Conversations Are Key

Certified Financial Planner, Army veteran, entrepreneur, and TOAMS Financial founder Mario Payne joins Conversations Are Key for a candid conversation about wealth, risk, reputation, and what happens when trust is tested.Mario shares his journey from being expelled from school and attending Tennessee State University to serving in the Army, entering financial services, and eventually building his own advisory firm.He also addresses the public scrutiny surrounding his work, reflects on client losses during difficult market conditions, and explains what the experience taught him about communication, accountability, and maintaining trust.The conversation goes beyond the controversy as Mario breaks down his approach to leverage, real estate, investing, debt, financial planning, and what he believes everyday people should know before trusting someone with their money.It’s a conversation about building wealth—but also about what happens when your reputation becomes part of the investment.Follow Conversations Are Key: @ConversationsAreKeyFollow KeyWillVoice: @KeyWillVoiceFollow Mario Payne: @PayneFulProfits

Kie Fair was already trying to leave the streets behind when federal agents arrived at his mother’s home and arrested him as part of a conspiracy involving 11 people. Facing years behind bars, Kie prepared to lose his freedom—until a judge gave him something he couldn’t purchase: a second chance.In this episode of Conversations Are Key, Kie opens up about his early introduction to entrepreneurship, becoming addicted to money and validation, and repeatedly returning to the streets whenever his legitimate businesses struggled. He takes us inside the arrest that changed his life, the humiliation of incarceration and the courtroom moment that gave him another opportunity.Freedom didn’t erase the consequences. Kie walked away with $90,000 in restitution, 160 hours of community service and the responsibility of rebuilding his life from the ground up. He discusses returning to work as a window tinter after once owning his own shops, earning back his family’s trust and transforming his experience into a mission to help others break destructive cycles.Today, Kie is the author of Undefined Evidence, a transformational speaker and an entrepreneur behind BWI Motorsports and Halo Highline. He and Keyon also have an honest conversation about faith, business ownership, envy, supporting Black businesses and why visible success means nothing without the internal work required to sustain it.This isn’t a story about escaping consequences. It’s about accepting responsibility—and understanding what a second chance demands from you.CHAPTERS00:00 $90,000 in restitution—and a daughter waiting00:45 Meet Kie Fair01:44 His first hustle started with candy04:24 Becoming addicted to money and validation09:05 The morning federal agents arrested him11:11 Facing years behind bars14:59 The responsibility of a second chance16:51 Finding faith through the Book of Job19:30 Rebuilding after incarceration21:31 Earning his family’s trust again22:41 What legitimate success feels like23:41 Building BWI Motorsports and Halo Highline25:14 What the streets couldn’t teach him about business26:26 Faith requires action28:02 Success, envy and protecting your vision30:02 Playing your position and supporting Black businesses36:38 Why he named the book Undefined Evidence37:31 His warning to young people chasing street money38:34 What parents need to teach their children39:52 Kie Fair’s Key to the Street40:57 Where to follow KieFollow Kie Fair: @KieFair929Follow Key Will: @KeyWillVoiceFollow Conversations Are Key: @ConversationsAreKey

What happens when the vision you have for your life is suddenly challenged by your physical vision?Key Will Voice sits down with Taquiela Wright, engineer and founder of Delisa Rose Luxury Lingerie, for a candid conversation about reinvention, resilience, entrepreneurship and purpose.After more than two decades in engineering, Taquiela took an unexpected leap into luxury fashion, ultimately showcasing her designs at New York Fashion Week and in Paris. But at the height of that momentum, an advanced glaucoma diagnosis forced her to confront the possibility of losing her sight—and reconsider what success, health and her future would look like.Taquiela opens up about the fear and depression that followed her diagnosis, losing her mother, the family roots behind Delisa Rose, self-funding a luxury brand while continuing her engineering career, and why she now says she is “designing from a purpose standpoint.”She also gets candid about being a Black woman navigating both engineering and luxury fashion, the realities of manufacturing lingerie, and what it actually takes to turn fashion visibility into a sustainable business.Then things lighten up for Keys to the Street, as Taquiela gives the men a crash course in buying lingerie for their significant other—from sizing and choosing the right pieces to the one rule every man should remember: know your woman.It’s a conversation about losing sight of the life you expected—and discovering a bigger vision for what comes next.

What happens when you follow the traditional formula, go to school, earn the degree, find a good job and the opportunity still isn't there?On this episode of Conversations Are Key, Keyon Williams sits down with entrepreneur, business growth strategist and Influence2Impact founder Darius Benders for a conversation about entrepreneurship, credit, access to capital and creating opportunities when the traditional path doesn't work out.Darius shares his journey from Division I college football and Boston nightlife to navigating financial uncertainty during the pandemic. After driving to Atlanta for an entrepreneurship conference he could barely afford to attend, Darius says a chance connection introduced him to the world of credit and business funding. He eventually went from having no business funding to accessing $167,000 in just 47 days but as Key Will Voice challenges him, having access to $167K doesn't mean you're $167K richer.They break down the difference between debt and leverage, building a strong credit profile, establishing relationships with banks and credit unions, what happens when entrepreneurs become overleveraged and why access to money without the knowledge to use it can be dangerous. Darius also discusses mentorship, the booming online coaching industry, Influence2Impact, My First Million and why he believes getting into the right room can completely change your trajectory.In this episode: business funding, credit strategy, entrepreneurship, mentorship, personal branding, financial freedom, overcoming failure and creating your own opportunities.Follow Darius: @DariusBendersFollow Key Will Voice: @KeyWillVoiceSubscribe to @ConversationsAreKey for more conversations with the people building, creating and redefining success.

