In this episode, we're joined by Paul Williams—a dynamic CEO, multi-business owner, tech strategist, and national community leader. As the force behind Absolutely Trophies Inc. and GI Integrated Computer Solutions, Paul has built businesses that serve everyone from major institutions to local communities. But his influence doesn’t stop there—he’s also the founder of the Inner City Handball Association, a Hall of Fame athlete, and a nationally recognized mentor and nonprofit leader.

About Paul

Paul Williams, CEO of Absolutely Trophies Inc. MBE located in Bayside Queens is a custom recognition awards builder, promotional products provider and custom sports apparel supplier . Paul’s is also CEO of GI Integrated Computer Solutions Inc. a small business IT consulting company specializing in hardware and software solutions.

Paul is a native of Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn and current Brooklyn resident. He is an alumnus of Brooklyn Technical H.S., Hunter College, Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Program and Hofstra Ascend Program. Paul has an Associate degree in Physics, and Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Paul has a strong sense of giving back to the community that has helped him obtain success and welcomes teen interns annually in his businesses .

In 1991, Paul founded the 33-year-old Inner City Handball Association Inc., a 501C3 charity which educates, mentors and serves hundreds of young athletes each year through the sport of Handball, in addition to serving on the Board of Managers for the Jamaica Queens YMCA. Paul also is the current Chairman of the New York Athletic Club Elite Handball team helping to develop world class Handball champions.

Paul is a National USHA Handball and NY State Handball Hall of Fame member. He was also the first African American to serve on the board and as Vice President of the United States Handball Association and as President of the World Handball Council. Paul is also a recipient of the 2022 Queens Borough President & United States Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards for Community Service.

You can connect with him on social:

INSTAGRAM
@ichandball
https://www.instagram.com/absolutelytrophies/

FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/AbsolutelyTrophiesInc/#

LINKEDIN
https://www.linkedin.com/in/absolutelytrophies

WEBSITE
https://www.absolutelytrophies.com/

MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
https://www.blackenterprise.com/how-this-entrepreneur-reinvented-himself-to-become-a-winner-in-the-trophy-business/

This episode features Frederick Towles, an accountant, author, speaker, and finance coach committed to helping others unlock their full potential.

As the founder of The Towles Group Inc., Frederick empowers individuals and small businesses with the tools they need for financial freedom, leadership, and long-term success. He also leads a non-profit, Unlimited Expectations Inc., where he teaches youth about money and entrepreneurship.

Connect with Frederick on his social accounts:

INSTAGRAM - @mrtowles @towlesgroup
TIKTOK - @fredtowles
YOUTUBE - @fredericktowles2933
LINKEDIN - Frederick Towles
WEBSITE - www.thetowlesgroupinc.com
FACEBOOK - facebook.com/TheTowlesGroupInc
TWITTER - www.twitter.com/TTGInc

In this episode, we're joined by Coralie Saint-Louis—a journalist-turned-media and tech entrepreneur with a mission to reshape how we consume news.

Coralie is the creator of Enpak, a social media app delivering real-time, verified local news from accredited journalists—designed to build more informed and civically engaged communities. With deep roots in Haiti and a passion for inclusive media, Coralie is leading the way in tech for good.

Connect with her on her social channels:

• Instagram: @enpaksocial
• TikTok: @enpaksocial
• YouTube: @tdnmedia
• LinkedIn: Coralie Saint-Louis and Enpak Social
• Website: https://enpaksocial.com/

On this episode of the ideaHUb Innovators Podcast, our host, Dr. Lutisha Vickerie, sits down with Kenia Osorio-Wellington of Kear Solutions.

The idea for “Kear Solutions” came from a suggestion from Kenia’s father-in-law. He saw that there was a big opportunity to clean commercial offices. Many people were unhappy with the cleaning services they had, and Kenia knew she could provide a much better level of service. Kenia says, “We want them to come into the office the next day and feel like they walked into a clean healthy environment.” Even though she hated helping her mom clean when she was younger, Kenia knew this was a great opportunity to provide a quality service and provide for her family; so, her and her husband started Kear Solutions.

For Kenia, the most challenging part of being a business owner is making sure she defines and sticks to her priorities and goals. She has to balance a lot of different elements of life (including two kids who are both under the age of two!) and it can be hard to make sure God, friends, family, and work are all aligned. That said, Kenia finds being a business owner to be very rewarding and has loved being able to give back to the community by creating jobs and providing quality services. She loves “doing life” with all of her employees and makes sure that she builds personal relationships with each of her employees.

In five years, Kenia has plans for her business to be thriving and fully competing with other business. She also hopes that her business can make a big impact in the Corridor and can help create many jobs for her community. In the Ascend program, Kenia is enjoying building lots of new connections who can help her achieve her goals. About the program she says, “I felt blessed to be surrounded by great entrepreneurs who decided to say yes no matter what the circumstances are.” She also says that Ascend is providing her with a space to really learn and critically think about how to grow her business.

Kenia says that starting and owning a business is like raising a child, but it is worth it! To aspiring entrepreneurs, she encourages them to take the leap and use their gifts and talents to make a difference in the world. She also urges entrepreneurs to not focus on the money; rather to focus on what they are passionate about because that is how their business will succeed.

Kenia is extremely busy with parenting, working a regular part-time job, and running a business, but she still makes sure to set aside time for herself. She loves reading, praying, and meditating. She also gets massages with her employees once a month to help relax from the hard work they do on a daily basis.

On this episode of the ideaHUb Innovators Podcast, our host, Dr. Lutisha Vickerie, sits down with Marie Saint-Cyr, owner of Saint-Cyr Art Studio.

Marie E. Saint-Cyr is a visionary artist, muralist, and the Founder & CEO of Saint-Cyr Art Studio. Marie has transformed public spaces through large-scale murals while fostering art education and community engagement. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, she built a million-dollar mural company in just three years, participated in over 11 business development programs, and continues to create opportunities for artists. Join us as we explore her journey in bridging art, business, and community impact.

About Marie

In 2018, Marie graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology and studied Studio Art at the Lorenzo De Medici in Florence, Italy. In just 3 years Marie was awarded a one-year residency with the Haiti Cultural Exchange, an art and business fellowship with the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, started her $1M mural company, participated in 11+ Business development programs such as Goldman Sachs and Tuck School of Business; all while creating employment opportunities for artists and engaging communities in the mural making process. When she is not painting or running her business, Marie can be found traveling the world and trying out new foods!