STL Hustle Insider

STL Hustle Insider is the podcast spotlighting the people, businesses, creatives, nonprofits, and community builders moving St. Louis forward. Hosted by Cortez Hustle, this show goes behind the scenes with local entrepreneurs, small business owners, community leaders, artists, organizers, and everyday builders who are creating impact across the city. Each episode explores the story behind the work, the St. Louis connection, the lessons learned along the way, and the ways the community can support what is being built. This is more than a podcast. STL Hustle Insider is a local media platform created to document the real hustle, real impact, and real stories shaping St. Louis from the inside out. Subscribe, share, and nominate someone we should feature. STL Hustle Insider The people, businesses, and movements building St. Louis.

STL Hustle Insider is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts STL Hustle Insider, a business show with 0 episodes published.

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  Episode #9

  Rahn Williams on Food Safety, Brand Standards, and Building Black Excellence Through Systems

  Aug 20, 202644 min

  Rahn Williams on Food Safety, Brand Standards, and Building Black Excellence Through Systems A good business does not grow by accident. It grows when the systems, standards, people, and leadership are strong enough to operate beyond the owner. In this episode of STL Hustle Insider, Cortez Hustle sits down with Rahn Williams, founder of Stokeswill Consulting, for a conversation about food safety, restaurant operations, brand standards, Black excellence, community networking, and the systems that help businesses grow. Rahn shares his St. Louis story, from growing up with chronic allergies and asthma, using creativity as an outlet, graduating from Hazelwood East, attending Southeast Missouri State, and learning from early experiences that shaped his worldview. The conversation then moves into business, where Rahn explains how working with his father in McDonald’s operations helped him understand systems, leadership, people, and the difference between working in a business and working on a business. Today, through Stokeswill Consulting, he helps food service entrepreneurs, restaurants, and community partners strengthen operations, meet food safety requirements, improve brand standards, and build toward growth. In This Episode Cortez and Rahn talk about: Who Rahn Williams is Stokeswill Consulting and the work Rahn does Growing up in St. Louis and graduating from Hazelwood East Living with chronic allergies and asthma Creativity as an escape through writing, short stories, drawing, poetry, and hip-hop Touring as a spoken word artist and releasing music How his mother helped him stay on track in school despite missing days because of illness Attending Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau Experiencing racism in North County and Southern Missouri Hazelwood East, Black awareness, and the Black Awareness Support Group How exposure to African students helped expand Rahn’s worldview Working for his father at McDonald’s Why he did not appreciate restaurant work at first Learning leadership through management Seeing McDonald’s from a district-manager-level view Why business is about leadership and people How McDonald’s taught him the power of systems Why restaurant owners need systems that work when they are not there Rahn’s role as a ServSafe instructor and proctor Food handler, food manager, and alcohol certification Why certification is only one part of real food safety What customers should look for when entering a restaurant Why smaller restaurants need checks and balances Why outside evaluations can help restaurant owners improve and grow The role of brand standards in customer experience Parking lots, windows, greetings, uniforms, order accuracy, service, restrooms, and timing Why brand standards are more than food safety Rahn’s Top Five STL restaurant picks Stokeswill Community Partners Networking