On this episode of Conversations Are Key, Keyon Will Voice sits down with attorney, entrepreneur, author, and survivor Joi Hunt for a powerful conversation about rebuilding after one of the darkest seasons of her life.Joi opens up about surviving a toxic marriage marked by violence, betrayal, financial abuse, and starting over with her son in a new state. She shares how she found the strength to rebuild, rediscover herself, regain financial independence, and transform her pain into purpose.This conversation also dives into the practical side of protection including prenups, postnups, business structure, operating agreements, financial transparency, and why entrepreneurs must protect their assets before love, marriage, and business collide.Joi also discusses her book From Broken to the Bank: Wrong Love, Right Lessons and offers keys for anyone healing, rebuilding, and learning how to win again.Follow Joi Hunt: @joihunt_esqFollow Conversations Are Key: @ConversationsAreKey

What invisible experiences shape the way we lead, love and show up in the world?In this episode of Conversations Are Key, host Key Will Voice sits down with R.R. Mebane—former executive at FedEx and the CDC to discuss his remarkable journey from growing up in the Dixie Homes Housing Project in North Memphis to leading inside Fortune 500 companies and the federal government.Inspired by his memoir, The Ghost at the Table: A Memoir of Surviving Life, the Streets, and Corporate America, Mebane shares powerful lessons on resilience, mentorship, identity, and the invisible barriers that follow us into every room. His story is a reminder that true leadership isn't about titles, it's about lifting others as you climb.The Ghost at the Table: A Memoir of Surviving Life, the Streets, and Corporate America is published by Kim Jones of WPPublishingllc.Com and is available wherever books are sold.In this episode you'll learn:How adversity can become your greatest advantageWhy mentorship is a lifelong responsibilityThe importance of "sending the elevator back down"How to lead with purpose in corporate America and beyondWhy every leader has a "ghost at the table"Subscribe to Conversations Are Key for more inspiring conversations with leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, and changemakers whose stories prove that one conversation can truly change a life.

Conversations Are Key is back with a powerful conversation featuring Ebony Porter-Ike, publicist, crisis manager, entrepreneur, executive producer, author and founder of EPI Media Group.In this episode, Ebony breaks down the business behind being seen: why visibility without strategy can make you a target, why PR only works when the infrastructure is already in place and how public perception can directly impact money, opportunity and reputation.She also opens up about leaving corporate America, rebuilding her confidence, learning to use being underestimated as an advantage and why Black women are under attack in today’s DEI rollback and layoff culture.From crisis management to negotiation, from protecting your brand to knowing when to walk away from the table, this conversation is a masterclass in positioning, power, and protecting your value.Because being visible is one thing. Being positioned is something different.

On this episode of Conversations Are Key, Key Will Voice sits down with multi-platinum producer Budda Beats for a powerful conversation about the hidden side of the music industry.Known for records with artists like Lil Baby, Quavo, NLE Choppa, and more, Budda Beats opens up about the real process behind hit records, navigating the business of music production, producer recognition, AI in creativity, scoring television, and why Atlanta continues to shape the sound of modern culture.The conversation also explores faith, rejection, longevity, entrepreneurship, and what it truly means to be an “Invisible Architect” in entertainment.This is a conversation for producers, artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone building something behind the scenes.Hosted by Emmy-nominated producer/editor and voice actor Keyon Williams.Follow:@ConversationsAreKey@KeyWillVoice@budda_beats_

Think you’re done with taxes because you already filed? Think again.In this episode of Conversations Are Key, Key Will Voice sits down with Dr. Gwennetta Wright, CEO of Xpert Tax Service and a tax professional with over 20 years of experience, to break down how scammers are targeting people before and after filing — and why so many are losing money without realizing it.From fake IRS emails and phone calls to AI-driven impersonation scams and fraudulent refund promises, this conversation exposes how these schemes actually work in real life — and what you need to do to protect yourself.Dr. Wright also dives into the bigger picture: how misinformation is costing people thousands, why tax mistakes can follow you into your everyday life, and how understanding the tax system can help you protect and build your income long-term. In this episode:Why tax scams don’t stop after you fileHow people are being promised fake $10K+ refundsThe red flags that instantly signal a scamWhat the IRS will NEVER doWhat to do immediately if you get a suspicious messageHow an IP PIN can protect your identityThe truth about taxes, income, and building wealthIf you’ve filed, filed late, or still need to — this episode could save you thousands.Keys to the Street included.