On The Mic with Sam Sylk

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.

00:00 Mic Check and Setup
01:07 Podcast Intro and Guest Hype
02:25 Brotherhood and Discernment
03:21 Community Work and Giving Back
04:13 Who Is Maurice Parnell
04:55 Early Hustle and Values
06:44 From Pharmacy to Finance
08:11 A Decade of CLE Consulting
09:12 Keys to Business Longevity
11:16 Finding the Right Partner
14:38 Preparation Over Hype
16:31 Know Your Numbers and Build a Team
21:44 Lessons From COVID and Contingency Plans
24:06 Plan for Curveballs
24:31 Real Black Friday Origins
26:03 Childhood Businesses Saved Me
27:38 Why We Doubt Black Business
29:40 Give Feedback Not Dragging
31:30 Bank and Grant Ready Steps
33:48 Proudest Moments Family First
38:44 Losing My Mother Lessons
42:01 The Hidden Cost of Service
44:37 Support the Leaders Too
46:58 How to Follow and Wrap Up

Creators and Guests

Host
Sam Sylk
Radio Legend, Entrepreneur and Restaurateur Sam Sylk Presents On The Mic, an extension of his already vast media reach to bring a different type of conversation than we usually get from him through other outlets.

What is On The Mic with Sam Sylk?

On the Mic with Sam Sylk is where real conversations happen.

After more than 30 years as one of radio’s most trusted voices, Sam Sylk brings listeners candid, engaging interviews with comedians, entrepreneurs, influencers, athletes, community leaders, and legendary R&B artists.

This is Sam in his rawest form—authentic, insightful, and unfiltered. Every episode delivers inspiring stories, behind-the-scenes moments, business insights, laughs, life lessons, and conversations that matter.

If you love great storytelling, powerful interviews, and genuine conversations with today’s biggest names and everyday difference-makers, pull up a chair and get On the Mic with Sam Sylk.

“Real Conversations. Real People. Real Stories.”