Event Rahn’s business collective and community partnerships How to connect with Stokeswill Consulting Key Takeaways Systems allow a business to operate even when the owner is not physically present. Food safety certification matters, but the real work is putting food safety into daily practice. Restaurant growth requires checks, balances, evaluations, training, leadership, and accountability. Owners should not be trapped in every operational role forever. Their job is to build, expand, and improve the business. Brand standards begin before a customer ever tastes the food. Clean windows, parking lots, greetings, uniforms, restrooms, order accuracy, and service timing all shape the customer experience. Black excellence in business is not just talent or ambition. It is standards, systems, consistency, leadership, and community connection. Community partnerships can help entrepreneurs share resources, build networks, and create more opportunities together. Featured Guest Rahn Williams Founder, Stokeswill Consulting ServSafe Instructor / Proctor Food Safety, Brand Standards, and Restaurant Operations Consultant Rahn Williams is a St. Louis native, Hazelwood East graduate, creative, spoken word artist, hip-hop artist, consultant, and founder of Stokeswill Consulting. Through Stokeswill Consulting, Rahn helps food service businesses and entrepreneurs strengthen food safety practices, complete certifications, improve operations, evaluate brand standards, and build systems that support growth. Guest Links Stokeswill Consulting: https://stokeswill.com Phone: 314-348-8833 Resources Mentioned Stokeswill Consulting ServSafe ServSafe Food Handler ServSafe Manager ServSafe Alcohol McDonald’s McDonald’s University Southeast Missouri State University / SEMO Hazelwood East High School Granemann Elementary School Vocational Rehabilitation Black Awareness Support Group Soul Vi Poetry Collective Kathy’s Kitchen Elicious Restaurant St. Louis Fish & Chicken Chicago Fish & Chicken Miami Grill Stokeswill Community Partners Networking Event Upward Bound 100 Black Men SLU / Saint Louis University Just Five Custom Merchandise Markets Shot by Derrick 100 American Dreams Harvest Time Farms and Fellowship Episode Sponsors STL Virtual Resource Center https://stlouishustleinsider.com/vrc Interested in sponsoring STL Hustle Insider? Visit: https://stlhustleinsider.com/become-a-sponsor Music Attribution Music featured during the break: https://the3kngz.bandcamp.com/track/see-me-prod-by-cry-story Chapters Note: Chapter timestamps are estimated and capped under the full 45-minute show length, including intro, outro, and commercials. Please adjust to match the final edited audio export. 00:00 - Welcome to STL Hustle Insider 00:45 - Who is Rahn Williams? 01:30 - Stokeswill Consulting and Rahn’s St. Louis roots 02:30 - Growing up with allergies, asthma, and creativity 04:30 - Writing, poetry, hip-hop, and creative escape 06:00 - Hazelwood East and Black awareness 08:00 - SEMO, college life, and growing up 10:00 - Racism, standing up, and life lessons 13:00 - Break and music from Rahn Williams 14:00 - Transitioning into business 15:00 - Working in his father’s McDonald’s 17:00 - Learning leadership and people management 19:00 - McDonald’s systems and business operations 21:00 - Stokeswill Consulting and ServSafe training 23:00 - Food safety certification and daily practice 25:00 - What to look for before eating at a restaurant 27:00 - Why mom-and-pop restaurants need checks and balances 29:00 - Getting owners out of the store 31:00 - Brand standards and customer experience 34:00 - Why systems support online branding 36:00 - Rahn’s Top Five STL restaurants 38:00 - Stokeswill Community Partners Networking Event 41:00 - Just Five and community business shoutouts 43:00 - How to connect with Rahn Williams 44:30 - Closing words from Cortez Hustle About STL Hustle Insider STL Hustle Insider is a St. Louis podcast and local media platform hosted by Cortez Hustle and owned by iHustle Media Group LLC. The show spotl...

