In this special birthday edition of BAM BizTalk, host Tina Townsend sits down with Angel Garcia, founder of BAM Ventures, to reflect on his journey as an entrepreneur, mentor, and community leader.

From his humble beginnings to building businesses that create impact, Angel shares personal stories, lessons in leadership, and his vision for the future of entrepreneurship in Midland and beyond. This intimate conversation dives into resilience, purpose, and the power of giving back—all while celebrating a milestone birthday.

Topics Covered:

1. Angel’s early beginnings and what sparked his entrepreneurial mindset
2. The pivotal experiences that led to founding BAM Ventures
3. The influence of family and mentors on his personal and professional growth
4. Lessons learned from challenges and setbacks along the journey
5. Building BAM Ventures into a “business sidekick” for entrepreneurs
6. The importance of community involvement and collaboration in business success
7. Insights on leadership, resilience, and long-term vision
8. The role of faith, values, and purpose in guiding his decisions
9. Celebrating milestones and personal achievements throughout his career
10. What’s next: Angel’s vision for the future of BAM Ventures and the local business ecosystem #BAMBizTalk #AngelGarcia #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessPodcast #MidlandTX #BAMVentures #FoundersJourney #CommunityImpact #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of BAM BizTalk, host Angel Garcia sits down with Devin Benavides, Director of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of the Permian Basin, to explore how transparency, community trust, and proactive leadership drive business success in West Texas.

From reshaping outdated perceptions of the BBB to discussing entrepreneurial values, nonprofit partnerships, and digital reputation management, Devin shares real-world insight on serving the business community and fostering integrity in a rapidly evolving market.

Topics Covered:

00:00 – Intro & Meet Devin

03:25 – Why BBB still matters in a digital-first world

08:40 – Rebuilding trust & reputation after bad reviews

12:55 – The most common complaint categories at BBB

17:30 – Ethics in entrepreneurship & leadership

21:40 – Empowering small business owners with resources

25:00 – What to do if your business is wrongly targeted online

30:10 – Partnering with nonprofits & workforce development

35:55 – Local impact: How the BBB serves the Permian Basin

41:20 – What integrity looks like in business today

46:00 – Advice for new entrepreneurs in West Texas

#BAMBizTalk #BetterBusinessBureau #WestTexasBusiness #EntrepreneurshipPodcast #SmallBusinessSupport #BusinessIntegrity #LeadershipMatters #PermianBasinBusiness #BBBInsights #BusinessGrowthTips

In this episode of BAM BizTalk, host Angel Garcia sits down with Karina “KJ” Johnson — entrepreneur, cancer survivor, and co-owner of Fuego Resto & Bar — to unpack her fearless approach to business ownership, resilience, and reinvention. From acquiring two businesses on the same day to launching an online party shop while undergoing chemotherapy, Karina’s journey is packed with bold pivots, lessons in mindset, and the power of betting on yourself.

Topics Covered

00:00 - Grounding Yourself & Introducing Karina Johnson

01:10 - Rebranding Fuego & Owning a Restaurant

18:00 - Returning to College as a Single Mom

25:00 - Finding Your Strengths as a “Generalist”

46:00 - Selling Posh Party Play & Starting Over

50:00 - Acquiring a Second Business in One Day

59:00 - Cancer Diagnosis & Launching New Ventures

1:04:00 - Nursing School, Chemo & Entrepreneurship

1:13:00 - Event Planning for Permian High Prom

1:19:00 - Karina’s Final Message: Move the Orange Cones

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or in the thick of growing your brand, this episode delivers real talk on building a legacy business — even in the face of the unimaginable. #BAMBizTalk #KarinaJohnson #EntrepreneurLife

#CancerSurvivor #BusinessPodcast #WestTexasBusiness #WomenInBusiness #BusinessResilience #StartupStories #OdessaTX #MidlandTX #FuegoResto #Happyish #BAMVentures