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From Houston’s Fifth Ward to CEO in Africa: Yachtze Luchin on Building United Oil & Gas International

On the Black Bridge Mindset Podcast, hosts Mike, Ken, and CJ welcome Yachtze Luchin, Houston-based president and CEO of United Oil and Gas International, to discuss his journey from growing up in inner-city Houston to leading energy projects across Africa. Luchin shares how determination and family lessons pushed him through engineering school despite gaps in preparation, how an early job inspecting sewers motivated him to pursue oil and gas, and how mentors helped him break into Texaco. He explains why he left corporate roles after broad technical and business experience to build UNITE, starting with consulting and services while working toward becoming a producer. He emphasizes building a vision-driven leadership team, “educate before you participate,” adapting to local business culture in Africa, and leading with purpose beyond profit.

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:35 Atlanta Weekend Recap

02:33 Meet the CEO Guest

04:40 Inner City Roots

06:02 College Catch Up Grind

08:38 Dad’s Secret Sauce Lesson

11:40 Audacity and Action

14:10 Breaking Into Oil and Gas

15:53 From Sewers to Texaco

20:38 Leaving Corporate for Purpose

26:30 Launching United Oil and Gas

30:16 Consulting Services and Production

33:16 Why Africa Called Him Back

36:52 Building a Winning Leadership Team

40:45 Purpose Beyond Profit

45:32 Advice for Aspiring Oil Entrepreneurs

48:19 Africa Culture and Business Reality Check

55:01 Legacy Inspiration and Loving the Vision

01:01:20 Where to Find Unite Online

01:02:05 Wakanda Peace Pause Farewell

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Hosts:

• Mike
• CJ
• Ken

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On the Black Bridge Mindset Podcast, hosts Mike, Ken, and CJ welcome luxury portrait and event photographer Jahan Daughtry of Jahan Photography, celebrating 17 years in business. Jahan shares her path from corporate roles at Verizon and Nationwide to full-time entrepreneurship after layoffs, explaining how she built her business while working, self-funded gear upgrades, and learned to track finances properly. She discusses the costs of equipment and studios, why she has moved through six studio spaces, and how accessibility and client experience drove those decisions. Jahan explains how CRM tools like HoneyBook help manage contracts, scheduling, and revenue tracking, and emphasizes separating business finances and working with an accountant. She details how networking, social media consistency, and “connectors” grew her client base, how DEI rollbacks reduced corporate work, and why pivoting and renewed networking matter.

00:00 Podcast Welcome
00:35 Weather and Catch Up
01:47 Meet Jahan Daughtry
03:27 Creative Roots and Photography Start
04:36 Corporate Life and Early Hustle
08:35 Breaking Point and Workplace Tea
12:12 Building Clients While Working
14:04 Why Portrait Photography
15:54 CRMs and Business Systems
18:30 Pricing and Separating Finances
23:19 Networking and Social Media Growth
25:02 Connectors and Studio Moves
26:43 First Studio Reality Check
28:40 Sharing Space Growing Pains
29:46 Bright Studio Stair Struggles
31:10 Dreaming of Creative Hub
32:05 Bootstrapping Early Challenges
33:43 Renting Gear and Resources
34:17 Signature Client Experience
35:33 Corporate Gigs Word of Mouth
36:30 Crafting Unique Portraits
38:55 Industry Shifts and DEI Impact
42:54 Where to Find Jahan
43:50 Advice Shadow and Learn
45:31 Guest Question and Legacy
47:47 Wrap Up Travel and Balance

Facebook: @jehaninc
Instagram: @jehanllc
Website: https://www.jehanllc.com

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Hosts:

• Mike
• CJ
• Ken

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On the Black Bridge Mindset Podcast, hosts Mike, Ken, and CJ welcome Columbus-based fashion designer and master tailor Corey Winborn, CEO of Designs by Winborn, who shares how he became self-taught by thrifting and deconstructing garments as a teen and turned that passion into a 37-year career in custom clothing, alterations, and fine jewelry. Corey explains how style and presentation build confidence and opportunity, why he chose not to pursue college, and what it took to leave traditional jobs to bet on his craft. He offers practical business advice for aspiring designers: study fashion, become your own brand, focus on what sells (not just social media image), and build a client base before taking on a brick-and-mortar. He shares his appointment-only shop details and leaves a question for the next guest about living the life they want.

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:35 August Vibes and Market Days

02:41 Meet Corey Winborn

04:33 Self Taught Tailoring Origins

07:39 Style Confidence and Presentation

11:20 No College Needed

12:46 Turning Craft Into Business

18:04 Entrepreneurship Mindset Shift

25:04 Business 101 for Designers

29:52 Study Trends and Sell Work

30:45 Be Your Own Brand

31:36 Creating What’s Next

33:22 Naming DBW and N4

33:59 Born to Win Philosophy

36:23 Why Every Man Needs Custom

38:23 Custom Suits Through History

39:47 Favorite Clients and Moments

41:36 Dressing Women Too

42:56 Opening the Brick and Mortar

47:30 Entrepreneur Advice and Wrap

48:37 Where to Find Corey

50:26 Final Questions and Goodbye

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Thank you for listening!

Follow our socials!

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Contact us:

• Email: blackbridgemindset@gmail.com

Hosts:

• Mike
• CJ
• Ken