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  Episode #8

  Osunlade on Yoruba Records, Afro House, AI & Protecting the Soul of Music

  Aug 13, 202652 min

  Osunlade joins STL Hustle Insider for a wide-ranging conversation about music, St. Louis, ownership, soul, and creative evolution. He talks about growing up in North St. Louis, being adopted and raised as an only child, finding music as his outlet, learning piano at seven, attending Beaumont, playing in bands, being influenced by funk and Prince, and eventually leaving St. Louis for Los Angeles. Osunlade also discusses working with major artists, moving through the traditional music industry, realizing that major-label pressure was pulling him away from his own sound, becoming a Yoruba priest, launching Yoruba Records, and building a label rooted in ancestral reverence, spirituality, soul, and independent ownership. The episode also explores AI in music, stem separation, remixes, DJ culture, how technology is changing music, and why human musicianship, mistakes, live instruments, and emotional interpretation still matter. Featured Guest Osunlade Founder, Yoruba Records Musician, Producer, DJ, Artist, and Creative Osunlade is a St. Louis-born musician, producer, DJ, artist, and founder of Yoruba Records, a label founded in 1999 specializing in deep soulful house. His career has taken him from North St. Louis to Los Angeles, New York, London, Milan, Croatia, Australia, and stages around the world. Through Yoruba Records and his own creative work, Osunlade has helped shape and influence the sound and movement now widely connected to Afro House, soulful house, spiritual music, and global dance culture. Guest Links Yoruba Records on Bandcamp: https://yorubarecords.bandcamp.com Yoruba Soul on Bandcamp: https://yorubasoul.bandcamp.com Instagram: @yorubasoulofficial TikTok: @yorubasoulofficial Twitch: Yoruba Soul TV MixedCloud: Search “Osunlade” Streaming platforms: Search “Osunlade” Upcoming album: Neon Box Documentary: Big Giant Wave About STL Hustle Insider STL Hustle Insider is a St. Louis podcast and local media platform hosted by Cortez Hustle and owned by iHustle Media Group LLC. The show spotlights the people, businesses, creatives, nonprofits, leaders, entrepreneurs, and movements building St. Louis from the inside out. Through real conversations and local storytelling, STL Hustle Insider brings attention to the builders, visionaries, and community movers shaping the future of the region. Subscribe, recommend a guest, sponsor the show, or stay connected at: https://stlhustleinsider.com Legal Disclaimer STL Hustle Insider is produced and owned by iHustle Media Group LLC. All show content, including video, audio, graphics, branding, and related media, is copyrighted property of iHustle Media Group LLC unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, sponsors, advertisers, or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or official position of iHustle Media Group LLC, STL Hustle Insider, its partners, affiliates, or sponsors. Content shared on this show is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, medical, mental health, tax, investment, or other professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on anything discussed. Mentions, interviews, sponsorships, advertisements, products, services, events, or resources featured on STL Hustle Insider do not automatically constitute an endorsement, guarantee, or warranty by iHustle Media Group LLC. By watching, listening to, sharing, or engaging with STL Hustle Insider content, you acknowledge that iHustle Media Group LLC is not responsible for any actions, decisions, outcomes, or results based on the information presented. © iHustle Media Group LLC. All rights reserved.

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  Episode #7

  Smooth 1432 on Cornhole, Brotherhood, Mental Health, and Building Safe Spaces for Men

