Dreams In Drive

What happens when the career you thought you'd have suddenly disappears? For Dawn Kelly, getting laid off at 52 became the unexpected beginning of a completely different chapter. In this episode of Dreams In Drive, I sit down with Dawn Kelly, Co-Founder and CEO of The Nourish Spot Inc., a family-owned healthy food and beverage brand in Jamaica. But before building her entrepreneurial dream, Dawn spent years on a very different professional path. Then, at 52, she was laid off. Instead of allowing that moment to define what came next, Dawn decided to rethink what she wanted her life and career to look like—and ultimately built something she never could have predicted earlier in her career. We talk about what it feels like to start over later in life, the fear and uncertainty that can come with an unexpected career transition, and what it really takes to give yourself permission to pursue a dream that looks nothing like the one you originally imagined. In this conversation, Dawn shares: What being laid

What if one of the most important career skills you could learn has nothing to do with your actual job? When Rana was a fresh-out-of-high-school intern at CBS in 2009, she was told that everyone should work in sales at some point in their career. Sixteen years later, she finally understands why. Sales teaches you how to communicate, understand people, handle rejection, advocate for yourself, and create belief. In this quick solo episode, Rana breaks down the 3 things she believes everyone should learn how to sell: Because whether you're building a career, a business, a creative project, or simply trying to figure out what's next, you're going to have to sell something. Learn what that is and why it's important that you start that journey now .  Connect with Rana/Dreams in Drive Personal Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rainshineluv Podcast Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dreamsindrive Sign up for the weekly newsletter: http://www.dreamsindrive.com/join LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ranacampbell

What if getting your money right is actually part of getting your dream right? Anthony O'Neal is back on Dreams In Drive for the third time to talk about financial freedom, money mindset, living paycheck to paycheck, building wealth, and what it really takes to create the life you want. Anthony, author of Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck, explains why making more money doesn't automatically create financial freedom—and why creating financial margin can give you the room to pursue your bigger goals. Rana and Anthony also get into lifestyle inflation, comparison, understanding your "why," breaking financial patterns, and setting boundaries with people who don't believe in your vision. Plus, Anthony breaks down his EARNED framework for turning dreams into action and opens up about his own dream of becoming an HBCU dean and eventually an HBCU president. If you've ever felt like your finances are holding you back from the life you want, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about money, strateg

Let's have an honest converastion about why so many women, especially moms/working moms feel like they are so unmotivated and tapped out along the #dreamdriving journey. The answer isn't that we don't want to be more "ambitious", the answer is that there may be something even simpler that explain it. I don't have the answers, but I want to just start telling the truth about what it means to know you want more, but just simply find your way out of the exhaustion.  Connect with Rana/Dreams in Drive Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rainshineluv Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dreamsindrive Weekly Newsletter: http://www.dreamsindrive.com/join LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ranacampbell  

What can going viral teach you about pursuing your dreams? In this solo episode of Dreams In Drive, I share the unexpected lessons I learned after several of my Instagram videos took off. From embracing trends and telling better stories to understanding what truly resonates with people, this conversation is about paying attention to what works, staying authentic, and applying those insights to your own journey—whether you're building a brand, growing a business, or chasing your next big goal. Connect with Rana/Dreams in Drive Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rainshineluv Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dreamsindrive Weekly Newsletter: http://www.dreamsindrive.com/join LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ranacampbell  

hat does it really take to build a business that goes viral—and lasts? This week on Dreams In Drive, Rana Campbell sits down with Brandon Castaneda, Founder and CEO of EZ Bombs, to share the story behind one of the fastest-growing food brands in America. From hand-rolling products in his mom's kitchen to becoming one of TikTok Shop's top food brands and expanding into Walmart stores nationwide, Brandon shares the lessons behind the headlines. Together, they discuss innovation, persistence, navigating explosive growth, learning from failure, and why solving a real problem is the key to building a lasting business. If you've ever wondered whether your setbacks are actually preparing you for your breakthrough, this conversation is for you. In this episode you'll learn: • How EZ Bombs was born from a family recipe • The power of borrowing ideas from different industries • What it takes to scale after going viral • Why previous failures prepared Brandon for success • How to know when to pivot—and when to persevere

