Discover the journey, insights, and practical advice from Apryl Roberts, a seasoned event producer with over 25 years of experience, including leadership roles at BET and the International Live Events Association. Whether you're aspiring to enter production or looking to elevate your current craft, her story highlights the importance of creating opportunities, mastering your skills, and staying resilient in a competitive industry.Main Topics:

• The difference between event planning and event production
• Building a career from scratch in the live events industry
• Overcoming challenges as a woman and minority in production leadership
• The importance of mentorship and continuous learning
• How to leverage social media without relying solely on aesthetics
• Navigating the pressures and behind-the-scenes work of high-profile event production

Connect beyond the Podcast

Interested in joining our corporate strangers' dinners join us at seatedwithstrangers.com

Interested in collaborating meet@seatedwithstrangers.com and connect with Apryl Roberts Apryl Roberts Productions

Most women juggling a corporate career and creative passions feel like they’re operating on two separate planets. But what if those worlds could actually amplify each other? On this episode of Corporate Strangers, bestselling fantasy romance author Angela J. Ford shares how her corporate skills fueled her success as an indie author and how embracing dual identities can unlock your full potential. Angela, who writes vibrant worlds centered on Black heroines and interracial romance, reveals the powerful intersection of business and creativity. You’ll discover how her experience with large brands taught her to always be “on,” leveraging marketing insights that help her build a thriving author business. Plus, she highlights the importance of understanding the business side of creativity—from publishing to marketing—so you can sustain your passion long-term. If you’ve ever felt torn between your career and your craft or wondered how to make both thrive without sacrificing one, this episode is for you.

Connect beyond the Podcast

Interested in joining our corporate strangers' dinners join us at seatedwithstrangers.com

Interested in collaborating meet@seatedwithstrangers.com

Angela J. Ford Connect

During this conversation, Stephanie BwaBwa shares her journey as an indie author, discussing her early influences, the challenges of self-publishing, and the importance of community support. She emphasizes the necessity of being a reader to become a good writer and outlines her writing process, which includes thorough plotting and revisions. Stephanie also provides insights into the business side of publishing, including the financial aspects of marketing and the importance of understanding the market. Finally, she encourages writers to embrace their authentic selves in their work, drawing from their unique backgrounds and experiences.

Stephanie BwaBwa is a bestselling epic romantasy author who writes cinematic, immersive, character-driven stories that haunts and heals, where angels rise through darkness and corruption to find freedom, healing, hope, and love.

She’s the author behind the Elledelle Universe—the original fantasy universe of angels, captivating readers worldwide.

Connect with us: Shivawn MitchellStephanie BwaBwa - Bestselling Romantasy Author