  Aug 6, 202640 min

  Sometimes the game is not really the game. In this special STL Hustle Insider spotlight episode, Cortez Hustle sits down with four men connected through Smooth 1432, a collective using cornhole, conversation, mentorship, education, therapy, and brotherhood to create safe spaces for men and young people across the St. Louis region. This episode features Mike Elliott, Earl Docket, Jay McDaniels, and Josh Gilliam. Each man brings his own brand, profession, and calling to the table, but together they represent a larger movement: men showing up for other men, young people, families, schools, and communities. Through Smooth 1432, Cornhole with Smooth, Fly Beyond Limits, The Breakfast Club, Vertical Therapy LLC, and 1432 The Podcast, this group is using something unexpected — cornhole — as a conversation starter for deeper topics like mental health, marriage, fatherhood, depression, trauma, purpose, education, mentorship, and community connection. Earl Docket shares his work as an educator, coach, founder of Fly Beyond Limits, and creator of The Breakfast Club, a school-based mentorship effort focused on young Black male students, mental health, behavior, attendance, and self-worth. Jay McDaniels, founder of Cornhole with Smooth, explains how he discovered cornhole during COVID, why he is introducing the sport to inner-city youth, and how cornhole can open doors to confidence, scholarship opportunities, discipline, and purpose. Josh Gilliam, owner of Vertical Therapy LLC, talks about therapy, men’s mental health, confidentiality, trauma, and the importance of creating safe spaces where men and young people can process what they are carrying. Together, these conversations show how Smooth 1432 is building something bigger than an event. It is a movement of men using play, purpose, and presence to reach the community. In This Episode Cortez talks with the Smooth 1432 collective about: What Smooth 1432 is and why it exists Creating safe spaces for men to connect, talk, and try something different How cornhole became a tool for community engagement Why men need spaces outside of work, home, and marriage where they can be honest The pressure of being the only Black man in professional environments Wearing a “mask” in certain spaces and needing time to decompress Marriage, communication, and growing together as a couple The role of 1432 The Podcast in conversations around marriage and men’s lives Earl Docket’s work as an educator and coach Fly Beyond Limits and the meaning of “First Love Yourself” Depression, mental health, and the realities facing young people The Breakfast Club and mentoring young Black males in school Reducing suspensions, referrals, and chronic absence through intentional support Why parents should not be afraid of IEPs and individualized support The importance of consistency at home Jay McDaniels’ journey from traditional sports to cornhole Cornhole with Smooth and bringing the game into schools Why cornhole is mental, strategic, and accessible Scholarship opportunities and nontraditional sports pathways Using cornhole as a conversation starter around purpose and identity Josh Gilliam’s work through Vertical Therapy LLC Why men need therapy and confidential spaces to talk How trauma affects children and young people Why therapy helps people stop dancing around the issue and address the real thing Smooth 1432’s larger mission around men, youth, mental health, and community Key Takeaways Cornhole may be the activity, but connection is the mission. Men need safe spaces where they can talk honestly without judgment. Being the only Black man in a professional environment can create pressure, exhaustion, and emotional weight that often goes unseen. Marriage requires more than telling people to communicate. Couples have to learn how to communicate as they grow and change. Young people need adults who will listen to what they need, not just tell them what they need. IEPs and educational supports should not be treated with shame. They can help children receive the individualized support they need to succeed. Cornhole gives youth another pathway to confidence, teamwork, discipline, competition, and even scholarship opportunities. Therapy is not weakness. It is a confidential space where men and young people can process trauma, loss, development, and life. Smooth 1432 is showing that creative intervention can meet men and young people through something simple, then open the door to deeper conversations. Featured Guests Mike Elliott Smooth 1432 / 1432 The Podcast Mike Elliott is part of Smooth 1432 and 1432 The Podcast. His work centers on creating spaces where men, especially married men and Black men navigating professional environments, can connect, talk, and build community. Earl Docket Founder, Fly Beyond Limits Educator and Coach Earl Docket, also known by many young people as Coach Docket, is an educator entering his 23rd year in education. He serves at KIPP Inspire Academy and is the founder of Fly Beyond Limits, which stands for First Love Yourself Mentorship and Leadership. He also leads The Breakfast Club, a mentorship effort focused on supporting young Black male students. Jay McDaniels Founder, Cornhole with Smooth Jay McDaniels is the founder of Cornhole with Smooth LLC, a podcast and brand using cornhole to reach youth and community members in a new way. Through the Cornhole with Smooth Youth Academy, Jay is introducing the game to schools and using it as a tool for purpose, confidence, mental focus, and opportunity. Josh Gilliam Owner, Vertical Therapy LLC Licensed Professional Counselor Josh Gilliam is a licensed professional counselor and owner of Vertical Therapy LLC. His work focuses on helping men and young people process trauma, loss, life development, emotional struggles, and the internal battles people often carry in silence. Guest Links Smooth 1432: [Add official website link] Smooth 1432 Instagram: [Add link] Smooth 1432 YouTube: [Add link] 1432 The Podcast: [Add link] 1432 The Podcast Instagram: [Add link] 1432 The Podcast TikTok: [Add link] 1432 The Podcast YouTube: [Add link] Cornhole with Smooth Email: cornholewithsmooth@gmail.com Cornhole with Smooth Facebook: [Add link] Cornhole with Smooth Instagram: [Add link] Cornhole with Smooth TikTok: [Add link] Fly Beyond Limits: [Add link] Earl Docket Instagram: [Add link] Earl Docket Facebook: [Add link] Fly Beyond Limits Email: [Confirm full email address] Vertical Therapy LLC Instagram: [Add link] Josh Gilliam / Vertical Therapy website: [Add link] Resources Mentioned Smooth 1432 1432 The Podcast Cornhole with Smooth Cornhole with Smooth Youth Academy Fly Beyond Limits The Breakfast Club Vertical Therapy LLC NAMI St. Louis KIPP Inspire Academy Job Corps St. Louis Virtual Resource Center STL Virtual Resource Center Cornhole IEPs / Individualized Education Plans Youth mentorship Men’s mental health Black male mental health Marriage and communication Youth mental health Episode Sponsors St. Louis...