Steve Patino didn't build Ales Grey overnight. After spending more than three decades in the footwear industry—working with global brands, designing for celebrities, learning manufacturing in China, and leading billion-dollar growth—he realized he wanted to build something bigger than a successful company. He wanted to build a legacy. In this episode, Steve shares how his childhood love of sneakers became his greatest superpower, why he quit his executive job while his wife was pregnant to launch Ales Grey, and how staying committed to a purpose-driven mission ultimately helped the brand land on Walmart.com. If you've ever wondered whether your passion could become your career, this conversation will inspire you to think bigger, trust your expertise, and build something only you can create. What You'll Learn Why your biggest passion may actually be your greatest competitive advantage How Steve predicted footwear trends decades before they became mainstream What he learned from helping scale billion-dollar

What if your greatest business idea came from one of the hardest seasons of your life? This week on Dreams In Drive, host Rana Campbell sits down with Lisa Stelly, founder of Fancy Sprinkles, to talk about the unexpected journey from postpartum depression to building one of the most recognizable sprinkle brands in America. Lisa shares how cake decorating became a form of healing after the birth of her second daughter—and how one frustrating search for white star sprinkles uncovered an untapped opportunity that would eventually become Fancy Sprinkles. Over the last decade, she's transformed an overlooked baking category into a modern lifestyle brand known for beautiful products, bold branding, and unforgettable customer experiences. Today, Fancy Sprinkles can be found in Walmart stores across the country, bringing creativity and joy to families everywhere. In this episode, Lisa opens up about: Growing up in a small Louisiana town and developing an entrepreneurial mindset How postpartum depression unexp

What happens when someone refuses to let their circumstances define them? In this deeply moving episode, Rana sits down with Denise Roman for one of the most powerful conversations ever shared on Dreams In Drive. Denise opens up about her journey growing up in the Bronx, becoming a mother at just 15 years old, navigating foster care, surviving multiple incarcerations, and ultimately finding the courage to rebuild her life on her own terms. From experiencing systemic failures firsthand to pursuing higher education through programs like the Bard Prison Initiative and setting her sights on political leadership, Denise shares how faith, resilience, and self-belief helped her transform pain into purpose. In this episode, Denise and Rana discuss: Growing up in a difficult and isolating home environment Becoming a teen mother while navigating foster care The realities and trauma of the foster care system Survival, incarceration, and rebuilding after prison Witnessing corruption and abuse within correction

She thought losing her corporate job would break her. Instead, it became the exact push she needed to build the career — and life — she actually wanted. For interior designer Angelica Deuel, getting laid off from corporate in 2024 became the unexpected turning point that changed everything. What could've felt like failure actually became the push she needed to finally go all in on the dream she'd been quietly building behind the scenes for years. In this honest and inspiring conversation, Angelica opens up about walking away from the security of corporate life, navigating uncertainty, and building a business rooted in purpose, creativity, and freedom. From fear and finances to identity and self-trust, this episode is for anyone questioning whether the "safe" path is still the right one. We talk about: Feeling unfulfilled in corporate despite career success The surprising relief she felt after getting laid off Why she believes the layoff was divine timing How she prepared for entrepreneurship before t

How do you stand out in rooms full of accomplished, talented, and ambitious people? In this solo episode, I'm sharing the story behind something that happenedat a fireside chat with Padma Lakshmi — and the powerful lesson I learned about visibility, confidence, and why so many of us shrink ourselves in the very rooms we prayed to be in. Before the event even started, I made a decision: I was going to participate. I prepared my question ahead of time, workshopped it with coworkers, and intentionally positioned myself in the room. What happened next validated strategies I use when it comes to networking, career growth, and standing out professionally. In this episode, we talk about: how to stand out in any room the power of preparation and intentionality overcoming fear and imposter syndrome at work why visibility matters for career growth how ambitious women unintentionally play small networking, confidence, and speaking up the opportunities that come from participation If you've ever struggled with confiden

