Podcast

Nicole Alicea, President and CEO of Brand NV, an integrated digital marketing, branding and advertising agency, discusses the integration of AI in marketing, emphasizing its benefits and limitations. She shares insights on how AI can enhance marketing strategies while highlighting the importance of human creativity and expertise. The discussion also covers the significance of understanding customer experience and aligning marketing promises with actual service delivery. Nicole encourages businesses to leverage AI effectively by developing a solid marketing strategy that reflects their brand’s unique value proposition. Takeaways: AI has permeated every aspect of marketing. You can’t rely solely on AI without expertise. AI can hallucinate and produce inaccurate information. Human creativity is irreplaceable in marketing. Understanding customer experience is crucial for marketing success. Marketing promises must align with actual customer experiences. Regularly updating marketing strategies is essential. AI can assist in creating marketing content but needs guidance. A solid marketing strategy helps leverage AI

Dottie Groover-Skipper, founder of the Heart Dance Foundation and a relentless advocate against human trafficking, substance abuse, and exploitation, shares her journey from corporate wellness to building a mission-driven nonprofit that supports vulnerable individuals in the adult entertainment industry. She offers insights into the challenges, strategies, and careful approach required to tackle this critical work. Covering sensitive topics, including sex trafficking and child abuse, this episode highlights the reality of exploitation and the power of advocacy to bring light into the darkest corners of our communities. Listener discretion is advised. Produced by David “Fingers” Bell and hosted by Nicole Valentin Alicea.

We’re thrilled to welcome back retired commercial banker, Cynthia Weiss, for a candid and insightful discussion about protecting your business from fraud. Cynthia shares five key practices that every small business owner should implement to safeguard their company, including tips on handling vendors, monitoring cash flow, and establishing clear financial controls. We explore real-life examples of fraud, from fake vendors to internal embezzlement, and provide actionable advice on how to prevent these situations from happening to you.

Anthony Koffman, Mission and Ethics Director at BayCare Health System, discusses BayCare’s rich history and legacy, and how Mission and Values guide daily operations—from business decisions to community programs. We also discuss ethics in healthcare, sharing stories of tough decisions regarding patient care, such as organ donation and end-of-life matters. Anthony also introduces us to BayCare’s four-quadrant ethics matrix, used to make tough decisions when faced with ethical dilemmas. Produced by David “Fingers” Bell and hosted by Nicole Valentin Alicea.

We had the privilege of sitting down with the incredible Linda Hurtado-Bond—an Emmy Award-winning journalist, best-selling author, breast cancer survivor, and mother of five! Linda opened up about how she juggles her high-profile career at Fox 13, writing thrilling novels, and raising a family, all while staying true to her passions. In this episode, Linda breaks down the entire process of getting your book published—from finding critique groups to landing an agent—and shares best practices for balancing it all. You won’t want to miss this inspiring conversation about following your dreams, getting your book published, and maintaining balance in a busy life! Produced by David “Fingers” Bell and hosted by Nicole Valentin Alicea.

In this captivating episode, Shane Combs, Ph.D., MBA, opens up about his transformation from running a million-dollar ad agency to guiding students at the University of South Florida. Host Nicole Valentin Alicea explores Shane’s journey of reinvention, leadership, and the new generation’s approach to values and work. Join us for an insightful conversation, produced by David “Fingers” Bell, that delves into entrepreneurship, purpose, and what it takes to thrive in an ever-changing world.

In this episode of Create Brand NV, host Nicole Alicea welcomes back employment law attorney Charlotte Fernee Kelly for an insightful discussion on women’s rights in the workplace, particularly surrounding pregnancy and lactation. Charlotte sheds light on critical laws like the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Pregnant Workers’ Fairness Act (PWFA), and the Pump Act, offering guidance on how these laws overlap and the accommodations employers must provide. Learn how to navigate complex workplace scenarios, ensure compliance, and protect your rights as an employee or employer. This episode is a must-listen for those seeking to understand the legal landscape of pregnancy-related workplace issues and how to foster a supportive and compliant work environment. Keywords: Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Pregnant Workers’ Fairness Act, PWFA, Pump Act, workplace accommodations, employment law, women’s rights, lactation rights, employee rights, FMLA, ADA, employer compliance, pregnancy-related laws, workplace discrimination, Florida employment law.

James Neely, SVP of KUDUCOM™, joins me to explore the intricacies of growing your company in a tech-centric environment with a remote and hybrid workforce. In this episode, we delve into three main areas: Adapting and Scaling Your Business: Discover best practices for adapting to remote work, scaling your business, and implementing effective hybrid workforce strategies. Learn how to recruit top talent remotely and maintain productivity in a tech-driven environment. Technical and Security Considerations: Understand the critical technical aspects of managing remote teams, including the use of Cisco WebEx solutions, voice over IP services, and contact center solutions. We also cover the importance of internet service providers for business and the latest in millimeter wave technology. Additionally, we address essential security considerations to ensure your data remains protected in a remote setting. Emotional and Management Challenges: Gain insights into the emotional considerations of remote work, managing remote employees, and achieving work-life balance. We

Michael Budensiek, owner of The Fit Effect, and Nicole Alicea of Brand NV discuss the business of gyms and fitness. They explore how prioritizing self-care can have a profound impact on all aspects of life, leading to greater success.

Sit down with Eric Parker, a Special Operations Combat Veteran with nearly 30 years of experience in the security industry. Eric’s impressive career includes military service, private security, high-threat contracting with Blackwater in Iraq and Afghanistan, and federal service with the Diplomatic Security Service as a Subject Matter Expert on High Threat Protection. Now the President of Vault Management Group, Eric oversees Red Variable Concepts, a security consulting and investigations firm, and founded the Select International Training Institute, where he trains elite executive protection specialists. In this episode, Eric shares exciting and sometimes frightening stories about his experiences overseas and how he transitioned to founding his own companies to fulfill his mission to train the next generation of security professionals. He also discusses the importance of mental health awareness and his dedication to supporting fellow veterans. Tune in for an inspiring and exciting conversation about courage, resilience, leadership, and the ever-evolving security industry.