PBºN Episode - 23

Written By Live Digital Box

Summary

The podcast episode features an interview with Ann Marie Cell, an award-winning business leader, global influencer, and advocate for women, minorities, and the environment. Ann Marie, born in Jamaica and raised in Pahokee, Florida, discusses her journey as an entrepreneur, her two businesses – The Mosaic Group (a marketing and PR agency) and Cannabiziac (an organization for cannabis industry education and training) – and her role as the first Black woman to chair the Palm Beach Soil and Water Conservation District. She also shares insights from her two books, "No Glory Without a Story" and "Chronicles of a Serial Dater," and reflects on her community involvement and personal achievements.

Key Topics

  • Jupiter Medical Center Sponsorship: The podcast is sponsored by Jupiter Medical Center, highlighting its top ratings for quality, safety, and patient experience, and announcing the new Johnny and Terry Gray Surgical Institute.

  • Ann Marie Cell's Background:

    • Born in St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica, and raised in Pahokee, Florida.

    • Her grandfather's migration from Jamaica to the US to work in sugarcane fields influenced her family's move.

    • Described as rebellious as a child, exhibiting early leadership traits.

    • Youngest of eight siblings, with an entrepreneurial mother who worked multiple jobs and side hustles (Avon, clothes/shoes, food sales to farmworkers), inspiring Ann Marie's early entrepreneurial spirit.

  • The Mosaic Group:

    • Full-service marketing, advertising, PR, and community engagement agency, celebrating 19 years.

    • Works with non-profits, government agencies (municipalities, county, school districts, state), healthcare, transportation, real estate development, and infrastructure.

    • Specializes in awareness campaigns, branding, PR, crisis communications, and emergency management.

    • Notable Projects:

      • Helped the City of Miami Gardens build the first virtual city in the metaverse, featuring 10 landmarks for global experience.

      • Currently working with Palm Tran on the "Let's Get on the Bus Challenge," encouraging public transit use among community leaders and residents to reduce carbon footprint and foster community interaction.

    • Client Challenges: Primary challenge is gaining visibility and encouraging people to care about and act on community-driven, impact-based initiatives (e.g., transit, education, economic development, community improvement projects).

    • Founding Story: Started the business at age 24 after being laid off from a real estate developer job, turning adversity into opportunity. Initial clients included Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge and Viking Yachts' Riviera Beach Maritime Academy.

    • Breakthrough Moments: Successful fundraising for the Loxahatchee Visitor Center (over $1 million raised) and handling logistics for an ABC Extreme Makeover build in Riviera Beach, leveraging her community network.

  • Cannabiziac:

    • Founded in 2020 during the pandemic to provide education and training for entrepreneurs entering or expanding into the cannabis sector.

    • Addresses the lack of access and opportunities for women and minorities in the cannabis industry, particularly in Florida.

    • Offers proper information, education, and business training (including business savvy and scaling) through a 16-week incubator program covering Cannabis 101, science, and opportunities in hemp, medical, and adult-use cannabis.

    • Emphasizes avoiding pitfalls, understanding regulations, and creating pathways for individuals impacted by past cannabis laws.

    • Operates virtually with on-demand and live online courses, networking events (webinars, book clubs, Cannabis Cafe).

    • Upcoming six-city "Get in the Biz Road Show" (Fort Lauderdale, Canada, New York, Arizona, Jamaica, Chicago).

    • Marketing Challenges: Restricted marketing due to federal illegality of cannabis, requiring grassroots efforts through specific organizations, cannabis media outlets, and cannabis-friendly platforms like LinkedIn.

    • Industry Outlook: Projected global industry revenue of $212 billion by 2032. Florida is the number one state for medical marijuana due to its large market share (Trulieve, Curaleaf, etc.).

    • Vertical Integration in Florida: Companies must manage the entire process "seed to sale."

    • Perception Shift: Aims to change the perception of cannabis, highlighting its medical uses (stress, anxiety, pain, cancer) and expanding beyond cultivation and retail to the entire supply chain (Professional Services, technology, etc.).

    • Standardization Issues: No standardization across states regarding taxation and testing, leading to challenges and hindering the regulated market (e.g., high taxes push consumers to illicit markets).

  • Author & Books:

    • "No Glory Without a Story: Stepping Out on Faith to Birth the Business Within": A collaborative book with other successful business professionals sharing entrepreneurial experiences, tips, ups and downs, and lessons learned to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs.

    • "Chronicles of a Serial Dater: A Journey Through the Good, Bad, Funny, and Steamy of Dating and Relationships": A memoir of true dating stories from teenage years to 30s, offering unisex dating tips and life lessons after each anecdote. Available on Audible (voiced by Ann Marie) and Kindle.

  • Palm Beach Soil and Water Conservation District:

    • Elected Supervisor, serving as Chair, and the first Black woman in this role.

    • Purpose: Helps the agricultural community (farms, nurseries) ensure best management practices for water conservation and soil health.

    • Provides funding and resources (e.g., irrigation system upgrades) and standards (fertilizers, soil testing) to the agricultural community.

    • Educates youth on natural resources in Palm Beach County through grants, taking 600-800 students annually to sites like Mounts Botanical Gardens and The Wildlife Refuge.

    • Importance of Representation: Addresses the underrepresentation of people of color in the environmental sector, often only engaged during environmental justice issues (e.g., pollution, industrial development near low-income communities). Aims to change perception and invite more diverse voices into environmental conversations.

    • Agriculture's Importance: Agriculture is Palm Beach County's second-largest economic engine ($1.9 billion industry) and Florida's second-largest economic driver after tourism. Produces various crops (lettuce, corn, peppers, tomatoes, rice, sugar). Faces challenges from weather, immigration laws, and conflicts with developers over land use.

  • Empowerment Initiatives:

    • Black Business Loop/National Black Economic Conference: Started in 2009 after discovering National Black Business Month. Aims to assess the state of Black-owned businesses, identify challenges and opportunities, and provide resources (e.g., insights on infrastructure, global markets). Annual event draws hundreds, going national/international virtually during the pandemic. Addresses historical disenfranchisement of Black and minority-owned businesses.

    • Black Girl Magic Global: Started around 2014-2015, riding the "Black Girl Magic" movement to highlight Black female excellence. Organized networking events for Black women to connect, share experiences, and find community.

  • Community Impact:

    • Driven by a "spirit-led" and "solution-led" approach.

    • Passion for community stems from growing up in Pahokee, where community members (especially women) volunteered their time (tutoring, starting girls' groups like "Girls to Women" which Ann Marie was part of) to expose young people to opportunities beyond their immediate environment. This inspired her to give back.

  • Personal Accomplishments & "Ultimate CEO" Award:

    • Recognized with numerous awards, including Florida Top 100 Women-Led Businesses, Power 250 in South Florida, and South Florida Business Journal's "Ultimate CEO."

    • The "Ultimate CEO" award was particularly impactful, received during a tough business day, evoking tears and a sense of surreal gratitude and humility. It affirmed her hard work and validated her place among top CEOs.

  • What's Next:

    • Continued focus on growing her two companies.

    • Hopes to retain her seat on the Palm Beach Soil and Water Conservation District board.

    • Launching a journal and movement called "Live Audaciously" and the "Audacious Movement Tribe" (AM Tribe) to encourage people to pursue dreams boldly.

Live Digital Box
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PBºN Episode - 24
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PBºN Episode - 22