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  Episode #6

  Devon Moody on The 89th Collective, Community-Rooted Innovation, and East St. Louis Ownership Ep. 6

  Jul 30, 202646 min

  What happens when someone stops waiting for community to be built somewhere else and decides to bring the resources home? In Episode 6 of STL Hustle Insider, Cortez Hustle sits down with Devon Moody, founder of The 89th Collective, for a conversation about East St. Louis, small business, family legacy, motherhood, village-building, ownership, innovation, and creating space for people who need to know they belong. Devon shares how growing up as the youngest of ten, the daughter of a cobbler and a cosmetologist, shaped her understanding of entrepreneurship from an early age. Small business did not just inspire her. It helped pay for her life, sent her to college, and taught her how deeply local enterprise can impact a family and a community. This episode is for entrepreneurs, community builders, creatives, consultants, business owners, parents, students, and anyone who believes innovation does not have to be disconnected from the neighborhood. It can be rooted in it. In This Episode Cortez and Devon talk about: Who Devon Moody is beyond the business title Growing up as the youngest of ten with seven older brothers Being raised by a cobbler, a cosmetologist, and a family of entrepreneurs How small business paid for Devon’s life and opened doors for her Lessons from her father, mother, and grandmother Treating everybody with dignity, regardless of title East St. Louis pride, East Boogie, and the City of Champions Starting a candy store at 10 years old Turning skills into opportunities through clothes, hair, papers, taxes, and service Attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Navigating a predominantly white institution as a Black woman The importance of the “Black House,” CBSU, and safe community spaces on campus Relaunching a student retention program and seeing mentees complete degrees Becoming pregnant senior year and still finishing school Why village is everything, but village must be reciprocal Asking for help without shame The origins of The 89th Collective Why timing mattered for opening a co-working and community business space Opening The 89th Collective on 618 Day in 2025 Serving thousands of people across generations in the first year Why Devon calls The 89th Collective a legacy launch pad Honoring her grandmother as the “original CEO mom” What community-rooted innovation means Why innovation can be as simple as improving a process or solving a problem Why Black entrepreneurs should not only create, but own Moving from fear to ownership Why it is okay to serve community and build wealth Devon’s Top Five All ESTL recommendations Her final word to people who think they do not belong Featured Guest Devon Moody Founder, The 89th Collective Devin Moody is a native of East St. Louis, Illinois, a mother, daughter, consultant, community builder, and founder of The 89th Collective. Her work is rooted in helping people improve their quality of life by learning how to monetize their gifts, build legitimate businesses, access resources, and connect with community. Through The 89th Collective, Devin is building a legacy launch pad for entrepreneurs, creatives, youth, business owners, and community members in East St. Louis and the surrounding region. Guest Links The 89th Collective: https://the89thcollective.com The 89th Collective on Facebook: @the89thcollective Episode Sponsors The 89th Collective This episode was recorded at The 89th Collective Studios in East St. Louis, Illinois. The 89th Collective supports entrepreneurs and business owners with space for classes and workshops, business mailbox services, community connections, networking, memberships, and access to resources. Learn more at: https://the89thcollective.com Interested in sponsoring STL Hustle Insider? Visit: https://stlhustleinsider.com/become-a-sponsor Music Attribution Break music mentioned in this episode: “Different This Time” by Lateef Listen at: https://LateefLive.com 00:00 - Welcome to STL Hustle Insider 00:34 - Who is Devin Moody? 