Why does "having it all" feel so much harder than it sounds? In this episode, Rukiya Ross breaks down the real challenges working moms face balancing career, ambition, and motherhood. In this episode of Dreams In Drive, Rana Campbell sits down with operations executive, podcast host, and mom of two Rukiya Ross for an honest conversation about what it really looks like to pursue ambition while navigating motherhood. As Head of Operations at inquirED and co-host of Moms Who Pause, Rukiya helps women rethink how they approach career growth, childcare, and building a life that actually works. In this conversation, she shares how becoming a mother reshaped her relationship with ambition, success, and self-worth—and why so many working moms struggle silently with the pressure to "do it all." Together, Rana and Rukiya unpack the emotional and logistical realities of balancing motherhood and career, from managing the mental load and childcare decisions to navigating guilt, boundaries, and burnout. If you're a wo

In this episode, Rana sits down with storyteller, speaker, and podcast host, Kadi Cisse, for a powerful conversation about identity, independence, grief, purpose, and becoming who you really are. Kadi shares her journey growing up as a first-generation American raised by West African immigrant parents, and how being the "independent child" shaped the way she approached life, relationships, and success. She opens up about loss, navigating life after losing her father, and how many of us who are seen as "strong" often learn how to survive before we ever learn how to feel. Together, Rana and Kadi talk about the identity crisis that many high-achieving people face when they realize their job title is not their purpose, why unprocessed emotions eventually show up in our lives, and how spirituality, self-awareness, and honesty with yourself are often the real keys to growth. Kadi also shares wisdom from her platform Ask Kadi: The Voice of Reason, where she uses humor, honesty, and real-life experience to help p

Ashley Rouse shares how surrender, letting go, and reinvention led to clarity and new beginnings after closing her company, Trade Street Jam Co. _____ After building a nationally recognized brand, Ashley Rouse returns to Dreams In Drive - eight years later - to share the raw truth about closing Trade Street Jam Co., embracing surrender, and stepping into new beginnings with her new creative agency Rouse Like House. A heartfelt, inspiring conversation for anyone navigating change, letting go, or finding clarity and purpose in life's next chapter. ______ In this deeply honest and full-circle conversation, Ashley Rouse (Episode 174 guest) returns eight years later to Dreams In Drive to reflect on the evolution from the woman who was scaling Trade Street Jam Co. at lightning speed to the woman she is today — one who chose surrender, healing, and alignment over external definitions of success. Ashley opens up about the circumstances surrounding and the grief of closing Trade Street Jam Co., the loss of identity

From 100 Rejections to Real Purpose | Community, Career & Resilience In this episode of Dreams In Drive, Rana Campbell sits down with Brittney Oliver, founder of Lemons to Lemonade, for a powerful conversation about turning rejection into purpose and building meaningful community when the traditional path doesn't work. Before creating one of the most impactful platforms for professionals of color, Brittney faced over 100 job rejections while trying to break into New York City's PR industry. Despite being qualified and prepared, she repeatedly heard "no." Instead of letting rejection define her, she chose to build the community she wished existed. In this honest and inspiring conversation, Rana and Brittney discuss what it really takes to keep going when your journey doesn't look like everyone else's. You'll hear about: Navigating racism and cultural barriers in corporate spaces Turning rejection into redirection The difference between "community" as a buzzword and real connection Building impac

