94.3 WYBC

WYBC & Yale University salute A Hustler’s Vibe

Name: Rashann Boyd

Year Business was started in New Haven: My business legally was started in early 2019

Why did you start your own business?

I started my own business because I have always had the hustler’s mentality since a youth. Starting in high school selling candy in the school hallways. I made pretty good money doing it so I figured if I switched the product, I could make a living off of it.

Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?

Because this is where I was born and raised so in the beginning stages I figured the love and support from my friends and family would support my business and dreams and help it flourish.

What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?

Starting out business wasn’t the easiest due to me not having that much knowledge on the clothing industry itself or any business loans or grants or any type of investors to get the brand up and running. I started with 12 T-shirts out the trunk of my car. I would YouTube videos on how to operate a clothing brand, also took courses to learn about the different printing methods and fabrics to print on. Having to travel city to city to make sales and meet up with customers. Traveling state to state for pop-up shops & spending most of my profits on more products, marketing and knowledge with hope of my brand growing in the process. So, I the beginning I didn’t really profit much so I had to trust the process and continue to grow my inventory. Not to mention the clothing industry is a big industry filled with millions of brands so not only did I have to be creative, I had to master the art of being consistent to keep the brand in the customers faces at the same time, which got me from out of the trunk of my car to a store front location.

WYBC & Yale University salute Any Occasion Creation Florist

Name: Carrien Davis

Business Name: Any Occasion Creation Florist

Year Business was started in New Haven: 2014

Why did you start your own business?

I gained inspiration from my parents, who kept flowers all throughout her home in the Caribbean Island of Dominica. As a teenager, I would be tasked with picking flowers from the family garden for the dinner table, and she enjoyed making arrangements.

Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?

My family immigrated to the United States when I was 17. Upon seeing the abundance of flower shops and craft stores, I realized that I could turn my interest into a profession and began taking orders for floral arrangements from friends.

What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?

It’s challenging to get support from the community, however, over time, I was able to develop a clientele. People noticed my work and that turned out to be the primary driver for orders.

IT Manager

POSITION: IT Manager

COMPANY: Connoisseur Media

LOCATION: Milford and Westport, CT

Join Connoisseur Media and be a part of a dynamic team that is shaping the future of media and entertainment! Connoisseur Media is an innovative media company seeking a highly skilled and motivated IT Manager to join our team. The position will be based in Milford and Westport, CT, and will play a crucial role in overseeing all IT operations for both locations. The successful candidate will report directly to the Corporate Manager of Engineering and will be responsible for ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of our IT systems. Connoisseur Media Connecticut is home to (6) heritage brands including WPLR, WEZN, WICC, WEBE, WYBC and WFOX and based in Milford. The Connoisseur Media corporate office is based in Westport, CT.

Key Responsibilities:

IT Infrastructure Management: Oversee the maintenance of the IT infrastructure for both Milford and Westport locations. Ensure the availability, security, and performance of network systems, servers, and other IT assets.
System Maintenance and Upgrades: Plan and execute regular maintenance activities, and system upgrades. Stay abreast of industry trends and implement best practices to enhance overall system performance.
Vendor Management: Collaborate with external vendors to troubleshoot issues.
Security and Compliance: Implement and enforce IT security policies and procedures. Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards.
Troubleshooting and Support: Provide timely and effective technical support to end-users. Troubleshoot and resolve hardware and software issues promptly.

Qualifications:

Associates or Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field. Relevant job experience/current certifications can be substituted for the education requirement.

IT skills including local area and wide area networking. Strong knowledge of networking, systems administration, and security best practices.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple priorities.
Computer literacy in applicable software packages which may include (Microsoft OS and Office Suite, Automation Systems).

What we offer:

Competitive pay
Fun, collaborative work environment
Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance coverage
401K with company match

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their relevant experience and qualifications to [email protected]

CONNOISSEUR MEDIA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristics protected by law.

Gospel Fest New Haven 2023

The Christian Community Commission, Inc. proudly presents Gospel Fest New Haven at Goffe Street Park on Saturday, August 3rd and Sunday, August 4th. Back for its 27th year!

Featuring National Gospel Artists, talent competitions, vendors and exhibitors and great family fun!

Be sure to visit the 94.3 WYBC Tent!

For more information call 203-624-9228.

WYBC & Yale University salute Reliant Behavioral Health & Community Services

Name: Lisa Hardy-Gardner

Business Name: 1)Reliant Behavioral Health & Community Services and my newest business is: 2) Effective Community Services TLC(Transforming Life’s Circumstances)

Year Business was started in New Haven: 2019

Why did you start your own business?

After years of working in various macro-level state and non-profit organizations, and having children, I knew that I needed to find a job that allowed for flexibility with my schedule. I wanted to be present for my children.

Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?