01:21 - Growing up in East St. Louis 01:42 - Youngest of ten and daughter of entrepreneurs 02:42 - Business lessons from family 03:10 - Treat everybody with dignity 04:41 - Growing up with older siblings 06:05 - East St. Louis, East Boogie, and City of Champions 06:45 - Starting a candy store at 10 07:29 - East St. Louis High School and student life 08:41 - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 09:29 - Navigating a PWI as a Black woman 10:18 - The Black House, CBSU, and safe spaces 12:29 - Student retention and the power of community 13:53 - Becoming pregnant senior year 16:11 - Building a village as a college student 17:56 - Asking for help without shame 20:14 - Break and music from Latif 21:00 - Welcome back from The 89th Collective Studios 21:45 - Why East St. Louis needed this ecosystem 22:12 - The early vision for a co-working space 23:30 - Timing, obedience, and bringing resources home 24:20 - Opening The 89th Collective on 618 Day 25:28 - Serving thousands of people across generations 26:19 - Gratitude after the first year 26:38 - Honoring Devin’s grandmother and the original CEO mom 28:10 - Community-rooted innovation 29:19 - Ownership, culture, and Black entrepreneurship 30:00 - Serving community and building wealth 31:45 - Moving out of fear and into legitimacy 32:29 - Owning the systems around what we create 33:44 - Devin’s Top Five All ESTL 34:09 - Personal Touch Boutique 35:00 - Delicious food truck 35:30 - Eastside Chop Suey and St. Louis-style rice 36:53 - Big Mama’s BBQ 37:26 - Skate King / Skate City 38:17 - Freestyle: You belong 39:25 - The 89th Collective address and contact 40:25 - Closing words from Cortez Hustle About STL Hustle Insider STL Hustle Insider is a St. Louis podcast and local media platform hosted by Cortez Hustle and owned by iHustle Media Group LLC. The show spotlights the people, businesses, creatives, nonprofits, leaders, entrepreneurs, and movements building St. Louis from the inside out. Through real conversations and local storytelling, STL Hustle Insider brings attention to the builders, visionaries, and community movers shaping the future of the region. Subscribe, recommend a guest, sponsor the show, or stay connected at: https://stlhustleinsider.com Legal Disclaimer STL Hustle Insider is produced and owned by iHustle Media Group LLC. All show content, including video, audio, graphics, branding, and related media, is copyrighted property of iHustle Media Group LLC unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, sponsors, advertisers, or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or official position of iHustle Media Group LLC, STL Hustle Insider, its partners, affiliates, or sponsors. Content shared on this show is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, me...

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  Episode #6

  Devon Moody on The 89th Collective, Community-Rooted Innovation, and East St. Louis Ownership Ep. 6

  Jul 30, 202646 minS0

  <p>What happens when someone stops waiting for community to be built somewhere else and decides to bring the resources home?</p><p>In Episode 6 of STL Hustle Insider, Cortez Hustle sits down with Devon Moody, founder of The 89th Collective, for a conversation about East St. Louis, small business, family legacy, motherhood, village-building, ownership, innovation, and creating space for people who need to know they belong.</p><p>Devon shares how growing up as the youngest of ten, the daughter of a cobbler and a cosmetologist, shaped her understanding of entrepreneurship from an early age. Small business did not...

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