Contemporary artist Cristina Martinez joins Rana Campbell to discuss career pivots, motherhood, grief, and staying authentic while building a creative career. A powerful conversation about choosing yourself and continuing to create through life's challenges _ As Dreams In Drive enters its 10th year, host Rana Campbell continues her mission of spotlighting what it really means to be a dream driver—embracing change, navigating pivots, and staying true to yourself through every season. In this episode, Rana sits down with contemporary artist Cristina Martinez for an inspiring conversation about creativity, courage, and choosing yourself—even when the path feels uncertain. Cristina shares her journey from working in hospitality to becoming a full-time artist, creating sold-out exhibitions, massive public murals, and partnering with brands like Nordstrom, Disney, and Spotify. She opens up about balancing motherhood and creativity, processing grief through her work, and allowing her real life to show up on canva

In this Driver's Ed session of Dream Drive, Rana Campbell sits down with Guapify CEO CJ Harris to workshop how to build trust, community, and real impact while launching a purpose-driven platform. Together, they break down CJ's journey from media executive to founder and tackle the real-time challenges of creating a safe, culturally relevant space for financial empowerment. More About The Show: In this Driver's Ed episode of Dream Drive, Rana Campbell sits down with media executive–turned–founder CJ Harris, CEO of Guapify, for a live workshopping session on how to build trust, community, and impact from the ground up. CJ shares her journey from growing up in the Bronx to spending 15 years at HBO and leading creative at BET—experiences that shaped how she thinks about storytelling, representation, and safe spaces. That background ultimately led her to create Guapify, a financial empowerment platform designed for Black millennials who want honest, culturally relevant conversations about money. Together, Ran

The year is winding down, but are you finishing it with intention, or just rushing toward the next? In this solo episode, I take you through a Dream Driver Year-End Tune-Up, helping you reflect on 2025, recalibrate your energy, and set a roadmap for 2026 without overwhelm or guilt. We'll cover: How to celebrate your wins, even the small ones How to spot what's draining your energy and what's fueling you Practical ways to leave behind what no longer serves you How to set intentions and take bold steps toward the dreams that scare you Whether you're juggling career, motherhood, creativity, or all of the above, this episode is a guided reset for your mind, your energy, and your dreams. By the end, you'll feel inspired to make one meaningful decision before the year ends, so your future self starts 2026 ready to drive. Listen If You Are: A Dream Driver ready to reflect, recharge, and refocus Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about your next step Looking for a practical yet soulful guide to set

In this episode, Gaby Huezo shares how she left El Salvador, navigated cultural differences in LA, and built a creative career from scratch—all while taking up space and championing Latinx voices globally. Learn how to take risks, own your space, and make your impact. In this empowering episode, we sit down with Gaby Huezo, creative strategist, storyteller, and founder of Haus of Duke, to uncover how she took bold risks, built a creative career from scratch, and championed Latinx voices globally. Gaby shares the lessons she learned leaving El Salvador for Los Angeles, navigating cultural differences, and stepping into rooms where she wasn't expected—yet choosing to take up space with confidence and purpose. You will discover how to: Take risks and create opportunities instead of waiting for them Build a career from scratch in a new country while staying true to your identity Find your zone of genius and protect it in any environment Use creativity and storytelling to make an impact and elevate underrepresent

What happens when the path you thought you were supposed to follow suddenly ends? For designer Angelica Deuel, a September 2024 layoff became the exact push she needed to finally pursue the dream she had been quietly preparing for her whole life. In this inspiring and energizing conversation, Angelica shares how childhood passions for organization, history, and transforming spaces eventually led her to launch Hatch Interior Design Group — a business dedicated to helping busy moms, working professionals, and new homeowners create intentional, functional, beautiful homes. We dive into: Her journey from media + marketing to full-time entrepreneur Why corporate left her feeling like "just a number" The fear, finances, and comfort that kept her from leaving sooner The relief she felt after being laid off — and why it was divine timing How she prepared behind the scenes before taking the leap Life after the layoff: building her interior design brand Navigating comparison, uncertainty, and no longer havin