I grew up in the Hill. Many of my family resided in the Hill as well. I attended Parochial Elementary/middle School(Sacred Heart Parochial School) and Saint Mary’s High School. Most of my employment from the age of 14 to the present has been in New Haven. New Haven has afforded me awesome childhood memories however, I recognized very early on and even as a teen that there was/is work that needs to be done within my community. At the time I didn’t know what that meant however it wasn’t until Grad School, while working at the New Haven Health Department and completing my internship with the public Department that I understood the depth of work surrounding systemic disparities needed to be done. While completing my internship, I had the opportunity to assist with a project that the New Haven Health Department was working on re: Maternal Health and prematurity, Heart disease, diabetes, poverty. Education, employment, and nutrition. Finding solutions to systemic disparities that affected urbanized communities was and still part of the New Haven Health Department as well as my business-ensuring that individuals and families overall well-being is stabilized through prevention and intervention services. Lastly, As an African American Woman with post-higher education, life experience and along with an extensive work history surrounding the community and mental health I understand the direct impact historical racism has on people of color no matter one’s level of learning. As a child I understood many things I felt in school however I didn’t know how or what it was called at the time, but it was evident. As an adult, I knew I wanted to assist with creating effective change for all.

What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?

I didn’t have to change myself or the mission I created regarding serving the community or all individuals in need. I am still learning as I go. Partnerships with like-minded businesses. Community members and volunteers is also important. At this, juncture, you will have to say “no” sometimes, and it is okay. I have stayed true to serving the community, as I will always see it as a “Ministry of help.”

WYBC & Yale University salute Soulful Threads

Name: Krystina Jackson

Business Name: Soulful Threads, 1022 Chapel Street, New Haven.

Year Business was started in New Haven: November 2020. Storefront on Chapel opened on November 15th 2023. We are a new store!

Why did you start your own business?

After graduating with my master’s in social work from UConn in 2020, I like many others lost their jobs when Covid hit. I decided to pick up some side jobs to help cover the bills and selling clothes became one of them. I got great feedback from people saying I had a great eye and its led from one opportunity to the next. I’ve always been a girl addicted to retail, so this was the perfect dream for me to work towards.

Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?

After considering many other locations, both inside and out of the state, I chose New Haven because of its dedication to progressive change downtown. The culture is growing here, and young people are now looking here as a great place to build a life. No matter who you are, you can find your niche in New Haven. The only thing it was missing was a place for curated 90s/y2k vintage, which is the hole we have tasked ourselves with filling.

What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?

In December 2021, I lost my brother and only sibling to a rare cancer that took him within a year of diagnoses. Grief is by far the hardest thing i’ve dealt with. Especially being in my young adulthood. My brother was a computer programmer who helped start the makings of what is now our website. I made it my mission after he died to make Soulful a success and here we are in one of the Shops at Yale 2 years since he passed.

WYBC & Yale University salute Transformerz Barber Shop

Name: Levon Majesty Whitaker

Business Name: Transformerz Barber Shop, 1440 Whalley Avenue, New Haven.

Year Business was started in New Haven: 2011

Why did you start your own business?
I wanted to control my own destiny.

Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
I chose New Haven because it’s where I resided.

What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
My biggest challenge was overcoming and understanding credit.

WYBC Lunch Club with D’Amato’s Seafood: January 2024

Audrey, working at New Haven Apparel & Boutique, is the 94.3 WYBC Virtual Lunch Club winner for the month of January 2024! Audrey and her boss Gary enjoyed a delicious lunch with Wanda Coppage on zoom, courtesy of D’Amatos Seafood on Whalley Avenue in New Haven!

Want to have a virtual lunch with Wanda? Go to our WYBC Contest Page and enter to win!

DeDe In The Morning

Meet DeDe:

DeDe McGuire, the hardest working woman in radio. A trailblazer and industry leader who has been entertaining radio audiences for years.

Entertaining, empowering, and enlightening are just a few words that describe the powerhouse media mogul. This talented and award-winning personality is one of only a few women nationwide to have her own morning show. After co-hosting the nationally syndicated radio program “The Doug Banks Show”, DeDe now hosts her own nationally syndicated radio show, “DeDe in the Morning”, heard weekday mornings on 94.3 WYBC!

About DeDe In The Morning:

DeDe is the host of “DeDe in the Morning” on 94.3 WYBC. The show is on air Monday through Friday from 5AM until 10AM. The show also features New Haven’s own Darryl Huckaby with local news and giveaways!

Like many morning shows, it’s a mix of the silly and the serious, with discussions ranging from news topics, hip-hop culture, and community events, to comedy bits like the “Mad Minute,” in which listeners prank-call friends and relatives, stirring them up into bleeped-out freenzies.

Listen to 94.3 WYBC “DeDe in the Morning” live weekdays from 5AM until 10AM or stream online at www.943wybc.com.

DeDe In The Morning $1,000 Dollar Minute Game!

You could win $1,000 with DeDe In The Morning!

DeDe is giving away free cash every morning with the $1000 Minute Game. Just answer all 10 of her trivia questions and you’ll win a grand! And if you don’t get them all right, she’ll break you off with $10 for every answer that you get right. So everyone wins free money!

SIGN UP HERE

Contest Rules