{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"On The Mic with Sam Sylk","title":"Business Longevity Ft. Larese Purnell","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/927d4f02\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2831,"description":"Sam Sylk welcomes financial expert and community leader Larese Purnell of CLE Consulting Company and Real Black Friday to talk about his journey from working at 12 and initially pursuing pharmacy to falling in love with business, accounting, and finance. Larese shares how CLE Consulting has grown over a decade, employing nearly 20 people, and why partnership, industry involvement, and strong foundations matter for business survival. He breaks down common mistakes entrepreneurs make—moving too fast, lacking structure, not knowing numbers, and trying to wear every “hat”—and offers guidance on becoming bank/grant ready through credit, cash reserves, planning, and hiring experts. He reflects on lessons from COVID-related setbacks, the mission behind Real Black Friday, the importance of supporting Black businesses with grace, and the pride he finds in family, legacy, and service.\n\n00:00 Mic Check and Setup\n01:07 Podcast Intro and Guest Hype\n02:25 Brotherhood and Discernment\n03:21 Community Work and Giving Back\n04:13 Who Is Maurice Parnell\n04:55 Early Hustle and Values\n06:44 From Pharmacy to Finance\n08:11 A Decade of CLE Consulting\n09:12 Keys to Business Longevity\n11:16 Finding the Right Partner\n14:38 Preparation Over Hype\n16:31 Know Your Numbers and Build a Team\n21:44 Lessons From COVID and Contingency Plans\n24:06 Plan for Curveballs\n24:31 Real Black Friday Origins\n26:03 Childhood Businesses Saved Me\n27:38 Why We Doubt Black Business\n29:40 Give Feedback Not Dragging\n31:30 Bank and Grant Ready Steps\n33:48 Proudest Moments Family First\n38:44 Losing My Mother Lessons\n42:01 The Hidden Cost of Service\n44:37 Support the Leaders Too\n46:58 How to Follow and Wrap Up","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/qNjPUWks2wyvbms1u19XXNLgRFneTqLgtWEOJN59q18/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9kZmMz/ODkzYTlhZjRmOTBj/ZmNmMjM3MDA4MzAz/N2MwZS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}