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DO GOOD X Podcast

DO GOOD X Podcast

By: Kimberly Daniel & Stephen Lewis
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 Welcome to the DO GOOD X Podcast – where purpose meets business, and the journey is just as important as the destination. Hosted by advocates for impactful entrepreneurship, Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis, this podcast creates a space for Black and Brown folk, especially Black women, navigating the intricate path of purposeful business. In this sanctuary, the hosts understand the challenges of entrepreneurship, and their mission is to help listeners transform doubt into confidence, fostering the growth of their dreams without sacrificing well-being. Embark on a transformative journey, discovering inspiration to fuel your passion for business. Shared experiences and stories act as beacons, nurturing you for the entrepreneurial road ahead. Navigate the challenges of being an under-resourced entrepreneur with practical strategies and resources in the Tools & Tips segment. Overcome obstacles and thrive in the purpose-driven business world. In the Mentorship segment, hear from seasoned guides who have successfully built businesses with a focus on social impact. Gain insights not only from the guests but also from hosts who intimately understand the unique journey of overlooked entrepreneurs. This podcast is more than a productivity machine; it's about slowing down to go further. Each episode invites listeners to exhale, reconnect with inner wisdom, and rediscover the power of community. Embrace the impact your business can make without compromising well-being. Leave feeling lighter, shedding stress, embracing self-compassion, and finding joy in the entrepreneurial journey. Gain actionable insights, learn from diverse perspectives, and expand your knowledge with tools for success, guided by hosts Kimberly and Stephen. Feel empowered, recognizing yourself as your greatest asset. Build confidence to develop and grow a viable, impactful business aligned with the needs of the community. About the Hosts Kimberly R. Daniel catalyzes entrepreneurs and organizations to do good. She is co-founder and project director of DO GOOD X, a community that provides programs and support for faith-driven social entrepreneurs whose businesses focus on positive Change. Kimberly also helps purpose-driven organizations clarify and design compelling brand and communication strategies. With over 15 years of experience developing and leading communications efforts, it is her commitment to produce effective processes and create authentic, “sticky” brands that are community-centered. In any aspect of her work, she is deeply passionate about purpose, meaning, and the common good. Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-r-daniel/ ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-r-daniel/) Stephen Lewis is the president of the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) and creator and co-founder of DO GOOD X, a community that provides programs and support for faith-driven social entrepreneurs whose businesses focus on positive change. He is an organizational change strategist and a leadership development specialist, focused on inspiring the next generation of faith-inspired leaders and entrepreneurs to live and work on purpose. Stephen is the co-author of Another Way: Living and Leading Change on Purpose (2020) and A Way Out of No Way: An Approach to Christian Innovation (2021). Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-lewis-8b1b941/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-lewis-8b1b941/)© 2025 DO GOOD X Podcast Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Second Business Success: Jay Johnson's Blueprint for Smart Growth

