corporate America. During the pandemic, David realized his own vision for a brighter future, and The DEJ Group was born in 2020.

Laura King, Moderator

Laura King leads the Marketing Search Practice at SkyWater Search Partners, the largest executive search firm in Minnesota based on placements and revenue. Laura has placed hundreds of marketing professionals in her career and loves matching great people with great opportunities. Personally, Laura is a proud mom to four boys and a wife to Brian, who took the leap into entrepreneurship last year, opening ROCK U music school in Woodbury. She knows a thing or two about how to turn dreams into reality in helping bring her husband’s dream into existence. Laura created Marketers’ Community in 2018 after she saw a void in the marketplace for mid to senior level marketing professionals to come together for events, workshops and peer groups