    Second Business Success: Jay Johnson's Blueprint for Smart Growth
    Apr 14 2026
    What happens when your own team votes down your next big idea? Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis of the DO GOOD X Podcast revisit their conversation with Jay Johnson, founder of College Prep U and co-founder of Prep Intel, to share the raw truth about launching a second business. Jay’s staff rejected his pitch to use company funds, and instead of overriding them, he listened. He invested a year in leadership development, empowering his team around sustainable growth. The result? College Prep U had its highest-grossing year without him, and Prep Intel launched debt-free through Techstars Investment and bootstrapping.What You Will Learn in this Episode:✅ How to know if your business foundation is truly ready before launching a second business, and why skipping this step can put your first company and your team building at serious risk.✅ Why letting go of control is one of the most powerful moves a founder can make, and how investing in leadership development within your existing company can lead to your highest-grossing year ever.✅ How to pursue business funding for a new venture without draining your first company, including how bootstrapping and applying to a business accelerator like Techstars can keep both businesses financially healthy.Join the DO GOOD X Community to access resources, connect with purpose-driven entrepreneurs, and grow your impactful business with intention.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Jay Johnson on second business growth, sustainable growth, and what expansion really requires for founders04:03 Jay shares his biggest challenge: deciding whether to fund his second venture using money from College Prep U05:52 Jay's team votes down his pitch, revealing a powerful stakeholder culture and the importance of letting go of control08:37 Jay commits to a year of leadership development, teaching his team to run the business independently before stepping away09:59 College Prep U hits its highest revenue year without Jay, and Prep Intel launches through Techstars and bootstrapping success12:53 Jay gives parting advice of having a firm foundationKEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 True business growth means building a team that can thrive without you. Jay's story proves that investing in your people before launching a second business is what separates sustainable founders from overwhelmed ones.💎 Rejection from your own team can be a gift. Jay's stakeholder culture created an environment where honest feedback protected both the company and the community it serves, ultimately leading to a stronger business strategy.💎 Business funding for a new venture should never compromise your first. Pursuing outside capital through a business accelerator like Techstars allowed Jay to launch Prep Intel without putting College Prep U or its team at financial risk.ABOUT THE GUEST: Jay Johnson is the CEO and Co-founder of Prep Intel, an AI- and ML-powered platform that helps educational institutions and military recruiters efficiently identify and engage prospective students. He is also the founder of College Prep U, guiding parents and students through the college-preparation process from high school through beyond.A Morehouse alumnus and certified Collegiate Independent Counselor, Jay is a former Fortune 100 executive who has served as a Senior Admission Counselor and chaired numerous committees. He currently sits on advisory boards for the University of Alabama, the Naval Academy, Clark Atlanta University, and the University of Pennsylvania. He serves as President of the Birmingham Chapter of the 100 Black Men of America.Jay is an Entrepreneur in Residence at Techstars and has been recognized through multiple prestigious cohorts, including Birmingham Business Journal's CEO of the Year finalist, Birmingham Business Alliance's Supply Scalers, and TechMGM's Tech Accelerator. He is also a proud member of NACAC and SACAC.Jay Johnson - LinkedInRESOURCES MENTIONED: DO GOOD X - WebsiteDO GOOD X Start Up AcceleratorDO GOOD X - LinkedInConnect with Hosts:Kimberly Daniel LinkedInStephen Lewis LinkedInDO GOOD X, Kimberly Daniel, Stephen Lewis, Entrepreneurs, Purpose-Driven Business, Second Business, Scaling A Business, Second Venture, Business Growth, Entrepreneurship, Small Business, Business Foundation, Leadership Development, Business Funding, Bootstrapping, Tech Startups
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    15 mins
  • Before You Scale Your Business, Ask Yourself These Three Questions

    Before You Scale Your Business, Ask Yourself These Three Questions
    Apr 7 2026

    Scaling a business is one of the most misunderstood milestones in social entrepreneurship, and this episode unpacks why. Hosts Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis explore what business growth actually demands, using a powerful real-world example of a founder who went from 37 students to 2,500 in a single year. That kind of rapid revenue growth exposes every crack in your systems, your team, and your mission. They walk through the critical questions every mission-driven business owner must ask before scaling, including what will break first, whether impact will get diluted, and how to build a plan before you need one.

    What You Will Learn in this Episode:

    ✅ What scaling a business actually means beyond revenue, including how rapid business growth can expose weak systems, thin margins, and over-reliance on the founder, threatening long-term business sustainability.

    ✅ How social entrepreneurs must evaluate whether scaling activity truly aligns with scaling impact, and why mission-driven business growth requires asking not just "can we scale" but "should we and when?"

    ✅ Practical business planning questions you can run this week to stress-test your readiness, including what breaks first if you double your revenue and how to protect team capacity and your mission.

    Join the DO GOOD X Community to access resources, connect with purpose-driven entrepreneurs, and grow your impactful business with intention.

    TIMESTAMPS:

    00:00 Scaling a business and what it truly means for social entrepreneurs seeking growth

    02:02 How rapid revenue growth exposed critical weaknesses for a founder scaling from 37 to 2,500 students

    03:05 Scaling a business magnifies thin margins, shaky systems, and dangerous founder burnout risks

    04:48 Breaking down key systems, including cash flow management, supply chain, and risk management

    07:01 Why social entrepreneurship means scaling impact, not just activity or revenue growth

    07:55 Three practical questions every founder should ask before pursuing any business growth strategy

    KEY TAKEAWAYS:

    💎 Scaling a business without strengthening your systems first is one of the most common and costly mistakes founders make. Doubling revenue without doubling your discipline can turn a promising growth moment into an overwhelming and chaotic experience.

    💎 For social entrepreneurs, mission integrity is not optional during growth. Expanding your reach while diluting your purpose defeats the very reason your organization exists, making intentional and values-aligned business growth non-negotiable.

    💎 Founder burnout is a real and underestimated risk when one person carries the weight of rapid expansion. Building checks and balances and distributed team capacity before scaling protects both the leader and the organization's long-term health.

    RESOURCES MENTIONED:

    DO GOOD X - Website

    DO GOOD X Start Up Accelerator

    DO GOOD X - LinkedIn

    Connect with Hosts:

    Kimberly Daniel LinkedIn

    Stephen Lewis LinkedIn

    Faith and Fortitude: The Journey of Jay Johnson

    SEO KEYWORDS:

    DO GOOD X, Kimberly Daniel, Stephen Lewis, Entrepreneurs, Purpose-Driven Business, Scaling A Business, Social Entrepreneurship, Business Growth, Revenue Growth, Mission-Driven Business, Founder Burnout, Business Systems, Impact Investing, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Small Business Strategy
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    13 mins
  • Jermail Shelton: How to Build a Sustainable Business that Stands the Test of Time

    Jermail Shelton: How to Build a Sustainable Business that Stands the Test of Time
    Mar 31 2026
    Sustainable business growth is at the heart of Jermail Shelton's nearly two-decade journey with Just Add Honey Tea in Atlanta. Co-owner Jermail joins hosts Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis on the DO GOOD X podcast to share how entrepreneurship, resilience, and a willingness to pivot have kept their business thriving. From surviving COVID by moving business operations online to scaling tea-blending classes to over 100 virtual attendees, Jermail's story is one of bold strategy and servant leadership. He also explores the power of mentorship and how open communication and community connection fuel both personal well-being and lasting success.What You Will Learn in this Episode:✅ How sustainable business growth is achieved through a willingness to pivot quickly and fearlessly, even during a crisis like COVID.✅ Why servant leadership and community building are not just values but practical business tools that attract loyal customers, corporate clients, and long-term opportunities for small business owners.✅ How mentorship rooted in honest communication and shared experience can help entrepreneurs break through isolation, overcome self-doubt, and build the resilience needed for lasting success.Join the DO GOOD X Community to access resources, connect with purpose-driven entrepreneurs, and grow your impactful business with intention.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction to Jermail Shelton, co-owner of Just Add Honey Tea, a thriving small business in Atlanta04:22 Jermail shares the ingredients behind nearly 20 years of sustainable business growth06:15 How a bold business pivot during COVID transformed in person tea blending classes into an online business09:49 Stephen and Jermail discuss the key ingredients of a successful mentorship relationship13:51 Jermail reflects on servant leadership, faith, grit and what truly drives his purpose in entrepreneurshipKEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 Business resilience is built by embracing change rather than resisting it. Jermail Shelton's ability to pivot Just Add Honey Tea during COVID, from a storefront-only model to a thriving online business with nationwide reach, proves that agility is one of the greatest assets a small business owner can have.💎 Servant leadership is not a soft skill but a growth strategy. Jermail's commitment to serving his customers, his community, and his mentees has directly fueled corporate partnerships, brand loyalty, and long-term sustainable business growth that spans nearly two decades.💎 The balance of faith and hard work is non-negotiable. Jermail believes that purpose-driven business success comes not from one or the other, but from the discipline to pray, plan, and then put in the work that most people are unwilling to do.ABOUT THE GUEST: Jermail is co-owner of Just Add Honey Tea Company, based in Atlanta, GA, along with his wife, Brandi. With a retail tea shop, online operations, and a wholesale division, Jermail oversees the company's off-site events and the wholesale department. His approach to life has always been to find ways to serve family, friends, and customers, building relationships one conversation at a time. With his deep love for people and community, he lives by the term Ubuntu, which means “I am because we are.” He has a strong desire to empower people to believe in their wildest dreams and goals, even as they stand up to their internal fears and self-doubts.Jermail Shelton - LinkedInRESOURCES MENTIONED: DO GOOD X - WebsiteDO GOOD X Start Up AcceleratorDO GOOD X - LinkedInConnect with Hosts:Kimberly Daniel LinkedInStephen Lewis LinkedIn
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    20 mins
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